Immunogenicity assessment of elder hepatocellular carcinoma patients after inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Background Research on immunogenicity after 3rd SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in elder hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was limited. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and influencing factors of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in elder HCC. Research design and methods We assessed total antibodies, anti-RBD IgG, and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) toward SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT) as well as BA.4/5 in 304 uninfected HCC, 147 matched healthy control (HC), and 53 SARS-CoV-2 infected HCC, all aged over 60 years. The levels of antibodies were compared in the period 7-90, 91-180, and >180 days after 2nd or 3rd vaccination, respectively. Results HCC had lower seropositivity than HC after 2nd dose (total antibodies, 64%vs.92%,P 0.9999). Booster effect of 3rd dose can persist >180 days in HCC (2ndvs.3rd: total antibodies, 0.60vs.3.20,P