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NCT Number: NCT04932863

BNT162b2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Covid-19 Vaccine in Cancer Patients on Active Treatment

In this Italian observational study the antibody titer reactogenicity to Pfizer Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Coronavirus (CoV-2) RNA vaccine in cancer patients under active antitumor treatment will be evaluated at 21 and 42 days and after 6 months. Furthermore patients safety will be monitored. Factors affecting immunogenicity (or lack of), including cancer treatment, will be the primary aim of the study.

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Key information

About this study

This is an observational non-interventional study in cancer patients. The study will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccine against COronaVIrus Disease-19 (COVID-19) which will be delivered in the deltoid muscle in 2-dose (separated by 21 days). Blood will be collected in two 5 milliliters (mL) vacuettes for serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Cytokine assessment, at baseline and after 21 days, immediately before the first and the second dose, respectively, then after 42 days from the first dose and finally after 6 months from the baseline. A panel of 22 cytokines (Biorad) will be measured at baseline and after 21 and 42 days in four groups consisting of: no responders (S1/S2 IgG<15 Arbitrary Unit AU/ml at 42 days), slow responders (S1/S2 IgG<15 AU/mL after 21 days and >15 AU/mL after the second dose), fast responders (S1/S2 IgG>15 AU/mL after the first 21 days) and immunized patients (S1/S2 IgG>15 AU/mL at baseline). At baseline, at 42 days and 6 months questionnaires for psychological testing will be dispensed for completion to patients.

After 42 days from the first dose, 15 mL of heparinized peripheral blood from both non-responders (S1/S2 IgG<25 AU/mL) and responders will be used for isolation of different Cluster of Differentiation 4 (CD4+) and CD8+ T cell subpopulations and analysis of their capability to undergo activation/proliferation in response to specific SARS- CoV-2 derived peptides.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age ≥18 years
  • On treatment for cancer during the last 6 months or being treated >6 months ago but being ultravulnerable
  • About to receive "Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19" vaccine
  • Lymphocyte count≥0.5x10^9/L

Exclusion criteria

  • Subjects who are not eligible for "Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19" vaccine administration
  • Inability and/or unwillingness to sign written informed consent

Treatment and study plan

BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine

Biological

Two injections, 21 days apart, of the BNT162b2 vaccine 30 μg per dose in the deltoid muscle.

Primary outcomes

  1. Antibody titer reactogenicity assessment

    Time frame: up to 12 months

    Serum IgG assessment at baseline, after 21 days, 42 days and after 6 months to Pfizer SARS- CoV-2 RNA vaccine in cancer patients under prior or current active antitumor treatment

  2. Comparison of the immune response in treated and untreated patients

    Time frame: up to 12 months

    Identification of predictive factors for antibody response in treated versus untreated patients

Secondary outcomes

  1. Safety assessment

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    Number and Grade of Adverse Events (AE) related to vaccine in patients undergoing anti-cancer treatment.

  2. Antibody titer correlations with therapy

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    To correlate the antibody titer with type and timing of therapy. Particular attention will be devoted to the effect in patients receiving checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy.

  3. Antibody titer correlations with cancer

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    To correlate the antibody titer with the type of cancer and cancer staging/grading

  4. Antibody titer correlations with patients

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    To correlate the antibody titer with host characteristics, including psychological variables such as distress and anxiety or depression.

  5. Inflammatory response evaluation

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    Dosage of soluble factors (including pro-inflammatory cytokines, Cytokine Multiplex Assay Kits) in responders and non responders to Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 RNA vaccine

  6. Immune cell activation

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    Correlate soluble factors of inflammatory response with blood cell count and inflammatory and pro-thrombotic biomarkers

  7. Immunological memory

    Time frame: up to 24 months

    Comparing lymphocyte activation in cancer patients responding to the vaccine versus those non responding (S1/S2 IgG <15 AU/mL)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera

Other

Collaborators

  • Universita degli Studi di Genova

Registry information

Official study title

A Prospective Observational Non Interventional Study of Reactogenicity and Safety of the BNT162b2 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Covid-19 Vaccine in Cancer Patients on Active Treatment

Acronym: UNICO

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jun 21, 2021
Registry last updated
Aug 8, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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