Author Of 1 Presentation
P0290 - Anti-CD20 therapy interferes with the immune response to the Hepatitis B virus vaccine in MS patients (ID 1515)
Abstract
Background
The highly effective therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) could potentially interfere in the immune response against novel antigens, but evidence is lacking.
Objectives
To evaluate the immunogenicity to the hepatitis B virus vaccine (HBV-v) in MS patients who are candidate to highly effective therapies.
Methods
This is an observational retrospective cohort study. MS patients were eligible if they had a complete HBV-v primo-vaccination course (40 mcg or adjuvated 20 mcg HBV-v at months 0, 1, 2 and 6-12) and a post-vaccination serology at least 1 month after the last dose, to assess the response to the vaccine. Seroprotection status (VHB surface antigen antibody titers of at least 10 UI/L) and geometric mean antibody titers were evaluated taking into account the time of vaccination in relation to the specific MS disease-modifying therapies (DMT). We considered the DMT received at baseline (onset of vaccination) as well as, the possible treatment change over the course of vaccination.
Results
153 patients were included, with mean age 48 (SD 8.6) years, of which 68% were female. Mean disease duration was 13.8 (SD 9.4) years. Median EDSS was 4 (IQR 3). 78 patients (51%) were under DMT at the onset of vaccination and 115 (75.2%) patients changed their DMT during the course of vaccination. The global seroprotection rate was 66.7% (IC 95% 58.6-74.1). The highest seroprotection rate was observed in non-treated patients (N=17; 94.1% 95%CI 71.3-99.0) and in those treated with injectables, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide or natalizumab (N=31; 96.8% 95%CI 83.3%-99.9%). Starting anti-CD20 therapy during the course of vaccination reduced the seroprotection rate regardless of the preceding therapeutic situation: 1) non-treated patients (N=40; 52.5% 95%CI 36.1%-68.5%), 2) treated with injectables, dimethylfumarate, teriflunomide or natalizumab (N=33; 48.5% 95%CI 30.8%-66.5%) and 3) treated with fingolimod (N=11; 18.2% 95%CI 23%-51.8%). Onset of AntiCD20 also resulted in a significant decrease in the antibody titers (p<0.001) compared to those without AntiCD20. There was a dose-gradient effect in the achieved seroprotection with the number of vaccine doses administered before the onset of the anti-CD20 therapy (16.7%, 30%, 66.7% and 92.9% with one, two, three and four doses, respectively).
Conclusions
MS patients on anti-CD20 therapy mount deficient immune responses to VHB vaccination and therefore, vaccination should be completed in advance of treatment onset.