Reducedhumoral response against variants of concern in childhood solid cancer patients compared to adult patients and healthy children after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

IntroductionAlthough there is extended research on the response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in adult cancer patients (ACP), the immunogenicity to the variants of concern (VOCs) in childhood cancer patients (CCP) and safety profiles are now little known. MethodsA prospective, multi-center cohort study was performed by recruiting children with a solid cancer diagnosis and childhood healthy control (CHC) to receive standard two-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. An independent ACP group was included to match CCP in treatment history. Humoral response to six variants was performed and adverse events were followed up 3 months after vaccination. Responses to variants were compared with ACP and CHC by means of propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. ResultsThe analysis included 111 CCP (27.2%, median age of 8, quartile 5.5-15 years), 134 CHC (32.8%), and 163 ACP (40.0%), for a total 408 patients. Pathology included carcinoma, neural tumors, sarcoma, and germ cell tumors. Median chemotherapy time was 7 (quartile, 5-11) months. In PSM sample pairs, the humoral response of CCP against variants was significantly decreased, and serology titers (281.8 +/- 315.5 U/ml) were reduced, as compared to ACP (p< 0.01 for the rate of neutralization rate against each variant) and CHC (p< 0.01 for the rate of neutralization against each variant) groups. Chemotherapy time and age (Pearson r >= 0.8 for all variants) were associated with the humoral response against VOCs of the CHC group. In the CCP group, less than grade II adverse events were observed, including 32 patients with local reactions, and 29 patients had systemic adverse events, including fever (n = 9), rash (n = 20), headache (n = 3), fatigue (n = 11), and myalgia (n = 15). All reactions were well-managed medically. ConclusionsThe humoral response against VOCs after the CoronaVac vaccination in CCP was moderately impaired although the vaccine was safe. Age and chemotherapy time seem to be the primary reason for poor response and low serology levels.

Automated summary

This study investigated the immune response and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in childhood cancer patients (CCP). The results showed that CCP had a weaker immune response to the variants of concern (VOCs) compared to adult cancer patients (ACP) and healthy children. Age and chemotherapy time were identified as the main factors contributing to the poor response in CCP. The vaccine was generally safe with mild adverse events that were well-managed.