Analysis of seroconversion following COVID-19 vaccination among multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying therapies in Poland

• Published in: Neurologia i neurochirurgia polska Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 112 - 119
• Main Authors: Podlecka-Piętowska, Aleksandra, Sierdziński, Janusz, Nojszewska, Monika, Stawicki, Jakub, Bartosik-Psujek, Halina, Lech, Beata, Popiel, Małgorzata, Perenc, Adam, Kułakowska, Alina, Czarnowska, Agata, Kulikowska, Joanna, Kapica-Topczewska, Katarzyna, Jamróz-Wiśniewska, Anna, Rejdak, Konrad, Zaborski, Jacek, Kubicka-Bączyk, Katarzyna, Niedziela, Natalia, Wierzbicki, Krzysztof, Adamczyk-Sowa, Monika, Zwiernik, Jacek, Zwiernik, Beata, Milewska-Jędrzejczak, Marta, Głąbiński, Andrzej, Jasińska, Elżbieta, Puz, Przemysław, Krzystanek, Ewa, Stęposz, Arkadiusz, Karuga, Aleksandra, Lasek-Bal, Anetta, Siuda, Joanna, Kściuk, Barbara, Walawska-Hrycek, Anna, Patalong-Ogiewa, Maja, Kaczmarczyk, Aleksandra, Siutka, Katarzyna, Brola, Waldemar, Zakrzewska-Pniewska, Beata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Wydawnictwo Via Medica 01.01.2024
• Subjects: COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 Vaccines; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Poland; SARS-CoV-2; Seroconversion; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Poland; COVID-19; immunosuppressive therapy; disease-modifying therapies; immune response; vaccines; multiple sclerosis; antibodies
• ISSN: 0028-3843; 1897-4260
• DOI: 10.5603/pjnns.96425

The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the world has highlighted the importance of vaccinations to control the pandemic and to protect people at risk for severe disease courses. Disease-modifying therapies (DMT) in multiple sclerosis (MS), whether immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive, may affect the immune response. Therefore, the question arose as to whether these vaccinations would be effective. We planned a study to assess the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines by type of therapy. Participants were recruited from 14 Polish MS centres. The data was obtained by neurologists using a questionnaire. We collected data on 353 MS patients (269 females, 84 males) who received complete primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. All persons with MS (PwMS) were treated with disease-modifying therapies. 305 out of 353 PwMS (86.4%) were positive for IgG Abs against SARS-CoV-2 S domain S1 Ag after vaccination. A strong immune response was noted in 129 PwMS (36.5%). The rate of seroconversion after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in PwMS who received immunomodulatory DMTs (interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, natalizumab) was 91.5%, in PwMS receiving immune reconstruction therapy (alemtuzumab, cladribine) was 92%, and in immunosuppressive DMTs (fingolimod, ocrelizumab), the seroconversion rate was 59%. Our study shows that, in PwMS receiving immunomodulatory therapy, the immune response to vaccination is generally excellent. Even in immunosuppressive patients, seroconversion is satisfactory.