Indications for and Contraindications of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Patients with COVID-19 Vaccination

Luo, Bangyu; Li, Jixi; Hou, Xianhua; Yang, Qiao; Zhou, Yi; Ye, Jun; Wu, Xiao‐Cheng; Feng, Yimei; Hu, Tianyu; Xu, Zhi; He, Ying; Sun, Jianping

doi:10.2217/fon-2021-0288

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several studies have evaluated the use of mRNA vaccines in patients treated with ICIs, and initial results showed an efficacy of the BNT162b2 vaccine in cancer patients treated with ICIs comparable to that of the general population in terms of both humoral and cell immune responses, while irAE rates were low [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunogenicity and Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Melanoma Treated with Immunotherapy

Diamantopoulos

Kontandreopoulou

Gkoufa

et al. 2022

Cancers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The BNT162b2 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 has a proven efficacy and a favorable safety profile. In cancer patients under immunotherapy in the form of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the efficacy of the vaccine has not been thoroughly studied, while a theoretical concern has also been raised about triggering immune-related adverse events (irAEs) by the vaccine. We conducted a prospective, non-interventional study on the immunogenicity and safety of the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma treated with ICIs. Blood samples were obtained 0–4 days before the first dose and 12–21 days after the second dose of the vaccine for the quantification of the SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody using an ELISA and immunophenotyping of the T and myeloid cell subpopulations. The active recording of AEs for a two-month period was conducted. Forty patients were included in the study. All but one (97.3%) achieved seroconversion after two doses of the vaccine and no correlations of the antibody titers with any of the studied parameters (age, gender, stage and duration of the disease, type of ICI, previous treatment, etc.) were found. Moreover, no differences in the subpopulations of the T cells (including the T-regulatory cells) or the myeloid cells were found pre- and post-vaccination. All AEs were low-grade, while one case of arthritis exacerbation was noted. The seroconversion rate in the studied population was high and was comparable to that of healthy subjects, while no major safety issues were raised during the safety follow-up. Finally, no derangements in the subpopulations of T cells or myeloid cells were noted. This is the first study focusing on the immunogenicity, safety, and effect of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on the blood-cell immunophenotype status of patients with melanoma treated with ICIs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunogenicity and Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Melanoma Treated with Immunotherapy

Diamantopoulos

Kontandreopoulou

Gkoufa

et al. 2022

Cancers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finally, since the main purpose of this report was to evaluate the short‐term safety of the COVID‐19 vaccine in those receiving lung cancer treatment, we could not examine its long‐term safety. Serious complications (stroke and myocardial infarction) and adverse events of immunotherapy have been the focus of recent attention 20,21 and will be examined in a number of cases during an observation period. At this time, our study is considered to be the result of ensuring the safety of vaccination in patients with lung cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Short‐term safety of an anti‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine for patients with advanced lung cancer treated with anticancer drugs: A multicenter, prospective, observational study

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Since 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become prevalent worldwide. In severe cases, the case fatality rate is high, and vaccine prevention is important. This study evaluated the safety of receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving anticancer therapy. Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients receiving anticancer drugs for advanced lung cancer who planned to receive SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Early adverse events within 7 days of vaccine injection were evaluated using patient-reported surveys. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among 120 patients receiving lung cancer treatment, 73 were men; the mean age of the patients was 73.5 years. The treatments received for lung cancer at the time of the first vaccine injection were chemotherapy, ICIs, combined chemotherapy and ICIs, and targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in 30, 28, 17, and 45 patients, respectively. All patients received SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. After the second mRNA vaccine dose, 15.4% of patients had fever of 38 C (95% confidence interval: 9.34%-23.2%); this rate was slightly higher than that for healthy participants at the time of the BNT162b2 trial. Patients treated with cytotoxic anticancer drugs tended to have high fever. In the multivariate analyses, male sex was associated with higher fever frequencies. However, there were no serious early adverse events due to vaccination. Conclusions: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination tends to be safe, but fever following vaccination tends to be more common among patients undergoing lung cancer treatment than among healthy individuals.

show abstract

“…The number of adverse events in this study was similar to patient-reported experiences in our study and to healthy controls with the exception of muscle pain which was more present in patients with cancer. 30 In addition, Luo et al 31 reported that patients receiving single immune checkpoint inhibitors experienced the typical adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination. However, in case of combined immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, anti-CTLA-4), the amount of immune-related adverse events might be increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Behavior After Vaccination and Opinions Toward Mask Wearing: Thoracic Oncology Patient–Reported Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bolt

Tufman

Sellmer

et al. 2022

Clin Med Insights Oncol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The COVID-19 vaccines, face masks, and social distancing are effective interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we aimed to determine lung cancer patients’ attitudes toward vaccination, changes in behavior after vaccination, and willingness to continue mask wearing after the pandemic. Methods: We sent out questionnaires to 220 thoracic oncology patients treated at our lung cancer center in May 2021. The questionnaire focused on patients’ vaccination status, self-reported experiences surrounding vaccination, and assessed changes in behaviors before and after vaccination as well as opinions toward mask wearing after the pandemic. Results are presented as absolute and relative frequencies and means with standard deviation and compared using t test, paired t test, and analysis of variance test as well as chi2 test, and Fisher exact text. Results: About 91.0% of patients reported having received at least 1 vaccination. About 73.3% of patients reported having at least 1 reaction to the vaccination. The most common reactions were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. After vaccination, patients increased contact with family and friends, use of public transport, and grocery shopping. Overall, the level of willingness to wear masks beyond the end of the pandemic differed according to vaccination status. Conclusions: Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination among thoracic oncology patients in Germany was high. Overall, patients with thoracic malignancies tolerated the COVID-19 vaccination well. Rate of adverse reaction was not higher compared with the general population. After the vaccination, patients increased social contacts and usage of public transport. These changes suggest positive psychological effects on quality of life. While reducing social distancing can increase the risk of infection, our results indicate that an extension of mask mandates after the pandemic would likely be accepted by a majority of thoracic oncology patients, suggesting that our cohort was still aware and in support of other measure of protection.

show abstract

Indications for and Contraindications of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cancer Patients with COVID-19 Vaccination

Cited by 24 publications

References 42 publications

Immunogenicity and Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Melanoma Treated with Immunotherapy

Immunogenicity and Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Melanoma Treated with Immunotherapy

Short‐term safety of an anti‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA vaccine for patients with advanced lung cancer treated with anticancer drugs: A multicenter, prospective, observational study

Changes in Behavior After Vaccination and Opinions Toward Mask Wearing: Thoracic Oncology Patient–Reported Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About