Third COVID-19 vaccine dose shows benefit in MS patients with a weak response after 2 doses

Key clinical point: The third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine increased the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Major finding: After revaccination, the mean levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD IgG titers increased significantly in both anti-CD20 (75.7 arbitrary units [AU]; P < .001) and fingolimod (29.6 AU; P = .006) treated groups. No serious adverse events were recorded.

Study details: The findings come from an observational cohort study involving 130 patients with MS treated with anti-CD20 therapy (n = 101) or fingolimod (n = 29) who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and were offered a third dose.

Disclosures: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Oslo university hospital provided funding for conducting the study. Dr. König and Dr. Holmøy reported receiving speaker honoraria from various sources.

Source: König M et al. JAMA Neurol. 2022 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.5109

Key clinical point: The third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine increased the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Major finding: After revaccination, the mean levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD IgG titers increased significantly in both anti-CD20 (75.7 arbitrary units [AU]; P < .001) and fingolimod (29.6 AU; P = .006) treated groups. No serious adverse events were recorded.

Study details: The findings come from an observational cohort study involving 130 patients with MS treated with anti-CD20 therapy (n = 101) or fingolimod (n = 29) who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and were offered a third dose.

Disclosures: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Oslo university hospital provided funding for conducting the study. Dr. König and Dr. Holmøy reported receiving speaker honoraria from various sources.

Source: König M et al. JAMA Neurol. 2022 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.5109

Key clinical point: The third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine increased the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 therapy or fingolimod who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Major finding: After revaccination, the mean levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD IgG titers increased significantly in both anti-CD20 (75.7 arbitrary units [AU]; P < .001) and fingolimod (29.6 AU; P = .006) treated groups. No serious adverse events were recorded.

Study details: The findings come from an observational cohort study involving 130 patients with MS treated with anti-CD20 therapy (n = 101) or fingolimod (n = 29) who had a weak humoral response after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and were offered a third dose.

Disclosures: The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Oslo university hospital provided funding for conducting the study. Dr. König and Dr. Holmøy reported receiving speaker honoraria from various sources.

Source: König M et al. JAMA Neurol. 2022 (Jan 24). Doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.5109