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Ammitzbøll C, Thomsen MK, Bartels LE, Hansen CB, Hermansen MLF, Hänel M, Klose-Jensen R, Larsen ML, Lauritsen MO, Mistegaard CE, Mikkelsen S, Olesen JBM, Næser EU, Nielsen MA, Erikstrup C, Garred P, Hauge EM, Troldborg A. COVID-19 Vaccination Before Initiating Rituximab Treatment Induces Strong Serological Response in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease, Reducing Post-Pandemic Concerns About the Impact of Rituximab. ACR Open Rheumatol 2024. [PMID: 38923834 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rituximab (RTX)-treated patients exhibit suboptimal responses to COVID-19 vaccines. However, existing research primarily involves patients already receiving RTX when vaccines were introduced, failing to account for the current landscape where patients are vaccinated before initiating RTX. Our objective was to compare the serological response to COVID-19 vaccines in patients vaccinated before or after RTX initiation. METHODS We included 254 RTX-treated patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) and 113 blood donors (BDs) in a retrospective, observational cohort study. Patients were categorized based on the timing of RTX treatment relative to primary COVID-19 vaccination. Serological vaccine responses were assessed using three immunoassays, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of serological response. RESULTS Patients vaccinated before initiating RTX treatment had significantly higher seroconversion rates of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (87%) and neutralizing antibodies (91%) compared with those receiving RTX before and after vaccination (n = 132) (61% and 65%, respectively). In the logistic regression analysis, a positive serological response was associated with the number of vaccines administered >9 months after the last RTX treatment. Patients receiving the highest number of vaccines with >9 months after RTX showed a response comparable to that of the BDs. CONCLUSION Vaccinating before RTX initiation yields a robust serological response in patients with AIIRDs. Furthermore, we highlight the reversibility of antibody impairment after RTX treatment cessation, provided that adequate vaccinations occur within a minimum of 9 months after RTX. Our findings offer essential insights for clinical decision-making regarding COVID-19 vaccination and RTX treatment, alleviating concerns about future RTX use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cecilie Bo Hansen
- Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mathias Hänel
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Lamm Larsen
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Garred
- Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anne Troldborg
- Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Torres-Rufas M, Vicente-Rabaneda EF, Cardeñoso L, Gutierrez A, Bong DA, Valero-Martínez C, Serra López-Matencio JM, García-Vicuña R, González-Gay MA, González-Álvaro I, Castañeda S. Effectiveness and Safety of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Real-World Setting. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:672. [PMID: 38932401 PMCID: PMC11209506 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Novel mechanisms of COVID-19 vaccines raised concern about their potential immunogenicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing immunomodulatory treatments. We designed a retrospective single-center study to investigate their effectiveness and safety in this population, analyzing data from the first vaccination program (December 2020-October 2021). Inclusion criteria were availability of post-vaccination serology and a minimum subsequent follow-up of 6 months. Binding antibody units (BAU/mL) ≥ 7.1 defined an adequate serological response. Post-vaccine COVID-19 incidence and its timing since vaccination, adverse events (AEs), and RA flares were recorded. Adjusted logistic and linear multivariate regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with vaccine response. We included 118 patients (87.2% women, age 65.4 ± 11.6 years, evolution 12.0 ± 9.6 years), of whom 95.8% had a complete vaccination schedule. Adequate humoral immunogenicity was achieved in 88.1% of patients and was associated with previous COVID-19 and mRNA vaccines, whereas smoking, aCCP, age, and DMARDs exerted a negative impact. Post-vaccine COVID-19 occurred in 18.6% of patients, a median of 6.5 months after vaccination. Vaccine AE (19.5%) and RA flares (1.7%) were mostly mild and inversely associated with age. Our results suggest that COVID-19 vaccines induce adequate humoral immunogenicity, with an acceptable safety profile in RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Torres-Rufas
- Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Esther F. Vicente-Rabaneda
- Rheumatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (C.V.-M.); (R.G.-V.); (I.G.-Á.)
| | - Laura Cardeñoso
- Microbiology Department, IIS-Princesa, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Ainhoa Gutierrez
- Microbiology Department, IIS-Princesa, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (L.C.); (A.G.)
| | - David A. Bong
- Instituto Poal de Reumatología, Carrer de Castanyer, 15, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08022 Barcelona, Spain;
- Bellvitge Campus, Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer de la Feixa Llarga, s/n, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Valero-Martínez
- Rheumatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (C.V.-M.); (R.G.-V.); (I.G.-Á.)
| | - José M. Serra López-Matencio
- Hospital Pharmacy Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Rosario García-Vicuña
- Rheumatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (C.V.-M.); (R.G.-V.); (I.G.-Á.)
| | - Miguel A. González-Gay
- Rheumatology Department, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avenida de los Reyes Católicos, 2, Moncloa-Aravaca, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
- Medicine and Psychiatry Department, University of Cantabria, 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Isidoro González-Álvaro
- Rheumatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (C.V.-M.); (R.G.-V.); (I.G.-Á.)
| | - Santos Castañeda
- Rheumatology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Calle Diego de León 62, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (C.V.-M.); (R.G.-V.); (I.G.-Á.)
