Abstract
IntroductionThe objective of the study was to investigate the impact of newer biologic treatments including rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab on antibody response following pneumococcal vaccination using a 7-valent conjugate vaccine in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsPatients with RA receiving rituximab, abatacept or tocilizumab as monotherapy or combined with methotrexate (MTX) participated in the study. Specific IgG antibodies against 23F and 6B serotypes were measured at vaccination and 4 to 6 weeks after vaccination using standardised ELISA. Geometric mean antibody levels (GML) were calculated. Antibody response (AR) was defined as the ratio between post- and pre-vaccination antibody levels and a positive antibody response (posAR) was AR ≥2.ResultsIn total, 88 patients were enrolled in the study. Of 55 patients treated with rituximab, 26 (46%) were on concomitant MTX. Of patients receiving abatacept (n = 17) and tocilizumab (n = 16) biologic treatment was given in combination with MTX in 13 (76%) and 9 (56%) patients, respectively. Patients treated with rituximab had significantly lower AR compared to those on tocilizumab, as well as compared to previously reported RA patients on MTX and controls (spondylarthropathy patients treated with NSAIDs and/or analgesics). In total, 10.3% of patients on rituximab monotherapy and no patient on rituximab + MTX had posAR for both serotypes. For abatacept and tocilizumab the corresponding figures were 17.6% and 50%.ConclusionIn this cohort of patients with established RA, treatment with rituximab and abatacept was associated with diminished antibody response but this was most pronounced for rituximab. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine administrated during ongoing tocilizumab treatment seems to be associated with sufficient antibody response. Pneumococcal vaccination should preferably be encouraged before initiation of rituximab or abatacept treatment.Trial registrationNCT00828997 and EudraCT EU 2007-006539-29.
Highlights
The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of newer biologic treatments including rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab on antibody response following pneumococcal vaccination using a 7-valent conjugate vaccine in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
A population-based surveillance over 4 years after licensure of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar, PCV7) for children in the USA showed a significant decrease of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among adults 50 years and older, and an increase of IPD caused by serotypes not included in the vaccine [1]
Rituximabtreated patients as a group had significantly lower Antibody response (AR) for each serotype compared to RA patients on MTX, RA on tocilizumab, and controls (Figure 1)
Summary
The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of newer biologic treatments including rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab on antibody response following pneumococcal vaccination using a 7-valent conjugate vaccine in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A population-based surveillance over 4 years after licensure of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevenar, PCV7) for children in the USA showed a significant decrease of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among adults 50 years and older, and an increase of IPD caused by serotypes not included in the vaccine [1]. Data on the benefit of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in immunosuppressed patients with rheumatic disease are scarce. Our group has reported on antibody response following vaccination with PCV7 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondylarthropathy (SpA) including ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis treated with different anti-inflammatory remedies. Methotrexate (MTX), but not anti-TNF drugs, was associated with decreased antibody response [4]
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