Association of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Antibody Vaccine Response With Infection Severity in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Lee Lennard Y. W. , Tilby Michael , Starkey Thomas , Ionescu Maria C. , Burnett Alex , Hattersley Rosie , Khan Sam , Little Martin , Liu Justin K. H. , Platt James R. , Tripathy Arvind , Watts Isabella , Williams Sophie Therese , Appanna Nathan , Al-Hajji Youssra , Barnard Matthew , Benny Liza , Buckley Andrew , Cattell Emma , Cheng Vinton , Clark James , Eastlake Leonie , Gerrand Kate , Ghafoor Qamar , Grumett Simon , Harper-Wynne Catherine , Kahn Rachel , Lee Alvin J. X. , Lydon Anna , McKenzie Hayley , Panneerselvam Hari , Pascoe Jennifer , Patel Grisma , Patel Vijay , Potter Vanessa , Randle Amelia , Rigg Anne S. , Robinson Tim , Roylance Rebecca , Roques Tom , Rozmanowski Stefan , Roux René L. , Shah Ketan , Sintler Martin , Taylor Harriet , Tillett Tania , Tuthill Mark , Williams Sarah , Beggs Andrew , Iveson Tim , Lee Siow Ming , Middleton Gary , Middleton Mark , Protheroe Andrew S. , Fittall Matthew W. , Fowler Tom , Johnson Peter ,   UK COVID Cancer Programme, Kinloch Emma  , Lam Emily , Murphy Gillian  , Rhodes Malcolm , Robinson Kate , Swarup Sanskriti , Bernhardt Keeley , Bytyci Jola , Ying Yuxin , Johal Sukhmunni , Sheehan Remarez 
Published: December 2022

Importance

Accurate identification of patient groups with the lowest level of protection following COVID-19 vaccination is important to better target resources and interventions for the most vulnerable populations. It is not known whether SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing has clinical utility for high-risk groups, such as people with cancer.

Objective

To evaluate whether spike protein antibody vaccine response (COV-S) following COVID-19 vaccination is associated with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection or hospitalization among patients with cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a population-based cross-sectional study of patients with cancer from the UK as part of the National COVID Cancer Antibody Survey. Adults with a known or reported cancer diagnosis who had completed their primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination schedule were included. This analysis ran from September 1, 2021, to March 4, 2022, a period covering the expansion of the UK’s third-dose vaccination booster program.

Interventions

Anti–SARS-CoV-2 COV-S antibody test (Elecsys; Roche).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Odds of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection and COVID-19 hospitalization.

Results

The evaluation comprised 4249 antibody test results from 3555 patients with cancer and 294 230 test results from 225 272 individuals in the noncancer population. The overall cohort of 228 827 individuals (patients with cancer and the noncancer population) comprised 298 479 antibody tests. The median age of the cohort was in the age band of 40 and 49 years and included 182 741 test results (61.22%) from women and 115 737 (38.78%) from men. There were 279 721 tests (93.72%) taken by individuals identifying as White or White British. Patients with cancer were more likely to have undetectable anti-S antibody responses than the general population (199 of 4249 test results [4.68%] vs 376 of 294 230 [0.13%]; P &amp;lt; .001). Patients with leukemia or lymphoma had the lowest antibody titers. In the cancer cohort, following multivariable correction, patients who had an undetectable antibody response were at much greater risk for SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% CI, 1.96-4.72; P &amp;lt; .001) and SARS-CoV-2–related hospitalization (OR, 6.48; 95% CI, 3.31-12.67; P &amp;lt; .001) than individuals who had a positive antibody response.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that COV-S antibody testing allows the identification of patients with cancer who have the lowest level of antibody-derived protection from COVID-19. This study supports larger evaluations of SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients with cancer should be prioritized to minimize impact on cancer treatments and maximize quality of life for individuals with cancer during the ongoing pandemic.