Immunogenicity of influenza vaccine in colorectal cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Although influenza is regarded as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, vaccine coverage remains poor. We evaluated the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines in colorectal cancer patients.


METHODS
In this study, 40 colorectal cancer patients who received an influenza vaccine at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 influenza seasons were analyzed. The blood samples were collected at prevaccination and 30 days post vaccination, and antibody titers were measured using the hemagglutination-inhibition tests.


RESULTS
In the 2009-2011 season, the seroprotection rate for H1N1 (94.7%) was significantly higher than that for H3N2 (42.1%) and B (47.3%). The seroconversion rate was 52.6%, 26.3%, and 36.8% for H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively. Fold increase of geometric mean titer (MFI) was 3.86, 1.49, and 3.33 for H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively. In the 2010-2011 season, the seroprotection rate for H1N1 (57.1%) was significantly higher than that for H3N2 (52.4%) and B (38.1%). The seroconversion rate was 52.4%, 47.6% and 33.3% for H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively. MFI was 12.29, 3.62 and 4.27 for H1N1, H3N2, and B, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study cohort showed an acceptable immune response to an influenza vaccine without significant adverse effects, supporting the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination in colorectal cancer patients.
Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Dong Ho
DH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Yun Yong
YY
Lee
Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Ui Sup
US
Shin
Department of Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Sun Mi
SM
Moon
Colorectal neoplasms; Hemagglutination inhibition tests; Human influenza; Influenza vaccines