Durable tracking anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cancer patients recovered from COVID-19

Abstract

Cancer patients are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and generally have higher mortality rate. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG is an important consideration for the patients in this COVID-19 pandemic. Recent researches suggested the rapid decay of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population, but the decline rate of the antibodies in cancer patients was unknown. In this observational study, we reported the clinical features of the 53 cancer patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 from Wuhan, China and tracked the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the patients for more than 12 months. We found the duration (days) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in the patients was significant longer in chemotherapy (mean: 175; range: 75 to 315) and radiotherapy groups (mean: 168; range: 85 to 265) than in non-chemo- or radio-therapy group (mean: 58; range: 21 to 123) after their recovery from COVID-19. We also used single-cell RNA sequencing to track the immunologic changes in a representative patient recovered from COVID-19 and found that CD8 + effective T cells, memory B cells and plasma cells were persistently activated in the patient undergoing chemotherapy. Together, our findings show that chemotherapy and radiotherapy might be beneficial to extend the duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG.

COVID-19–Sensitive Tumour Response – 2-Year Assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 Humoral Response in Cancer Patients in Oncology Hospital in Poland

“…It is worth noting that during a 12-month observation, it was proven that chemotherapy or radiotherapy increases the pool of immunoglobulin class G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cancer patients [8]. It has also been proven that documenting SARS-CoV-2 infection with a molecular test is insufficient if it does not correlate with the patient's clinical condition [9].…”

“…This process involves innate and acquired immunity, gradually depleting the body's defence reserves. Therefore, only chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which deprive the body of the source or cause of chronic inflammation, can stimulate CD8+ T cells, B lymphocytes and plasma cells, and immune memory cells to an appropriate humoral response [8].…”

“…Only the third dose of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection works similarly in patients with soft tissue tumours [11]. This phenomenon has not been observed in oncohematological patients suffering from B-cell leukaemias or lymphomas, where, as a result of permanent myelosuppression, the humoral response is impaired [8]. The exception is patients suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, where antibody-dependent SARS-CoV-2 induction of anti-tumor response [12], and patients with multiple myeloma [9].…”