Humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in patients with prostate cancer using steroids.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of concomitant steroid use on the antibody response to a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with prostate cancer (PC) remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the rates of antispike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in patients with PC using steroids. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted from June 21, 2021 to January 5, 2022 included 215 patients with PC who received the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine at least 7 days before the measurement of titers of IgG antibodies against the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. We compared the rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG ≥15 U/mL between patients with or without concomitant steroid use. RESULTS: Of 215, we identified 33 patients who had concomitant steroid use. Of these, 12 and 21 patients were metastatic castration-sensitive PC and castration-resistant PC (CRPC), respectively. Patients with concomitant steroid use had a significantly lower rate of antibody titer ≥15 U/mL than those without steroid use (82% vs. 95%, P = 0.021). Patients with CRPC with concomitant steroid use (n =21) also had a lower rate of antibody titer ≥15 U/mL (71%) than those without steroid use (93%, P = 0.051), although this was not statistically different. Increased number of systemic treatments administered after diagnosis of CRPC (3 lines or more) were significantly associated with antibody titers <15 U/mL (97% vs. 77%, P <0.001). CONCLUSION: The humoral response to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was significantly lower in patients with concomitant steroid use. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody titers were affected by CRPC status, the accumulation of post-CRPC treatments, and steroid use.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies after the second BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in Japanese kidney transplant recipients.

We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and investigated factors associated with seropositivity after the second SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. This retrospective study conducted between June and November 2021 included 106 KT recipients and 127 healthy controls who received the second dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine at least 7 days before the measurement of antibody titers. The antibody titer against the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein was determined. We compared seroprevalence rates (immunoglobulin G [IgG] level of ≥ 0.8 or ≥ 15 U/mL) between the healthy controls and KT recipients and identified factors associated with impaired humoral response. The seroprevalence rate of the healthy controls and KT recipients was 98% and 22%, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age > 53 years, rituximab use, mycophenolate mofetil use, and KT vintage < 7 years were negatively associated with the rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG ≥ 15 U/mL in KT recipients. ABO blood type incompatible KT was not significantly associated with seroprevalence. Humoral response after the second BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was greatly hindered by immunosuppression therapy in KT recipients. Older age, rituximab use, mycophenolate mofetil use, and KT vintage may play key roles in seroconversion.

Effect of active anticancer therapy on serologic response to SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with urothelial and renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serologic response to the BNT162b2 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine in patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Between June 2021 and November 2021, we retrospectively evaluated blood samples from 60 healthy controls (control group), 57 patients with urothelial carcinoma, and 28 patients with renal cell carcinoma who had received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine at Hirosaki University Hospital. We determined the immunoglobulin G antibody titers against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike receptor-binding domain. Seropositivity was defined as ≥15 U/mL. We investigate factors associated with antibody titers and seropositivity in the patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. RESULTS: Antibody titers in the control, urothelial carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma groups were 813, 431, and 500 U/mL, respectively. Seropositivity was 100%, 90%, and 96% in the control, urothelial carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma groups, respectively. Of the 85 patients, 37 of 57 (65%) and 21 of 28 (75%) were actively undergoing anticancer treatment for urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma, respectively. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike immunoglobulin G antibody titers and seropositivity was not significantly different between the patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike immunoglobulin G antibody titers were not significantly associated with active anticancer therapy or steroid treatment for immune-related adverse events. Univariable logistic regression analysis revealed that older age and metastatic disease were significantly and negatively associated with seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with urothelial carcinoma or renal cell carcinoma exhibited an adequate antibody response to the BNT162b2 vaccine. Active anticancer therapy was not significantly associated with seropositivity following vaccination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 BNT162b2 in patients with urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma.