Immunogenicity and persistence of the 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) in patients with untreated Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM): A pilot study

Diagnosis and management of smouldering myeloma: A British Society for Haematology Good Practice Paper

Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow-based plasma cell tumour that develops from asymptomatic pre-cursor conditions smouldering myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance and all are characterised by the presence of a monoclonal protein in the blood. Diagnosis and distinction between these conditions is based on blood tests, the bone marrow biopsy and cross sectional imaging. There are various risk stratification models that group patients with smouldering myeloma into risk groups based on risk of progression to symptomatic disease. Management is mainly observational for patients with smouldering myeloma although clinical trials for high-risk disease may be available. Restaging is required if evidence for progression.

Prevention of infections including vaccination strategies in multiple myeloma

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma. The increased risk for bacterial and viral infections results mainly from the disease-inherent and treatment-induced immunosuppression. Additional risk factors are older age with immune senescence, T cell depletion, polymorbidity, and male gender. Hence, every effort should be taken to reduce the risk for infections by identifying patients at higher risk for these complications and by implementing prophylactic measures, including chemoprophylaxis and immunization against various relevant pathogens. Here, we review the available evidence and provide recommendations for medical prophylaxis and vaccination in clinical practice.

Immunogenicity profile after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with onco-hematological diseases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the influence of onco-hematological pathologies on seroconversion to COVID-19 vaccines, in addition to the effects of chemotherapy treatment on this response.

METHODS

The present study evaluated the immunogenic response of 76 patients with onco-hematological diseases to multiple vaccine platforms compared to 25 control individuals.

RESULTS

Our results showed positive response rates of 74.02% in patients with onco-hematological diseases and 100% in controls. When analyzed according to etiological group, patients with lymphoproliferative disorders achieved a positive vaccine response rate of 58.7%, whereas those with myeloproliferative diseases achieved a 100% response rate. We also observed that patients previously exposed to COVID-19 presented a 75% increase in their antibody values after vaccination, and these values were 37% higher than those of patients who did not have such exposure. We found that patients who underwent B-lymphocyte-depleting therapy in the last 2 years before vaccination had a worse response rate of 18.75%.

CONCLUSION

Despite the immunosuppression of patients with onco-hematological diseases, caused by the biology of their diseases and treatment, benefit and safety in vaccinating these patients are observed, in view of the important recall immune response and incidence of adverse effects similar to those of the healthy population.

Single-Dose 13-Valent Conjugate Pneumococcal Vaccine in People Living With HIV – Immunological Response and Protection

Background

Patients living with HIV (PLHIV) are prone to invasive pneumococcal disease. The 13-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) is currently recommended for all PLHIV, followed in most guidelines by a 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine. Data are scarce concerning the immunological efficacy of PCV13 among PLHIV.

Objective

To assess the immunological response at one month, and the immunological protection at 1-, 6-, and 12 months in PLHIV with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/µl after a single dose of PCV13, as measured by both ELISA and opsonophagocytic assay (OPA).

Methods

PLHIV with CD4 cell count >200 cells/µl were included. Specific IgG serum concentrations for eight serotypes by ELISA and seven serotypes by OPA were measured at baseline, 1-, 6-, and 12 months after the PCV13 vaccination. Global response was defined as a two-fold increase from baseline of specific IgG antibody levels (μg/ml) assayed by ELISA or as a four-fold increase in OPA titer from baseline, for at least five serotypes targeted by PCV13. Global protection was defined as an IgG-concentration ≥1 µg/ml by ELISA or as an opsonization titer ≥LLOQ by OPA for at least five tested serotypes targeted by PCV13. Factors associated with global response and global protection were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

Of the 38 PLHIV included, 57.9% and 63.2% were global responders, 92.1% and 78.9% were globally protected at one month, and 64.7% and 55.9% were still protected at 12 months, by ELISA and OPA respectively. A CD4/CD8 ratio of >0.8 was significantly associated with a better global response by OPA (OR=6.11, p=0.02), and a CD4 nadir <200 was significantly associated with a poorer global response by ELISA (OR=0.22, p=0.04). A CD4 cell count nadir <200 and age over 50 years were associated with poorer global protection by OPA at M1 (OR=0.18, p=0.04) and M12 (OR= 0.15, p=0.02), respectively. Plasma HIV RNA viral load <40 copies/ml was significantly associated with a better global protection at M1 by ELISA and OPA (OR=21.33, p=0.025 and OR=8.40, p=0.04)

Conclusion

Vaccination with PCV13 in these patients induced immunological response and protection at one month. At one year, more than half of patients were still immunologically protected.

The 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Elicits Serological Response and Lasting Protection in Selected Patients With Primary Humoral Immunodeficiency

Background

Patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency are more prone to invasive as well as recurrent pneumococcal infections. Therefore, anti-pneumococcal vaccination including the 13-valent conjugate vaccine is recommended. Nevertheless, to date, no data is available on immunogenicity of this vaccine in this population.

Objective

To assess the immunogenicity and the persistence of protection up to one year after a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with common variable immunodeficiency or IgG subclass deficiency were vaccinated. Immune response and immune protection at baseline as well as at one, six and twelve months after vaccination were evaluated by measuring specific IgG serum concentrations (ELISA), and opsonophagocytic activities directed against selected pneumococcal (MOPA).

Results

By ELISA, half of the patients had protective IgG concentrations before vaccination, 35.7% showed an immune response one month after vaccination, 71.4%, 66.7% and 56.0% of the patients were protected at one, six and twelve months respectively. Conversely, by MOPA, 3.4% of the patients were protected at baseline, 10.7% showed an immune response and 28.6%, 48.2% and 33.3% were protected at one, six and twelve months respectively. IgG subclass deficiency, Ig replacement therapy and higher IgG2 concentrations at diagnosis were associated with long-term protection.

Conclusion

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine improves immune protection and antibodies’ functionality in a subset of patients with primary immunodeficiency. Prime-boost vaccine strategy needs to be better and individually adapted.

Vaccination during the First Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma: A Cohort Study of the French National Health Insurance Database

Purpose: Infections are frequent and often result in serious complications in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Prophylactic vaccination is recommended for influenza virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), and Hemophilus influenzaeb (Hib). The aims of this study were to measure the vaccination rates within 24 months after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and to identify factors associated with vaccine use. Methods: MM patients were selected through the French national health insurance database from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015. Patients with a previous history of MM were excluded. Results: Vaccination rates against influenza, SP, and Hib among 22,831 newly diagnosed MM patients were, respectively, 28.5%, 10.3%, and 1.4%. Only 0.7% received all three vaccines. Factors associated with vaccination were young age, male gender, an absence of comorbidity, a history of higher medication and vaccine consumption, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and the use of pneumocystis prophylaxis. Conclusion: The low rates of vaccination indicate the need to improve physician and MM patient adherence and education regarding vaccination.

Casting a wider protective net: Anti-infective vaccine strategies for patients with hematologic malignancy and blood and marrow transplantation

Patients who have hematologic malignancies are at high risk for infections but vaccinations may be effective prophylaxis. The increased infection risk derives from immune defects secondary to malignancy, the classic example being CLL, and chemotherapies and immunotherapy used to treat the malignancies. Therapy of hematologic malignancies is being revolutionized by introduction of novel targeted agents and immunomodulatory medications, improving the survival of patients. At the same time those agents uniquely change the infection risk and response to immunizations. This review will summarize current vaccine recommendations for patients with hematologic malignancies including patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplant.

Immunogenicity and safety of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in patients with immunocompromising conditions: a review of available evidence

Immunocompromising conditions increase the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Vaccine uptake in patients with these conditions may be low in part because of concerns about decreased immunogenicity and safety in these high-risk groups. We conducted a literature search to identify publications describing antibody responses to 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in immunocompromised individuals recommended for PCV13 vaccination by the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This review summarizes immunogenicity data from 30 publications regarding the use of PCV13 comprising 2406 individuals considered at high risk for IPD by the ACIP. Although antibody responses to PCV13 in individuals with immunocompromising and high-risk conditions were variable and generally lower compared with healthy controls, the vaccine was immunogenic and was largely well tolerated. Based on these findings, concerns regarding immunogenicity and safety of PCV13 are not supported and should not be barriers to vaccination in high-risk populations.

Recommendations for vaccination in multiple myeloma: a consensus of the European Myeloma Network

Vaccination is one of the most successful medical interventions that has saved the life of millions of people. Vaccination is particularly important in patients with multiple myeloma, who have an increased risk of infections due to the disease-inherent immune suppression, and because of the immune suppressive effects of therapy. Hence, all appropriate measures should be exploited, to elicit an effective immune response to common pathogens like influenza, pneumococci, varicella zoster virus, and to those bacteria and viruses (haemophilus influenzae, meningococci, and hepatitis) that frequently may pose a significant risk to patients with multiple myeloma. Patients after autologous, and specifically after allogeneic transplantation have severely reduced antibody titers, and therefore require a broader spectrum of vaccinations. Response to vaccination in myeloma often is less vigorous than in the general population, mandating either measurement of the postvaccination antibody titers and/or repeating the vaccination. Here, we compile the existing data on vaccination in multiple myeloma and provide recommendations for clinical practice.

Response to PCV13 vaccination in patients with multiple myeloma versus healthy controls

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with multiple myeloma (MM). These individuals exhibit humoral dysfunction and show a suboptimal response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). Since pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) elicits a T cell dependent response, it is recommended in patients with multiple myeloma. This study compares the initial response to PCV13 and durability of the response at 6 months in patients with multiple myeloma versus normal controls. Seven patients with multiple myeloma and 18 control patients were enrolled in the study. Streptococcal pneumonia serotype IgG titers were drawn at baseline, day 30, and day 180 after MM patients and controls received PCV13. Although vaccination with PCV13 produced a similar initial response in patients with multiple myeloma compared to control subjects, the duration of response may have waned in patients with multiple myeloma as compared to control subjects.