Strong SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell Responses after One or Two COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients

A full exploration of immune responses is deserved after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and boosters, especially in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Although several reports indicate successful humoral responses in such patients, the literature is scarce on...

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Main Authors: Béatrice Clémenceau, Amandine Le Bourgeois, Thierry Guillaume, Marianne Coste-Burel, Pierre Peterlin, Alice Garnier, Maxime Jullien, Jocelyn Ollier, Audrey Grain, Marie C. Béné, Patrice Chevallier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/11/19/3010
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Summary:A full exploration of immune responses is deserved after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and boosters, especially in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Although several reports indicate successful humoral responses in such patients, the literature is scarce on cellular specific immunity. Here, both B- (antibodies) and T-cell responses were explored after one (V3 <i>n</i> = 40) or two (V4 <i>n</i> = 12) BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine boosters in 52 allo-HSCT recipients at a median of 755 days post-transplant (<1 year <i>n</i> = 9). Results were compared with those of 12 controls who had received only one booster (BNT162b2 <i>n</i> = 6; mRNA-1273 <i>n</i> = 6). All controls developed protective antibody levels (>250 BAU/mL) and anti-spike T-cell responses. Similarly, 81% of the patients developed protective antibody levels, without difference between V3 and V4 (82.5% vs. 75%, <i>p</i> = 0.63), and 85% displayed T-cell responses. The median frequency of anti-spike T cells did not differ either between controls or the whole cohort of patients, although it was significantly lower for V3 (but not V4) patients. COVID-19 infections were solely observed in individuals having received only one booster. These results indicate that four vaccine injections help to achieve a satisfactory level of both humoral and cellular immune protection in allo-HSCT patients.
ISSN:2073-4409