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Marziali M, Pugliese P, Losardo AA, Ribersani M, Anastasi E, Angeloni A, Pavan A, Gentile G. Efficacy and safety of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in a cohort of 90 transfusion dependent thalassemia patients. Transfus Med 2024; 34:238-240. [PMID: 38632665 DOI: 10.1111/tme.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- M Marziali
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - P Pugliese
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A A Losardo
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - M Ribersani
- Hematology, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - E Anastasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A Angeloni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - A Pavan
- Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - G Gentile
- Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Ghoti H, Zreid H, Ghoti I, Bourgonje AR, Diepstra A, van Goor H, Avivi I, Jeadi H, van Eijk LE, Weiss G. Clinical outcome and humoral immune responses of β-thalassemia major patients with severe iron overload to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination: a prospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2023; 62:102096. [PMID: 37560260 PMCID: PMC10406963 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has raised special concern for patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM) due to frequent comorbidities, regular blood transfusions, and iron overload. However, the exact implications of COVID-19 for patients with β-TM remain uncertain. We aimed to explore the COVID-19 incidence and severity, and the serological response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in patients with β-TM. METHODS Patients with β-TM (n = 105) and age-matched healthy controls, all individuals of all control groups were health care workers of the hospital, were prospectively enrolled at the haematology department of Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip from January 1st, 2021 to December 31st, 2021. Data on COVID-19 incidence and severity were analysed, with Alpha, Beta, and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants dominating at that time. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were measured and compared between study groups. FINDINGS Patients with β-TM showed a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population (61.9% vs. 7.1%, p < 0.0001). Most patients with β-TM had asymptomatic (70.8%) or mild disease (26.1%), with no fatalities recorded. COVID-19 illness was more severe among female than male patients with β-TM. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were significantly higher in symptomatic patients with β-TM than controls post-infection (geometric mean ÷ geometric standard deviation 1299.0 ÷ 3.3 vs. 555.7 ÷ 2.4 AU/mL, p = 0.009) and post-vaccination (8404.0 ÷ 3.9 vs. 2785.6 ÷ 5.0 AU/mL, p = 0.015). Similar responses were observed when comparing splenectomised to non-splenectomised (both asymptomatic and symptomatic) patients with β-TM post-infection (595.4 ÷ 3.9 vs. 280.7 ÷ 3.5 AU/mL, p = 0.005) and post-vaccination (13,778.2 ÷ 3.2 vs. 4961.8 ÷ 4.1 AU/mL, p = 0.045). INTERPRETATION This distinctive β-TM cohort exhibited a high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection but mild disease course. Our findings support favourable serological responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and to vaccination in patients with β-TM, indicating a potential interplay between iron availability and COVID-19-related immunity. FUNDING This study was funded by Mr. Hosam and Wasim s. El Helou.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussam Ghoti
- Department of Hematology, Al-Shifa Hospital, 51245, Gaza, Palestine
- Hematology Clinic, National Health Services, 6818164, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hala Zreid
- Department of Hematology, Al-Shifa Hospital, 51245, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Israa Ghoti
- Human Medicine, European University of Cyprus, 2404, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Arno R. Bourgonje
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Diepstra
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Harry van Goor
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Irit Avivi
- Hematology Division, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 64239, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hisham Jeadi
- Department of Hematology, Al-Shifa Hospital, 51245, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Larissa E. van Eijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Günter Weiss
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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Gamberini MR, Zuccato C, Zurlo M, Cosenza LC, Finotti A, Gambari R. Effects of Sirolimus Treatment on Fetal Hemoglobin Production and Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: A Case Report Study. Hematol Rep 2023; 15:432-439. [PMID: 37489374 PMCID: PMC10366771 DOI: 10.3390/hematolrep15030044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The β-thalassemias are a group of monogenic hereditary hematological disorders caused by deletions and/or mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to low or absent production of adult hemoglobin (HbA). For β-thalassemia, sirolimus has been under clinical consideration in two trials (NCT03877809 and NCT04247750). A reduced immune response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been reported in organ recipient patients treated with the immunosuppressant sirolimus. Therefore, there was some concern regarding the fact that monotherapy with sirolimus would reduce the antibody response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In the representative clinical case reported in this study, sirolimus treatment induced the expected increase of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) but did not prevent the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after vaccination with mRNA-1273 (Moderna). In our opinion, this case report should stimulate further studies on β-thalassemia patients under sirolimus monotherapy in order to confirm the safety (or even the positive effects) of sirolimus with respect to the humoral response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In addition, considering the extensive use of sirolimus for the treatment of other human pathologies (for instance, in organ transplantation, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune cytopenia, and lymphangioleiomyomatosis), this case report study might be of general interest, as large numbers of patients are currently under sirolimus treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Gamberini
- Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Unità Operativa Interdipartimentale di Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Arcispedale S. Anna di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambari
- Center "Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago" for the Research on Thalassemia, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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Fattizzo B, Rampi N, Barcellini W. Vaccinations in hematological patients in the era of target therapies: Lesson learnt from SARS-CoV-2. Blood Rev 2023; 60:101077. [PMID: 37029066 PMCID: PMC10043962 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Novel targeting agents for hematologic diseases often exert on- or off-target immunomodulatory effects, possibly impacting on response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations and other vaccines. Agents that primarily affect B cells, particularly anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen T-cells, have the strongest impact on seroconversion. JAK2, BCL-2 inhibitors and hypomethylating agents may hamper immunity but show a less prominent effect on humoral response to vaccines. Conversely, vaccine efficacy seems not impaired by anti-myeloma agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory agents, although lower seroconversion rates are observed with anti-CD38 and anti-BCMA MoAbs. Complement inhibitors for complement-mediated hematologic diseases and immunosuppressants used in aplastic anemia do not generally affect seroconversion rate, but the extent of the immune response is reduced under steroids or anti-thymocyte globulin. Vaccination is recommended prior to treatment or as far as possible from anti-CD20 MoAb (at least 6 months). No clearcut indications for interrupting continuous treatment emerged, and booster doses significantly improved seroconversion. Cellular immune response appeared preserved in several settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Fattizzo
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicolò Rampi
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Wilma Barcellini
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Epidemiological Surveillance of SARSCov2 in β-Thalassemia Patients in the Last Two Years: Reinfection Rate, Insights and Future Challenges. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2023; 15:e2023007. [PMID: 36660359 PMCID: PMC9833304 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2023.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Although the association between comorbidities and the severity of COVID-19 infection has been extensively discussed, data on COVID-19 and hemoglobinopathies are still limited. SARS-Cov2 reinfections with severe acute respiratory syndrome have been described in the general population, usually with a milder outcome compared to the primary infection.
The aim of our study was to determine the rate of reinfection and clinical features in a population of β-thalassemia patients.
Results: Following the first infection, patients showed an adequate humoral immune response, however, all four patients are considered immune impaired owing to chronic transfusional support coupled with iron chelating treatment and splenectomy in three of the four.
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Rossi CM, Lenti MV, Merli S, Di Sabatino A. Role of IgM Memory B Cells and Spleen Function in COVID-19. Front Immunol 2022; 13:889876. [PMID: 35844543 PMCID: PMC9280616 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.889876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IgM memory B cells, are a peculiar subset of memory B cells, which probably originates in the spleen and outside germinal centers and provide a rapid line of defence against mucosal infections. Their role in counteracting COVID-19 is still elusive but, recent evidence, mainly boosted by studies on spleen function/involvement in COVID-19, seems to support the notion that this subset of memory B cells could exert a protective role against this virus, along with other coronaviruses, particularly in the acute setting of the infection, as outlined by worst clinical outcomes observed in unvaccinated patients with impaired IgM B memory response and spleen function. Herein we critically summarise the current landscape of studies on IgM memory B cells, focusing on the clinical impact of their depletion, by comparing the COVID-19-related splenic dysfunction with other hypo- and asplenic conditions and by adding recent data on follow-up studies and postulate a mechanistic explanation for their reduced numbers. The early detection of an impaired IgM memory B cell response in patients with COVID-19 may contribute to their improved care through different strategies, such as through tailored vaccine strategies, prompt hospital admission and/or administration of anti-infective treatments, thus resulting in an better prognosis, although at present management algorithms are still unavailable. Moreover, further studies with longer follow-up are needed to assess the evolution of COVID-19-associated/exacerbated immune deficit.
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