Immune responses to influenza immunization in children receiving maintenance chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the immune responses to influenza vaccine in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving maintenance chemotherapy with those in healthy children.


METHODS
Hemagglutinin-inhibition (HAI) antibody titers were determined before and after influenza vaccination in children with ALL and healthy controls. Immune responses were measured as geometric mean titers (GMT) and 4-fold rises in HAI titers.


RESULTS
Although post-immunization GMT were lower in children with ALL compared to healthy children for the H1N1 antigen (P<0.001), the H3N2 antigen (P=0.03), and for the influenza B antigen (P=0.003), at least 60% of children with ALL had at least a 4-fold rise in HAI titers to each of the influenza antigens.


CONCLUSIONS
While the GMT after trivalent influenza immunization in children with ALL were significantly lower than those seen in healthy children, the majority of children with ALL had 4-fold rises in HAI titers. Children receiving maintenance chemotherapy for ALL should receive yearly influenza vaccine.
Porter
Christopher C
CC
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colarado 80218, USA. porter.christopher@tchden.org
Edwards
Kathryn M
KM
Zhu
Yuwei
Y
Frangoul
Haydar
H
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014611:Vaccination
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines