Some forms of cancer and cancer treatment can make people immune compromised, which makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19.
But some experts say patients should also be aware that it can also mean that the vaccine might have less of an effect.
It is not yet known how certain cancers or cancer therapies can impact the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, as cancer patients were not included in the clinical trials.
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But research from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society looking at patients’ immune responses after getting vaccinated does seem to suggest a diminished effect.
"Many of the blood cancers or the therapies inhibit the form of B cells, the cells that form the antibodies in response to the vaccine or the response to a COVID infection," explained Dr. Lee Greenberger, Chief Scientific Officer at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
That means people who are immune compromised could produce less antibodies than a healthy person would in response to the vaccine.
"We’re definitely seeing an impaired response of the B cells to produce antibodies," he told KCBS Radio's "Ask An Expert" on Friday.
Dr. Greenberger added the antibody response is measurably lower in as many as 40-60% of patients. But the immune system has other mechanisms to protect people from illness. "The other form, the T cells, they are also responding but probably not responding as well as normal health control subjects."
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That is why the LLS has set up a registry for patients who get the vaccine with free blood testing, so they can find out how well their immune system is responding to the vaccine and also contribute to this growing data set.
Dr. Greenberger said they are looking into ways to boost the effectiveness of the vaccine in these patients, including waiting a certain amount of time after completing treatments or getting a booster shot.
He added they have not observed any additional risks or reasons why blood cancer patients should not get the vaccine.
"I don’t think blood cancer patients have to worry too much about the side effects being any different than what the normal population experiences," said Dr. Greenberger.
"It’s just a warning sign to say: certain patients who are particularly immune suppressed, who do not have good B cells for one reason or another, may not be making antibodies need to be cautious."
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