A new study found that almost all cancer patients, who received their second dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines after three to four weeks, developed a good immune response.
However, the fact that a small group of the patients showed no response raised concerns about how their protection against the virus will be addressed moving forward.
Of the 131 patients studied, 94% developed anti-coronavirus antibodies. Seven high-risk patients missed it.
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Dr Dimpy P. Shah is the corresponding author of this report. Co-authors are from the Mays Cancer Center and the University of Geneva.
Of the high-risk groups, patients receiving treatment known as rituximab within six months of vaccination did not develop any antibodies. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat hematological cancers and autoimmune disorders.
Patients under chemotherapy which is toxic to cells developed antibody response, but it was muted when compared to the general population.
The new delta variant of COVID and other mutants of the COVID-19 virus were not considered as part of this study. Nor has the team analysed the response of T and B lymphocytes that fight infection in cancer patients.
The average age of the subjects in the study was 63 years. The majority of patients (106) had solid cancers rather than malignant hematological tumours (25). 80% of the population was non-Hispanic white, 18% Hispanic and 2% Black.
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In countries where there is no vaccination, it is said that one dose could give enough protection, but this may not be case for patients with cancer, said Dr Dimpy Shah.
According to Dr.Pankil Shah, the study is unique because, unlike some previous studies that assessed the immune response on the day of the second dose or within seven days, the study waited three to four weeks for outcomes.
High-risk cancer patients, particularly those receiving anti-CD20 antibodies, should continue to take precautions even after vaccination, says the study.
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The results of the study were published in the journal “Cancer Cell”.
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