| Title: | Impaired booster-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in rituximab-treated B-cell lymphoma patients despite peripheral B-Cell Recovery |
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| Authors: | ID Jurca, Tomaž (Author)
ID Boltežar, Lučka (Author)
ID Oražem, Miha (Author)
ID Fujs Komloš, Kristina (Author)
ID Pohar, Katka (Author)
ID Jevnikar, Sara (Author)
ID Poljak, Mario (Author)
ID Mlakar-Mastnak, Denis (Author)
ID Rotovnik-Kozjek, Nada (Author)
ID Vratanar, Bor (Author)
ID Ocvirk, Janja (Author)
ID Ihan, Alojz (Author) |
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| Files: |  PDF - Presentation file, download (565,04 KB)
MD5: 9F46EB0981FC1713704494301FD8281A
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  OI - Institute of Oncology
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| Abstract: | Rituximab-treated patients with B-cell lymphoma exhibit profound B-cell depletion and impaired vaccine-induced antibody responses. However, it remains uncertain whether recovery of peripheral B-cell counts after rituximab is sufficient to restore effective humoral immunity following booster vaccination. Patients and methods In this prospective, single-center observational study at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, adult B-cell lymphoma patients treated with or previously exposed to rituximab received the Comirnaty® mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleoprotein were measured at baseline, 14 days after the second dose, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. A third dose was administered at 6 months. T-cell responses (IFN-γ release) were assessed in patients before and after the primary series and booster dose. Lymphocyte subsets were analysed pre-vaccination. Adverse events and nutritional status were monitored. Results Patients undergoing anti-CD20 therapy showed absent antibody responses. Longer intervals since rituximab correlated with peripheral B-cell repopulation. However, even after reaching normal B-cell counts, patients’ antibody responses after revaccination remained significantly lower than in controls. Conclusions Rituximab is associated with impaired vaccine-induced antibody responses. Despite recovery of peripheral B-cell counts, patients with B-cell lymphoma show reduced humoral responses compared with healthy individuals following booster COVID-19 vaccination. |
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| Keywords: | lymphoma, B-cell, rituximab, COVID-19 vaccines |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 16.02.2026 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 24.02.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 24.03.2026 |
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| Place of publishing: | Ljubljana |
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| Publisher: | Association of Radiology and Oncology |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 76-85 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 60, no. 1 |
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| Source: | Ljubljana |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-29699  |
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| UDC: | 616-006 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1318-2099 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 276354563 |
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| Copyright: | by Authors |
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 03.06.2026 |
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| Views: | 128 |
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| Downloads: | 43 |
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