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Published on: January 19, 2019

Immune response to conjugated meningococcal C vaccine in pediatric oncology patients

Joyce W Yu1, Astrid Borkowski, Lisa Danzig

  • 1Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|March 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric oncology patients showed varied responses to the Meningococcal C vaccine, with chemotherapy proximity and B cell count influencing effectiveness. Further research is needed to optimize vaccination strategies for immunocompromised children.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Vaccinology

Background:

  • Mass vaccination with Meningococcal CRM197 vaccine occurred in Quebec following disease outbreaks.
  • Pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy or post-bone-marrow transplant were included in the study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the immune response of pediatric oncology patients to the Meningococcal C vaccine.
  • To identify factors influencing vaccine response in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label, descriptive cohort study was conducted at the Montreal Children's Hospital.
  • A positive vaccine response was defined by a fourfold increase in specific IgG and a human complement bactericidal assay (hBCA) titer >1:4.

Main Results:

  • 13 of 25 patients with ALL showed a serologic response, with responders having higher B cell counts.
  • Chemotherapy proximity was associated with non-response; only 2 of 5 post-bone-marrow transplant patients responded.
  • 44% of patients achieved an adequate hBCA response, correlating significantly with serologic response.

Conclusions:

  • Meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine elicits variable immune responses in pediatric cancer patients.
  • Chemotherapy status and B cell count are potential predictors of vaccine response in this cohort.
Abstract

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