title: Vaccine-Derived Immunity in Children With Cancer-Analysis of Anti-Tetanus and Anti-Diphtheria Antibodies Changes after Completion of Antineoplastic Therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer survival rates and longevity of patients after therapy have significantly improved during the last decades. Thus durable protection against infections should be provided. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of vaccine-derived antibodies in children with cancer compared to those of healthy children and to investigate how therapy influences the levels of specific antibodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 40 children, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or solid tumor (ST), followed in Poznan University of Medical Sciences Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, were recruited for evaluation of humoral immunity. Antibody levels were checked before treatment and 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with ALL or ST, levels of IgG against tetanus and diphtheria were significantly lower than in the control group. Among ALL patients, 9% remained negative for tetanus and diphtheria antibodies 12 months after therapy. Among patients with ST 3 months after chemotherapy, there were no protective antibodies in 12% against tetanus, and in 18% against diphtheria. All patients reconstituted immunity 6 and 12 months after therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show that a considerable number of cancer patients lose immunity against diphtheria and tetanus after therapy. Compared to ST, patients with ALL lose protective antibody levels more often. Patients with ST reconstituted antibodies after the treatment cessation, while levels in ALL patients remained low.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Human Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.|Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.|Department of Medical Diagnostic Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Department, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gowin
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Human Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bocian
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zając-Spychała
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Małecka
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stryczyńska-Kazubska
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Diagnostic Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kałużna
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Department, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Avonts
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Diagnostic Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocka-Leszczyńska
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, University of Medical Sciences Poznan, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004168:Diphtheria Toxoid; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid
keywords: immunocompromised patient; infectious diseases; solid tumor; vaccines