COVID-19 Vaccination Immunity Decreases Faster in Patients With Psoriasis Treated With Anti-TNF Agents

According to a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, anti-TNF treatments are associated with faster waning of immunity elicited by mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in patients with psoriasis.

Researchers aimed to investigate waning humoral and cellular immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with psoriasis treated with methotrexate (n=123) and biologics (n=226) in a prospective cohort study. Markers of immunity after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines administered with standard intervals between doses were investigated. These included SARS-CoV-2 spike-glycoprotein specific IgG and IgA, neutralizing capacity, and interferon-gamma release from T-cells stimulated with peptides of the SARS-CoV-2 spike-glycoprotein.

Anti-TNF treatment was associated with lower IgG levels, median neutralizing indexes, and cellular responses.

“Treatment with anti-TNF has an impact on the immunity elicited by mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in patients with psoriasis, resulting in a faster waning of humoral and cellular markers of immunity, however, the clinical implications are unknown,” concluded the study authors.

Reference
Kvist-Hansen A, Pérez-Alós L, Al-Sofi RF, et al. Waning humoral and cellular immunity after COVID-19 vaccination in patients with psoriasis treated with methotrexate and biologics: a cohort study. Br J Dermatol. Published online ahead of print January 27, 2023. doi:10.1093/bjd/ljad023