Vaccination of autologous stem cell transplant recipients with live varicella vaccine: a pilot study

Support Care Cancer. 2003 Nov;11(11):739-41. doi: 10.1007/s00520-003-0527-8. Epub 2003 Sep 17.

Abstract

A pilot study of vaccination with live, attenuated varicella vaccine for prevention of zoster was performed in autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) recipients. Nine patients were vaccinated between 3-4 months after transplantation. The antigen-specific immune response was studied by lymphocyte proliferation. No systemic side effects were seen. One of nine patients developed herpes zoster HZ during follow-up. There was a tendency for a strengthened specific immune response after SCT ( p=0.12). This pilot study shows that vaccination with live, attenuated varicella vaccine can be performed safely 3-4 months after autologous stem cell transplantation. Additional studies are needed to assess efficacy of this approach in the prevention of HZ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Chickenpox Vaccine / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Herpes Zoster / immunology*
  • Herpes Zoster / prevention & control*
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Autologous / immunology
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Chickenpox Vaccine
  • Vaccines, Attenuated