Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine - Report - MDSpire

Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

  • By

  • Antonietta Liotti

  • Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco

  • Anne Lise Ferrara

  • Valeria Mazzone

  • Maedeh Dehbozorgi

  • Annamária Szabó

  • Martina Belardo

  • Daria Marcogiuseppe

  • Antonio De Martino

  • Maria Elena Di Battista

  • Giovanna Servillo

  • Ornella Moreggia

  • Daniele Di Giulio Cesare

  • Vincenzo Andreone

  • Gilda Varricchi

  • Veronica De Rosa

  • June 16, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Differential T and B Cell Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination

Overview

This study investigates the T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab. It highlights distinct immunological profiles between the two treatment groups.

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting millions globally. Understanding how different DMTs affect vaccine efficacy is crucial, especially in the context of SARS-CoV-2.

Data Highlights

Cell TypeIFN-treated pwMSOCRE-treated pwMS
CD20+ B-cellsHigherLower
CD8+ T cell responseComparableComparable
CD4+ T cell responseComparableComparable
Th17 cellsNot increasedIncreased post-vaccination
Treg frequencyNot significantly changedSignificantly decreased

Key Findings

  • CD20+ B-cells were decreased in OCRE-treated patients compared to IFN-treated patients.
  • CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses were comparable between both treatment groups.
  • Th17 cells increased post-vaccination only in the OCRE-treated group.
  • Both treatment groups exhibited a robust spike-specific T cell response.
  • A significant decrease in Treg frequency was observed in both groups after vaccination.

Clinical Implications

The findings indicate distinct immunological profiles between the two therapies.

Conclusion

This study provides insights into the immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in MS patients treated with different DMTs.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Relative increase of memory B-cell subsets under s.c. B-cell-depleting therapies in multiple sclerosis
  2. Blood Cancer Journal, 2022 -- Diminished Humoral and T Cell Immunity Following SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Undergoing Ruxolitinib Treatment
  3. The ASCO Post, 2021 -- COVID-19 Vaccination: Patients With Multiple Myeloma May Lack T-Cell Response
  4. Blood Cancer Journal, 2023 -- Comprehensive Analysis of Cellular and Humoral Responses to COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters in Individuals with Chronic B-cell Neoplasms
  5. CDC, 2025 -- Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States
  6. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
  7. PubMed -- Humoral and Cellular Immunity After Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon Beta and Dimethyl Fumarate
  8. JAMA Neurology -- Humoral and T-Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Ocrelizumab
  9. PMC -- Effect of ocrelizumab on vaccine responses in patients with multiple sclerosis: The VELOCE study
  10. Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States
  11. Frontiers | Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
  12. Humoral and Cellular Immunity After Vaccination Against SARS-CoV-2 in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon Beta and Dimethyl Fumarate - PubMed
  13. Humoral and T-Cell Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Treated With Ocrelizumab
  14. Effect of ocrelizumab on vaccine responses in patients with multiple sclerosis: The VELOCE study - PMC

Original Source(s)

Multiple sclerosis patients under treatment with interferon β1-a or ocrelizumab exhibit different T and B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

  • by Antonietta Liotti, Giorgia Teresa Maniscalco, Anne Lise Ferrara, Valeria Mazzone, Maedeh Dehbozorgi, Annamária Szabó, Martina Belardo, Daria Marcogiuseppe, Antonio De Martino, Maria Elena Di Battista, Giovanna Servillo, Ornella Moreggia, Daniele Di Giulio Cesare, Vincenzo Andreone, Gilda Varricchi, Veronica De Rosa

  • June 16, 2026

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