# Project 1: Characterization of the Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Lung Cancer Patients

> **NIH NIH U54** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2024 · $119,920

## Abstract

PROJECT 1: ABSTRACT
Current information indicates that, in persons without cancer, natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 as well as
vaccination with COVID-19 vaccine candidates induce antibody responses to the spike protein of the virus
which should be protective against future infection. Lung cancer patients who become infected with SARS-
CoV-2 appear to develop severe COVID-19 with a high (35-40%) mortality rate indicating we urgently need to
plan for vaccine trials in this vulnerable population. Currently we have major knowledge gaps to fill in
preparation for such vaccine studies. These include: is there a higher incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in lung cancer
patients compared to the general population? Do lung cancer patients mount a comparable antibody response
in terms of quantity, quality, and longevity to people without lung cancer? Equally important are information in
lung cancer patients on the role of age, gender, smoking status, histology, and types of treatment for lung
cancer on both SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and generation of antibody responses. Through prospective
analyses of lung cancer cases (N= 1,000) and matched controls (N = 1,000) this Project “Characterization of
the Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Lung Cancer Patients” will provide answers to these important
questions through study of 4 specific aims and the use of our U54 Administrative, Clinical, and Data
Sciences Cores. Aim 1: Characterize the incident, magnitude and functionality of the antibody response to
SARS-CoV-2 in lung cancer patients versus non-lung cancer controls. Aim 2: Compare the longevity of the
antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in lung cancer patients versus non-lung cancer controls. Aim 3:
Evaluate the impact of patient demographics and cancer-associated clinical factors on the antibody response
in lung cancer patients. And Aim 4: Characterize antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in lung
cancer patients versus non-lung cancer controls. The patient serology specimens will also be studied for viral
neutralizing functionality in collaboration with U54 Project 2. We have assembled a world-class team of lung
cancer clinical translational investigators, serology and virology experts, and patient advocates to address
these key issues. The results of this Project will have a significant impact on lung cancer patient management
during the COVID-19 pandemic, and even greater impact on designing optimal SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
regimens for lung cancer patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11171020
- **Project number:** 3U54CA260560-02S3
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Florian Krammer
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $119,920
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11171020

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11171020, Project 1: Characterization of the Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 in Lung Cancer Patients (3U54CA260560-02S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11171020. Licensed CC0.

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