B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma following intravenous BNT162b2 mRNA booster in a BALB/c mouse: A case report

Abstract

Unprecedented immunization campaigns have been rolled out worldwide in an attempt to contain the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple vaccines were brought to the market, among two utilizing novel messenger ribonucleic acid technology. Despite their undisputed success in decreasing COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and mortality, various adverse events have been reported. The emergence of malignant lymphoma is one of such rare adverse events that has raised concern, although an understanding of the mechanisms potentially involved remains lacking. Herein, we present the first case of B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma following intravenous high-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (BNT162b2) in a BALB/c mouse. Two days following booster vaccination (i.e., 16 days after prime), at only 14 weeks of age, our animal suffered spontaneous death with marked organomegaly and diffuse malignant infiltration of multiple extranodal organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen) by lymphoid neoplasm. Immunohistochemical examination revealed organ sections positive for CD19, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, and c-MYC, compatible with a B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma immunophenotype. Our murine case adds to previous clinical reports on malignant lymphoma development following novel mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, although a demonstration of direct causality remains difficult. Extra vigilance is required, with conscientious reporting of similar cases and a further investigation of the mechanisms of action explaining the aforementioned association.

A Case Report of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)/Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LBL) Following the Second Dose of Comirnaty®: An Analysis of the Potential Pathogenic Mechanism Based on of the Existing Literature

“…An experimental COVID-19 genetic vaccine animal study involving 28 BALB/c mice, aimed at investigating the pathogenesis of myocarditis following modRNA COVID-19 vaccination, unexpectedly provided crucial insights into the carcinogenicity of these products [33]. Fourteen animals received saline solution, while the remaining were intravenously infused with the modRNA vaccine (BNT162b2).…”

The mRNA-LNP vaccines – the good, the bad and the ugly?

“…Anergic side effects, i.e., immune suppression, are presented as virus reactivation where viruses like varicella-zoster virus (VZV) ( 110 , 111 ) and hepatitis C virus ( 112 ) reoccur following COVID-19 mRNA vaccine injection. Furthermore, have also been reported to likely increase the risks in sensitivity to infections ( 100 , 101 , 113 ) and potentially disturbance of cancer immunosurveillance ( 114 – 117 ). How can a platform both activate and suppress immune responses?…”

“…The observation that protection against omicron infection waned gradually by month after the booster and seventh month and thereafter, the incidence of infection was higher among people who had the booster compared to those with only the primary series ( 119 ), and COVID-19 incidence increases with the number of shots ( 100 – 102 ) and immunoreactivity decreases ( 97 ), and viruses can reactivate ( 110 , 112 ), and cancer patients relapse or new cancer develop ( 114 – 117 , 120 ), seems to indicate that exposure to the mRNA-LNP platform puts people or certain people into a semi-immunodeficient/immunosuppressed state. In line with this, mouse studies have shown that even one-time exposure to mRNA-LNP or LNP can inhibit adaptive immune responses and alter innate immune fitness in an inheritable fashion ( 99 ).…”

Ethics of Nudging in the COVID-19 Crisis and the Necessary Return to the Principles of Shared Decision Making: A Critical Review

“…The authors then refer to the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and even mention the serious side effects of blood clots, which might even increase vaccine hesitancy if patients were not given information weighing these risks against the risk of contracting the virus. If SDM delivers evidence-based, trustworthy information, then people should be informed that COVID-19 is mainly a disease that predominantly affects older people and/or is a serious disease for those with major complications and that the vaccines may have serious adverse effects [23][24][25][160][161][162][163]. Therefore, the aim of SDM should not be to promote a mass vaccination campaign in COVID-19 as this would be unethical in the light of the massive risk differences in different age and morbidity groups [158,164].…”