Production and persistence of specific antibodies in COVID-19 patients with hematologic malignancies: role of rituximab

• DOI: 10.1038/s41408-021-00546-9
• Publication Date: 2021-09-14T11:03:20Z
• Authors: C. Cattaneo; V. Cancelli; L. Imberti; K. Dobbs; A. Sottini; C. Pagani; A. Belotti; A. Re; A. Anastasia; V. Quaresima; A. Tucci; J. A. Chiorini; H. C. Su; J. I. Cohen; P. D. Burbelo; G. Rossi; L. D. Notarangelo
• Keywords: Seroconversion; Hematology; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Follicular lymphoma

Abstract The ability of patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) to develop an effective humoral immune response after COVID-19 is unknown. A prospective study was performed monitor the SARS-CoV-2 follicular lymphoma (FL), diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL), chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (CLD), multiple myeloma (MM), or myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndromes (MDS/MPN). Antibody (Ab) levels nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) protein were measured at +1, +3, +6 months nasal swabs became PCR-negative. Forty-five (9 FL, 8 DLBCL, CLD, 10 MM, MDS/MPS) 18 controls studied. Mean anti-N anti-S-Ab similar between HM controls, shared same behavior, Ab declining remaining stable. Seroconversion rates lower in than controls. In mean seroconversion other patients, primarily because all nine who had received rituximab within 6 before failed produce anti-S-Ab. Only one patient requiring hematological treatment lost seropositivity months. No reinfections observed. These results may inform vaccination policies clinical management patients.