Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: Literature is sparse about the prevalence and durability of immune response to infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2( SARS-CoV-2 ) / Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in cancer patients. Method: We retrospectively analyzed antibody levels and seroconversion rates in serum samples from 135 cancer patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CLIA) using Roche Cobas e801 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland) was performed to identify Pan Ig antibody against Nucleocapsid Antigen. Reports of 1st, 3rd and 6th month were analyzed. Seroconversion was also compared with health care workers (HCW) of our institute who had recovered from COVID-19 infection. Findings: Seroconversion rate in cancer patients was 81.2% at 1 month, 95% at 3 months and 94.6% at 6 months post RT-PCR positivity. There was no difference in seroconversion rate among different age groups, gender, co-morbidities, severity of COVID-19 symptoms, cancer disease status and treatment with chemotherapy. Seroconversion rate in cancer patients is comparable to HCW (90.4% vs 96%, p=0.82) and is durable. Interpretation: Humoral response to COVID-19 infection in cancer patients is comparable to general population and sustained. Such responses suggest that cancer patients are likely to benefit from COVID-19 vaccination. Funding: Not applicableDeclaration of Interests: No financial and personal conflict of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was reviewed and approved by institute ethics committee.