In the SARS‐CoV‐2 era, do we need to be afraid of obinutuzumab?

Abstract

In their paper, Pinto et al. report findings from the Italian URBAN study; an ambispective, observational, multicentre study evaluating the safety and efficacy of obinutuzumab‐based therapy for advanced stage follicular lymphoma (FL) in routine practice. The URBAN substudy reported here examined severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) outcomes in 299 patients with treatment‐naïve advanced stage FL, treated with obinutuzumab‐based chemoimmunotherapy and maintenance. The study began enrolling in September 2019, continuing enrolment throughout the pandemic, with cut‐off for the current analysis of 31 January 2022; thus, it provides unique insights into various pandemic phases, including the impact of administration of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination.Commentary on: Pinto et al. Exposure to obinutuzumab does not affect outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in vaccinated patients with newly diagnosed advanced‐stage follicular lymphoma. Br J Haematol 2024 (Online ahead of print). doi: 10.1111/bjh.19661.