Long-term immune response to mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with cancer
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with cancer are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 but were underrepresented in pivotal vaccine trials. Data on the magnitude and determinants of immune responses to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population remain limited. Methods: I-SPARC is a prospective, phase IV clinical trial evaluating humoral and cellular immune responses to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in 115 patients with cancer, including those receiving systemic therapy and those in remission. Anti-Spike antibody titers were measured longitudinally, and immunophenotyping was performed to assess T and B cell subsets. Clinical outcomes, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, were recorded. Results: All patients developed detectable anti-Spike antibodies, although absolute titers varied by cancer type and treatment. Patients with hematologic malignancies and/or receiving chemotherapy had the lowest anti-Spike antibody levels. Booster doses significantly increased titers, particularly in patients in remission or receiving non-cytotoxic therapies. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and the number of vaccine doses were associated with better responses. Immunophenotyping confirmed vaccine-induced expansion of memory T and B lymphocyte subpopulations. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 16% of our cohort, with infrequent severe cases. Discussion: mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with cancer, despite variability according to disease type and treatment. These findings support the use of booster strategies and provide a rationale for tailored vaccination approaches in immunocompromised populations.
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BibTeX
@article{lobomartins2026longterm,
title = {{Long-term immune response to mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with cancer}},
author = {Soraia Lobo-Martins and Diogo Martins-Branco and Francine Padonou and Hafid Dahma and Sigi van den Wijngaert and Mounia Jaouart and Chiara Dauccia and Chiara Molinelli and Elisa Agostinetto and Angela Loizidou and Donatienne Taylor and Anais Boisson and Soizic Garaud and Chloé Spilleboudt and Jose Vicente Cardona and Peter Ramge and Bogdana Ioana Balas and Mohammed Bajji and Fanny George and Tabatha Delsaute and Marianne Paesmans and Lieveke Ameye and Martine Piccart and Evandro de Azambuja and Karen Willard-Gallo},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1815933},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05772320v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Long-term immune response to mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with cancer
AU - Soraia Lobo-Martins
AU - Diogo Martins-Branco
AU - Francine Padonou
AU - Hafid Dahma
AU - Sigi van den Wijngaert
AU - Mounia Jaouart
AU - Chiara Dauccia
AU - Chiara Molinelli
AU - Elisa Agostinetto
AU - Angela Loizidou
AU - Donatienne Taylor
AU - Anais Boisson
AU - Soizic Garaud
AU - Chloé Spilleboudt
AU - Jose Vicente Cardona
AU - Peter Ramge
AU - Bogdana Ioana Balas
AU - Mohammed Bajji
AU - Fanny George
AU - Tabatha Delsaute
AU - Marianne Paesmans
AU - Lieveke Ameye
AU - Martine Piccart
AU - Evandro de Azambuja
AU - Karen Willard-Gallo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/20
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1815933
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05772320v1
AB - Introduction: Patients with cancer are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 but were underrepresented in pivotal vaccine trials. Data on the magnitude and determinants of immune responses to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in this population remain limited. Methods: I-SPARC is a prospective, phase IV clinical trial evaluating humoral and cellular immune responses to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in 115 patients with cancer, including those receiving systemic therapy and those in remission. Anti-Spike antibody titers were measured longitudinally, and immunophenotyping was performed to assess T and B cell subsets. Clinical outcomes, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, were recorded. Results: All patients developed detectable anti-Spike antibodies, although absolute titers varied by cancer type and treatment. Patients with hematologic malignancies and/or receiving chemotherapy had the lowest anti-Spike antibody levels. Booster doses significantly increased titers, particularly in patients in remission or receiving non-cytotoxic therapies. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and the number of vaccine doses were associated with better responses. Immunophenotyping confirmed vaccine-induced expansion of memory T and B lymphocyte subpopulations. SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred in 16% of our cohort, with infrequent severe cases. Discussion: mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses in patients with cancer, despite variability according to disease type and treatment. These findings support the use of booster strategies and provide a rationale for tailored vaccination approaches in immunocompromised populations.
SN - 1664-3224
SN - 1664-3224
ER -