Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination following typical and three-dose dosing schedules in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease modifying therapies

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders 2022-07, Vol.63, p.103856-103856, Article 103856
• Main Authors: Wallach, Asya I., Schiebel, Matthew, Picone, Mary Ann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Correspondence; Covid-19; Disease modifying treatment; Immunization; Vaccine
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103856

•MS patients treated with most DMTs make a humoral response following a standard vaccination schedule.•Following a typical vaccination schedule against SARS-CoV2, 19% of patients on infusion anti-CD20 treatment made a humoral response; following an additional mRNA vaccination dose, 20% of patients on infusion anti-CD20 treatment made a humoral response.•MS patients treated with anti-CD20 infusions may have additional benefit from a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Background: Immunizations against SARS-CoV-2 virus are now available and recommended, but the effect of additional dosing of the vaccine in immunocompromised MS patients is unknown. Methods: Part I - A retrospective chart review of MS patients who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and tested commercially for Sars Covid Spike Protein Antibody between March 1 – June 30, 2021. Part II - Patients on treatment with anti-CD20 infusion medications who received a SARS-CoV-2 third mRNA vaccination dose August 13, 2021 – October 31, 2021 and were subsequently commercially tested for Sars Covid Spike Protein Antibody. Results: Part I - A total of N = 208 MS patients, age range 23–76 were tested, with 49% (102/208) demonstrating a humoral response. Stratified by DMT type, patients treated with interferon, teriflunomide, or a remote history of alemtuzumab (>2 years since last DMT) yielded 100% measurable antibodies; >90% amongst patients treated with natalizumab, fumarates and glatiramer acetate;