Covid-19 vaccine safe for blood cancer patients? Check what experts say

A group of physicians from the Medical Center-University of Freiburgand and LMU Munich has conducted a study in detail that determined the immune response to 3 doses of covid-19 vaccine in blood cancer patients.

Although blood cancer patients have weak immune systems, covid-19 vaccine has shown to generate the T-cells, which is a part of the immune system. No treatment in blood cancer patients have shown to develop antibodies against SARS-CoV2, which is the large family of coronavirus, except for the covid vaccine. The study reveals Covid vaccination can activate T cells, which are responsible for the long-term immune response.

The virologist Prof. Oliver T. Keppler of LMU Munich, Drs. Andrea Keppler-Hafkemeyer and Christine Greil of the Medical Center-University of Freiburg conducted this study. Their study allows us to understand the vaccine protection against SARS-CoV in blood cancer patients. The study was conducted on 2-types of blood cancer patients; B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma.


"This may have contributed to breakthrough infections being mild to moderately severe even in research participants who were unable to produce any particular antibodies after receiving the immunisation due to their treatment," said one of the physicians, Dr. Christine Greil.

"Our results show that almost all study participants had a strong T cell response to Covid-19 vaccination," Dr. Andrea Keppler-Hafkemeyer says.

Their study was not only about the production of antibodies after getting covid-19 vaccine, but also the quantity and quality of antibodies produced among blood cancer patients and healthy participants. This primarily depends on how tightly the antibodies bind to the viral spike protein. The results of the study said that antibodies produced in cancer patients are of high quality and they can even neturalise SARS-CoV after the 2nd dose of Covid-19 vaccine.

Patients with different forms of blood cancer may develop very wide antiviral immunity after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, including very potent neutralising antibodies.” said Prof. Oliver T. Keppler.

Multiple vaccine doses can be recommended for patients with B-cell lymphoma or multiple myeloma without interrupting therapy," summarizes Prof. Oliver T. Keppler.

FAQ?

What is the full-form of SARS-CoV ?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is the full-form of SARS-CoV.

How much time does it take for the covid-19 symptoms to appear?
It will take around 2-14 days to show symptoms after exposure to coronavirus.