Spike-specific humoral and cellular immune responses after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients with cirrhosis: A prospective single center study

Abstract

Background and aims: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were approved to prevent severe forms of the disease, but their immunogenicity and safety in cirrhosis is poorly known.

Method: In this prospective single-center study enrolling patients with cirrhosis undergoing COVID-19 vaccination (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273), we assessed humoral and cellular responses vs healthy controls, the incidence of breakthrough infections and adverse events (AEs). Antibodies against spike- and nucleocapsid-protein (anti-S and anti-N) and Spike-specific T-cells responses were quantified at baseline, 21 days after the first and second doses and during follow-up.

Results: 182 cirrhotics (85% SARS-CoV-2-naïve) and 38 controls were enrolled. After 2 doses of vaccine, anti-S titres were significantly lower in cirrhotics vs controls [1,751 (0.4-25,000) U/mL vs 4,523 (259-25,000) U/mL, p=0.012] and in SARS-CoV-2-naïve vs previously infected cirrhotics [999 (0.4-17,329) U/mL vs 7,500 (12.5-25,000) U/mL, (p<0.001)]. T-cell responses in cirrhotics were similar to controls, although with different kinetics. In SARS-CoV-2-naïve cirrhotics, HCC, Child-Pugh B/C and BNT162b2 were independent predictors of low response. Neither unexpected nor severe AEs emerged. During follow-up, 2% turned SARS-CoV-2 positive, all asymptomatic.

Conclusion: Humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines appeared suboptimal in patients with cirrhosis, particularly in SARS-CoV-2-naïve decompensated cirrhotics, although cellular response appeared preserved, and low breakthrough infections rate was registered.

Keywords: Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Moderna mRNA-1273; Nucleocapsid-protein; Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2; Portal hypertension; SARS-CoV-2; Spike-protein.