Immunologic Response After Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine in Onco- Hematologic Patients

Primary objective 1\) To assess whether oncologic and hematologic patients develop a protective immunological response after pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) vaccine Secondary objectives 1. To compare the levels of antibody response against A (H1N1) influenza virus between oncologic and hematologic patients relative to a cohort of healthy volunteers 2. To assess the incidence of A (H1N1) infection in vaccinated oncologic and hematologic patients in comparison with a cohort of vaccinated healthy volunteers. To assess the clinical symptoms attributable to influenza infection in vaccinated oncologic and hematological patients and healthy volunteers. 3. To compare the levels of antibody response against A (H1N1) influenza virus between the following subgroups: patients with ongoing chemotherapy; patients who have completed the chemotherapy treatment; patients treated with autologous or allogeneic peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplant (PBSCT) Study procedures: Onco-hematological patients will perform a blood sample collection before the vaccination, on day +21 after vaccination , on day +50 and on day +90. At the end of the collection, the investigators will perform immunological test to evaluate the antibody titer and the cellular response. The titer of antibodies against the vaccine strain will be measured in all samples by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assays with the use of turkey erythrocytes and according to EMEA guidelines. Response criteria will be the achievement of a protective title of HI test \> 1:40. In addition, the investigators will evaluate: geometric mean titers and a fourfold titer increase compared with prevaccination titers. Cellular-mediated response will be analysed by flow-cytometry. A control cohort of healthy volunteers who received A(H1N1) vaccine will perform the same blood sample collection. Evaluation of clinical response: Oncologic and hematologic patients will be followed as outpatients or inpatients according to routine controls for their disease. In case that symptoms of the upper airways or influenza-like symptoms develop, the symptoms will be recorded in the clinical database, nasal and pharyngeal swaps will be performed according to the doctor who is taking care of the patient. In order to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the vaccination, the swaps will be tested for A (H1N1) influenza virus infection. No further studies will be performed after 3 months from the vaccination.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Oncologic and hematologic patient with the plan of receiving the A (H1N1) vaccine
* Control Group: a silent history for oncologic and hematologic diseases; planned of receiving the A (H1N1) vaccine
* Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Infusion of human Immunoglobulin ongoing or within prior 30 days
* Therapy with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies ongoing or within prior 30 days
* Therapy with IL-1 or IL-2 or IFN-gamma ongoing or within prior 30 days
* Autologous PBSCT less than 1 month or Allogeneic PBSCT less than 6 months
* Pregnancy or lactation
* Type I hypersensitivity
* Ongoing Anticoagulant therapy or platelets \< 50000/ul

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