Comparative Assessment of the Kinetics of Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to COVID-19 Vaccination in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: The kinetics of immune responses to various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in cancer patients were investigated. Methods: In total, 57 cancer patients who received BNT162b2-RNA or BBIBP-CorV vaccines were enrolled. Cellular and humoral immunity were assessed at three-time points, before the first vaccine dose and 14–21 days after the first and second doses. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was used to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG response, and QuantiFERON® SARS-CoV-2 kit assessed T-cell response. Results: Data showed that cancer patients’ CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-median IFN-γ secretion of SARS-CoV-2 antigens increased after the first and second vaccine doses (p = 0.027 and p = 0.042). BNT162b2 vaccinees had significantly higher IFN-γ levels to CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes than BBIBP-CorV vaccinees (p = 0.028). There was a positive correlation between IgG antibody titer and T cell response regardless of vaccine type (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study is one of the first to investigate cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 immunization in cancer patients on active therapy after each vaccine dose. COVID-19 immunizations helped cancer patients develop an effective immune response. Understanding the cellular and humoral immune response to COVID-19 in cancer patients undergoing active treatment is necessary to improve vaccines and avoid future SARS pandemics.

Keywords

• BNT162b2
• BBIBP-CorV-virus inactivated vaccine
• IFN-γ
• T-cell response
• IgG antibody titer