Response to “COVID-19 in persons with haematological cancers”

Changes in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Practices in Response to COVID-19: A Survey from the Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation

“…More infections were observed in autologous cases, unfortunately also with 1 fatal outcome, but no increased severe events and adverse reactions due to G-CSF or hyperinflammation were reported in this group. Recent studies have identified cancer patients as a vulnerable population with a high risk of morbidity due to COVID-19 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ; however, published case fatality rates vary widely (62% vs 13%), depending also on patient age and comorbidities 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 .…”

COVID-19 infection in hematopoietic cell transplantation: age, time from transplant and steroids matter

“…We read with great interest the paper by He et al [1] on the outcome of COVID-19 infection in hematological malignancy patients. This study was one of the first to report the outcome in hematological malignancy patients and since then many others have reported theirs [2][3][4][5]. Most of these studies [1][2][3][4]6] included none or very few hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients (N < 4) and therefore we like to present the largest data to our knowledge of the impact of COVID 19 infection in HCT recipients.…”

“…This study was one of the first to report the outcome in hematological malignancy patients and since then many others have reported theirs [2][3][4][5]. Most of these studies [1][2][3][4]6] included none or very few hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) recipients (N < 4) and therefore we like to present the largest data to our knowledge of the impact of COVID 19 infection in HCT recipients. We identified 34 HCT recipients [autologous, (autoHCT) N = 14 and allogeneic, (alloHCT) N = 20] diagnosed with COVID-19 across 4 cancer centers (Rush University, The University of Chicago, Mount Sinai and Northwestern University) in Chicago and New York City.…”

Immunosuppression in hematological cancer patients with Covid-19 —Uncomplicated infections but delayed viral clearance?

“…(https://www.icnarc.org/DataServices/Attachments/Download/ da19fd54-70b2-ea11-9127-00505601089b). Based on the observation of correlation between longitudinal changes in Ct values and the ALC following Covid-19 diagnosis, we cautiously suggest that immunosuppression may potentially delay clearance of Covid-19, [8] but this hypothesis requires confirmation with a truly quantitative RT-PCR assay taking into account the validity of the standard curve with reference materials or in-house plasmid controls with assigned viral copy numbers [9] before the clinical significance can be ascertained. Supporting the expert panel recommendations for disease management during the Covid-19 pandemic [10], our report emphasizes the importance of adapting anti-cancer therapies to each patient's needs, but without undue concern about the immunosuppressive consequences of treatment.…”