Background There is limited data on outcomes in cancer patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) from lower middle‐income countries (LMICs). Patients and Methods This was an observational study, conducted between 12 April and 10 June 2020 at Tata Memorial centre, Mumbai, in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy with laboratory confirmed COVID‐19. The objectives were to evaluate cumulative 30‐day all‐cause mortality, COVID‐19 attributable mortality, factors predicting mortality, and time to viral negativity after initial diagnosis. Results Of the 24 660 footfalls and 7043 patients evaluated, 230 patients on active systemic therapy with a median age of 42 (1‐75) years were included. COVID‐19 infection severity, as per WHO criteria, was mild, moderate, and severe in 195 (85%), 11 (5%), and 24 (11%) patients, respectively. Twenty‐three patients (10%) expired during follow‐up, with COVID‐19 attributable mortality seen in 15 patients (6.5%). There were no mortalities in the pediatric cohort of 31 (14%) patients. Advanced stage cancer being treated with palliative intent vs others [30‐day mortality 24%% vs 5%, odds ratio (OR) 5.6, 95% CI 2.28‐13.78, P < .001], uncontrolled cancer status vs controlled cancer (30‐day mortality37.5%% vs 4%%, OR 14, 95% CI 4.46‐44.16, P < .001) and severe COVID‐19 vs mild COVID‐19 (30‐day mortality 71% vs 3%, OR 92.29, 95% CI 26.43‐322.21, P < .001) were significantly associated with mortality. The median time to SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR negativity was 17 days [interquartile range (IQR)17‐28) in the cohort. Conclusions The mortality rates in cancer patients with COVID‐19 who are receiving systemic anti‐cancer therapy in LMICSs are marginally higher than that reported in unselected COVID‐19 cohorts with prolonged time to viral negativity in a substantial number of patients. The pediatric cancer patients tended to have favorable outcomes.

PURPOSE Infections remain a major challenge in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Induction-related mortality reported in the literature is approximately < 5% in clinical trials. However, the real-world scenario is different, especially in developing countries, given the high incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, high incidence of fungal pneumonia at baseline, and significant delay before initiation of chemotherapy. We aimed to look at contemporary infections and infection-related mortality and analyze the patterns of infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was conducted at a large tertiary care oncology center in India. Patients with newly diagnosed AML who were older than age 15 years, considered fit for intensive therapy, and treated in the general wards of the adult hematolymphoid unit from March 1, 2014, until December 31, 2015, were included. RESULTS One hundred twenty-one patients were treated during the study period. The most common presenting complaint was fever (85%). The focus of infection at presentation was found in 63% of patients, with respiratory infection being the most common (47%). MDR organisms were isolated in 55% of patients during induction from various foci. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common blood culture isolate (42.9%). Fungal pneumonia was diagnosed in 55% of patients during induction despite antifungal prophylaxis. Treatment-related mortality was 10.7% in all phases, with an induction mortality rate of 7.4%. Complete remission was attained in 69% of patients. Of all patients who received induction chemotherapy, 74% completed all three consolidation cycles. The 121 patients were followed up for a median period of 53 months. Four-year event-free survival was 35.8%, and 4-year overall survival was 41.5%. CONCLUSION Infections and infection-related mortality are major challenges during AML induction. Gram-negative MDR and fungal infections are particularly common in our region.

The use of pediatrics-inspired protocols in adolescent and young adult (AYA) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) results in superior survival compared with the adult protocols. Pediatrics-inspired protocols carry an increased risk of toxicity and treatment-related mortality in low resource settings, which can offset the potential benefits. We studied the outcomes and prognostic factors in the treatment of AYA ALL with a pediatrics-inspired regimen. We retrieved data regarding demographics, investigations, treatment details, and toxicities from the electronic medical records of patients diagnosed with ALL in the 15- to 25-year-old age group who were initiated on a modified Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster 90 (BFM-90) protocol between January 2013 and December 2016 at the Tata Memorial Centre. A total of 349 patients in the 15- to 25-year-old age group were treated with a modified BFM-90 protocol. The use of this pediatrics-inspired protocol resulted in a 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of 59.4% and 61.8%, respectively. Only 15 patients underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Minimal residual disease (MRD) persistence postinduction emerged as the only factor predictive of poor outcomes. A modified BFM-90 protocol is an effective and safe regimen for AYA ALL with an OS and EFS comparable to the published literature.