How I treat and prevent COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of cellular therapies

Firas El Chaer, Jeffery J. Auletta, Roy F. Chemaly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are more likely to experience severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have a higher risk of morbidity and mortality after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Compared with the general population, these patients have suboptimal humoral responses to COVID-19 vaccines and subsequently increased risk for breakthrough infections, underscoring the need for additional therapies, including pre- and postexposure prophylaxis, to attenuate clinical progression to severe COVID-19. Therapies for COVID-19 are mostly available for adults and in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Selection and administration of the best treatment options are based on host factors; virus factors, including circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants; and therapeutic considerations, including the clinical efficacy, availability, and practicality of treatment and its associated side effects, including drug-drug interactions. In this paper, we discuss how we approach managing COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of HCT and cell therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)673-684
Number of pages12
JournalBlood
Volume140
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 18 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'How I treat and prevent COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies and recipients of cellular therapies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this