555 KB42 KB199220262026Boltežar, LučkaFujs Komloš, KristinaIhan, AlojzJevnikar, SaraJurca, TomažMlakar-Mastnak, DenisOcvirk, JanjaOražem, MihaPohar, KatkaPoljak, MarioRotovnik-Kozjek, NadaVratanar, Borštevilka:1letnik:60str. 76-85ISSN:1318-2099COBISSID_HOST:276354563URN:URN:NBN:SI:doc-2SLIB3RDenCroatian Medical Association - Croatian Society of RadiologySlovenian Medical Society - Section of RadiologyRadiology and oncology (Ljubljana)B-celični limfomB-cellcepljenje proti covid-19COVID-19 vaccineslimfomlymphomarituksimabrituximabImpaired booster-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in rituximab-treated B-cell lymphoma patients despite peripheral B-Cell Recovery|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-? 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 vaccinationTEXTznanstveno časopisjejournalsSlovenian National E-content AggregatorNational and University Library of SloveniaDruštvo radiologije in onkologije