Validation of "SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines sensitize tumors to immune checkpoint blockade" in an independent cohort of 4,407 patients

Cancer Lett. 2026 Apr 10:643:218319. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2026.218319. Epub 2026 Feb 12.

Abstract

A recent study1 has demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination within 100 days of initiating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is associated with improved overall survival (OS) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and malignant melanoma. We sought to validate these findings in an independent and larger real-world cohort. Using clinical and survival data from the Clalit Health Services, we reproduced the primary analyses of Grippin et al. and confirmed that COVID-19 mRNA vaccination near the time of ICI initiation correlates with improved patient outcomes.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitor; Melanoma; Non-small cell lung cancer; SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / immunology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • COVID-19* / virology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* / mortality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / mortality
  • Male
  • Melanoma* / drug therapy
  • Melanoma* / immunology
  • Melanoma* / mortality
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2* / immunology

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • COVID-19 Vaccines