National Cancer Institute study identifies biomarkers to predict vaccine response

Researchers at the United States National Cancer Institute’s SeroNet program have discovered that pre-existing antibodies to common microbes can predict how an individual will respond to new vaccines. The study, published in Cell Press, utilized artificial intelligence to analyze over 8,000 blood samples from more than 4,000 participants, including healthy volunteers and individuals with weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV or organ transplantation.

By examining antibodies against 185 antigens, the team identified “sentinel antibodies” that serve as indicators of a person’s likely immune response. These universal antimicrobial signatures were positively associated with the top 25% of high COVID-19 vaccine responders. This finding suggests that certain biomarkers can predict vaccine efficacy even before administration, potentially identifying those who are more “immune-ready” than others.