Efficacy of Vaccinations During and After Efalizumab Therapy

Efalizumab recipients who were vaccinated during active therapy had uncompromised immune responses to some vaccines but lower-than-normal responses to others.

Efalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to the α_L integrin CD11a, is effective for psoriasis. This biologic agent inhibits the function of T cells by blocking interactions with antigen-presenting cells and by restricting their binding to endothelial cells and keratinocytes.

Researchers examined antibody responses in 61 patients during and after 12 weeks of efalizumab therapy to determine whether the agent’s immunomodulatory effects moderated vaccine efficacy. Because the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccine involves only B cells, it was unaffected by efalizumab. However, recall antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and candida, which require T-cell help, were diminished during therapy (but not 11 weeks after discontinuation). After b…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)