Background: The humoral response to vaccination in individuals with lymphoid malignancies or those undergoing anti-CD20 antibody therapy is impaired, but details of the response to mRNA vaccines to protect against COVID-19 remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to characterize the response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in patients with lymphoid malignancies or those undergoing anti-CD20 antibody therapy. Materials and Methods: A literature search retrieved 52 relevant articles, and random-effect models were used to analyze humoral and cellular responses. Results: Lymphoid malignancies and anti-CD20 antibody therapy for non-malignancies were significantly associated with lower seropositivity rates (risk ratio [RR] 0.60 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53–0.69]; RR 0.45 [95% CI 0.39–0.52], respectively). Some subtypes (chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL], treatment-naïve CLL, myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) exhibited impaired humoral response. Anti-CD20 antibody therapy within 6 months of vaccination decreased humoral response; moreover, therapy > 12 months before vaccination still impaired the humoral response. However, anti-CD20 antibody therapy in non-malignant patients did not attenuate T cell responses. Conclusion: These data suggest that patients with lymphoid malignancies or those undergoing anti-CD20 antibody therapy experience an impaired humoral response, but cellular response can be detected independent of anti-CD20 antibody therapy. Studies with long-term follow-up of vaccine effectiveness are warranted (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021265780).
- All age groups
- Vaccine/vaccination
- Efficacy/effectiveness
- COVID-19
