tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Published online before print November 4, 2011, doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-08-372649 Blood December 22, 2011 vol. 118 no. 26 6769-6771
Brief report
Rituximab blocks protective serologic response to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination in lymphoma patients during or within 6 months after treatment
Olav Erich Yri1,
Dag Torfoss1,
Olav Hungnes2,
Anne Tierens3,
Kristian Waalen2,
Tone Nord?y4,
Susanne Dudman2,
Anette Kilander2,
Karin Fahl Wader5,
Bj?rn ?stenstad1,
Roald Ekanger6,
Peter Meyer7, and
Arne Kolstad1
+ Author Affiliations
1Clinic for Surgery and Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
2Division of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway;
3Clinic for Diagnostics and Intervention, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
4Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Troms?, Norway;
5Department of Oncology, St Olaf's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway;
6Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; and
7Department of Hematology and Oncology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
Next Section
Abstract
Cancer patients are often encouraged to receive seasonal influenza vaccination. The monoclonal antibody rituximab is widely used in treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This results in a prolonged depletion of normal B cells, which might impair humoral responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether lymphoma patients undergoing rituximab-containing treatment regimens or having received such regimens within the past 6 months were able to mount protective antibody responses to the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus vaccine Pandemrix during the 2009 ?swine flu? pandemic. Contrary to the control group, where 82% responded adequately to the vaccine, none of the 67 patients achieved protective antibody titers, suggesting that lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing regimens might not benefit from this vaccine. It is important that doctors who care for such patients are aware that they may fail to respond not only to the influenza vaccine, but also to other common vaccines.
full article
http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/118/26/6769.full
Brief report
Rituximab blocks protective serologic response to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination in lymphoma patients during or within 6 months after treatment
Olav Erich Yri1,
Dag Torfoss1,
Olav Hungnes2,
Anne Tierens3,
Kristian Waalen2,
Tone Nord?y4,
Susanne Dudman2,
Anette Kilander2,
Karin Fahl Wader5,
Bj?rn ?stenstad1,
Roald Ekanger6,
Peter Meyer7, and
Arne Kolstad1
+ Author Affiliations
1Clinic for Surgery and Cancer Medicine, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
2Division of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway;
3Clinic for Diagnostics and Intervention, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
4Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Northern Norway, Troms?, Norway;
5Department of Oncology, St Olaf's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway;
6Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; and
7Department of Hematology and Oncology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
Next Section
Abstract
Cancer patients are often encouraged to receive seasonal influenza vaccination. The monoclonal antibody rituximab is widely used in treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This results in a prolonged depletion of normal B cells, which might impair humoral responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether lymphoma patients undergoing rituximab-containing treatment regimens or having received such regimens within the past 6 months were able to mount protective antibody responses to the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus vaccine Pandemrix during the 2009 ?swine flu? pandemic. Contrary to the control group, where 82% responded adequately to the vaccine, none of the 67 patients achieved protective antibody titers, suggesting that lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing regimens might not benefit from this vaccine. It is important that doctors who care for such patients are aware that they may fail to respond not only to the influenza vaccine, but also to other common vaccines.
full article
http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/content/118/26/6769.full