Multiple myeloma (MM) and anti-MM therapy cause profound immunosuppression, leaving patients vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other infections. We investigated anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies longitudinally in ultra-high-risk patients with MM receiving risk-adapted, intensive anti-CD38 combined therapy in the Myeloma UK (MUK) nine trial. Despite continuous intensive therapy, seroconversion was achieved in all patients, but required a greater number of vaccinations compared to healthy individuals, highlighting the importance of booster vaccinations in this population. Reassuringly, high antibody cross-reactivity was found with current variants of concern, prior to Omicron subvariant adapted boostering. Multiple booster vaccine doses can provide effective protection from COVID-19, even with intensive anti-CD38 therapy for high-risk MM.
Keywords: anti-CD38; antibodies; high-dose therapy; multiple myeloma; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2).
© 2023 The Authors. British Journal of Haematology published by British Society for Haematology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.