Difference in safety and humoral response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with autoimmune neurological disorders: the ANCOVAX study

BACKGROUND: Assessing the safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines and the effect of immunotherapies on the seroconversion rate in patients with autoimmune neurological conditions (ANC) is relevant to clinical practice. Our aim was to assess the antibody response to and safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines in ANC. METHODS: This longitudinal study included ANC patients vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 between March and August 2021. Side effects were assessed 2–10 days after each dose. Neurological status and anti-spike receptor binding domain antibody levels were evaluated before vaccination and 4 weeks after the second dose. Healthcare-workers served as controls for antibody levels. RESULTS: We included 300 ANC patients (median age 52, IQR 40–65), and 347 healthcare-workers (median age 45, IQR 34–54). mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with an increased risk of both local (OR 2.52 95% CI 1.45–4.39, p = 0.001) and systemic reactions (OR 2.51% CI 1.49–4.23, p = 0.001). The incidence of relapse was not different before and after vaccine (Incidence rate ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.29–1.83). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG were detected in 268 (89.9%) patients and in all controls (p < 0.0001). BNT162b2 vaccine (OR 8.84 95% CI 2.32–33.65, p = 0.001), anti-CD20 mAb (OR 0.004 95% CI 0.0007–0.026, p < 0.0001) and fingolimod (OR 0.036 95% CI 0.002–0.628, p = 0·023) were associated with an increased risk of not developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines were safe in a large group of ANC patients. Anti-CD20 and fingolimod treatment, as well as vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine, led to a reduced humoral response. These findings could inform vaccine policies in ANC patients undergoing immunotherapy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-022-11142-7.