ANTIBODY-RESPONSE TO A 2-DOSE INFLUENZA VACCINE REGIMEN IN ADULT LYMPHOMA PATIENTS ON CHEMOTHERAPY

A study was conducted to determine if a two-dose regimen of influenza vaccine would enhance the immunologic response of 41 patients with lym phoma receiving chemotherapy. Hemagglutinin-inhibiting antibody respon ses to influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B virus occurred in 32 %, 24 % and 20 % of patients following one dose, and in 49 %, 41 % and 46 % of pa tients following two doses, respectively. Responses to one or more vac cine components occurred in 42 % of patients after one dose and in 71 % after two doses. Fifty percent of the patients who did not respond a fter one dose responded after two doses. A two-dose regimen of influen za immunization may significantly enhance the response rate of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.