Analysis of humoral and cellular immunity after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with immunomodulatory drugs

• Published in: Clinical immunology communications Vol. 3; pp. 6 - 13
• Main Authors: Meca-Lallana, Virginia, Esparcia-Pinedo, Laura, Aguirre, Clara, Díaz-Pérez, Carolina, Gutierrez-Cobos, Ainhoa, Sobrado, Mónica, Carabajal, Estefanía, Río, Beatriz del, Ropero, Noelia, Villagrasa, Ramón, Vivancos, José, Sanchez-Madrid, Francisco, Alfranca, Arantzazu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-12-2023; Published by Elsevier Inc; Elsevier
• Subjects: Full Length
• ISSN: 2772-6134; 2772-6134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clicom.2023.02.001

•72/88 MS patients developed an immune response to vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.•The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines varies depending on treatment type.•Patients should not stop their MS treatment in hope of increasing vaccine effectiveness. In patients treated with ocrelizumab, DMF and Figolimod, a careful risk/benefit assessment should be conducted.
We analyzed immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination by measuring specific IgG titers and T-cell reactivity to different SARS-CoV-2 peptides in multiple sclerosis patients taking different disease-modifying treatments. Of the 88 patients included, 72 developed any kind of immune response after vaccination. Although DMTs such as fingolimod and anti-CD20+ treatments prevented patients from developing a robust humoral response to the vaccine, most of them were still able to develop a cellular response, which could be crucial for long-term immunity. It is probably advisable that all MS patients take additional/booster doses to increase their humoral and/or cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2.