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Kwiatkowska B, Krajewska-Włodarczyk M, Batko B, Maślińska M, Stajszczyk M, Świerkot J, Wiland P, Żuber Z, Tomasiewicz K. COVID-19 prophylaxis, diagnostics, and treatment in patients with rheumatic diseases. The Polish experts panel opinion. Reumatologia 2024; 62:4-17. [PMID: 38558893 PMCID: PMC10979375 DOI: 10.5114/reum/183469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolves, infection management in vulnerable populations requires formalized guidance. Although low-virulence variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain predominant, they pose an increased risk of severe illness in adults with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Several disease-specific (chronic long-grade inflammation, concomitant immunosuppression) and individual (advanced age, multimorbidity, pregnancy, vaccination status) factors contribute to excess risk in RMD populations. Various post-COVID-19 manifestations are also increasingly reported and appear more commonly than in the general population. At a pathogenetic level, complex interplay involving innate and acquired immune dysregulation, viral persistence, and genetic predisposition shapes a unique susceptibility profile. Moreover, incident cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection as a trigger factor for the development of autoimmune conditions have been reported. Vaccination remains a key preventive strategy, and encouraging active education and awareness will be crucial for rheumatologists in the upcoming years. In patients with RMDs, COVID-19 vaccines' benefits outweigh the risks. Derivation of specialized diagnostic and therapeutic protocols within a comprehensive COVID-19 care plan represents an ideal scenario for healthcare system organization. Vigilance for symptoms of infection and rapid diagnosis are key for introducing antiviral treatment in patients with RMDs in a timely manner. This review provides updated guidance on optimal immunization, diagnosis, and antiviral treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brygida Kwiatkowska
- Early Arthritis Clinic, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Bogdan Batko
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Maria Maślińska
- Early Arthritis Clinic, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marcin Stajszczyk
- Department of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases, Silesian Center for Rheumatology, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Ustron, Poland
| | - Jerzy Świerkot
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Piotr Wiland
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Żuber
- Department of Rheumatology, St. Louis Voivodeship Specialist Children’s Hospital, Krakow, Poland
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Zhong X, Wang C, Huang L, Zhao Y, Li T, He J, Zhang X. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir co-administration inpatients with rheumatic disease infected with SARS-CoV-2: a real-world study. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1288402. [PMID: 38125894 PMCID: PMC10730682 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1288402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The breakthrough development of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines and oral antivirals have played a critical role in curtailing the spread of the pandemic and dramatically reducing the morbidity and mortality rates among those infected. Among these oral antivirals, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NR) has been repurposed successfully for use against coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and is now readily available on the market with promising therapeutic effects. The availability of convenient and effective NR treatments for COVID-19 greatly mitigates the severity of the epidemic and contributes to an early end to the pandemic. Furthermore, certain patient subgroups, specifically those with rheumatic disease (RD) who are currently undergoing intensive immunodeficiency and/or immunosuppressive treatments, continue to be vulnerable and at a higher risk of experiencing severe consequences from COVID-19. Additionally, it has also been observed that NR exhibited prevalent drug-drug interactions of clinical significance, and more instances of COVID-19 rebound were being recognized with increasing frequency. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a real-world RD population who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and treated with NR. The time of symptom resolution, length of hospitalization, and response rate were assessed. Results were compared among the standard regimen and non-standard regimen groups, early NR regimen and late NR regimen groups, and the NR indication regimen and NR non-indication regimen groups. During the course, all grades of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) directly associated with NR administration and associated with drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were also monitored. Results: A total of 32 patients with RD, who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 and received NR, were retrospectively identified and divided into different groups. We found that the standard regimen group and the early NR regimen group had a shorter median time of symptom resolution compared to the control group [9.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 8.3-11.3) vs. 21.5 (IQR16.0-24.0) days, p < 0.001 and 9.0 (IQR 8.3-11.3) vs. 23.0 (IQR 18.0-24.0) days, p = 0.0]. We further found that even if the NR administration time exceeds 5 days, patients with RD who receive the NR indication regimen can still derive certain benefits from it. The proportion of patients who showed symptom improvement was higher in the NR indication regimen compared to the NR non-indication regimen group (n = 13/17 vs. 3/6, 76.5% vs. 50.0%) at the end of follow-up, and there was a statistical difference (p = 0.0) in the response rate of patients between the two groups. We also analyzed the effect of comorbidities on patient response rates and found that the percentage of patients who showed symptom improvement was higher in the group with <4 comorbidities compared to the group with ≥ 4 comorbidities (n = 7/7 vs. 16/25, 100.0% vs. 64.0%) at the end of follow-up. During the course, all grades of ADRs and grade ≥3ADRs directly associated with NR administration were not observed in any of the 32 cases. Despite discontinuing warfarin prior to NR application (using NR immediately on the first day of warfarin withdrawal), one patient still experienced an increased international normalized ratio [INR, 5.32(0.90-1.20)] and coagulation disorders (weak positive fecal occult blood test) on the second day after using NR. The INR levels decreased to nearly normal values, and coagulation disorders returned to normal after 2 days of discontinuing NR (the seventh day after the initial administration of NR). Conclusion: We showed NR therapy to be associated with a favorable outcome and an acceptable safety profile in an immunosuppressed population with RD during the Omicron surge. Early use of NR (within 5 days of symptom onset) could improve the prognosis of patients. NR administration for symptoms and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection after >5 days may also mitigate progression to severe disease and is a viable strategy. Our results highlight the importance of early utilization and/or NR indication, which may yield clinical advantages for patients with RD infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing He
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
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