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Mostaghim A, Minkove S, Aguilar-Company J, Ruiz-Camps I, Eremiev-Eremiev S, Dettorre GM, Fox L, Tondini C, Brunet J, Carmona-García MC, Lambertini M, Bower M, Newsom-Davis T, Sharkey R, Pria AD, Rossi M, Plaja A, Salazar R, Sureda A, Prat A, Michalarea V, Van Hemelrijck M, Sita-Lumsden A, Bertuzzi A, Rimassa L, Rossi S, Rizzo G, Pedrazzoli P, Lee AJ, Murphy C, Belessiotis K, Diamantis N, Mukherjee U, Pommeret F, Stoclin A, Martinez-Vila C, Bruna R, Gaidano G, D'Avanzo F, Gennari A, Athale J, Eichacker P, Pinato DJ, Torabi-Parizi P, Cortellini A. Previous immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with decreased COVID-19-related hospitalizations and complications in patients with cancer: Results of a propensity-matched analysis of the OnCovid registry. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 139:13-20. [PMID: 38029831 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To date, studies have not provided definitive answers regarding whether previous immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment alters outcomes for cancer patients with COVID-19. METHODS The OnCovid registry (NCT04393974) was searched from February 27, 2020, to January 31, 2022, for patients who received systemic anti-cancer therapy in the 4 weeks before laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. Propensity-score matching using country, vaccination status, primary tumor type, sex, age, comorbidity burden, tumor stage, and remission status investigated differences in predefined clinical outcomes comparing those who had or had not received ICIs. RESULTS Of 3523 patients screened, 137 ICI-only and 1378 non-ICI met inclusion criteria. Before matching, ICI patients were older, male, enrolled at centers in Italy, and had histories of smoking, thoracic cancers, advanced cancer stages, and active malignancies (P ≤0.02). After matching, there were 120 ICI and 322 non-ICI patients. ICI patients had no differences (odds ratio: 95% CI) in presenting COVID-19 symptoms (0.69: 0.37-1.28), receipt of COVID-specific therapy (0.88: 0.54-1.41), 14-day (0.95: 0.56-1.61), or 28-day (0.79: 0.48-1.29) mortalities. However, ICI patients required less COVID-19-related hospitalization (0.37: 0.21-0.67) and oxygen therapy (0.51: 0.31-0.83) and developed fewer complications (0.57: 0.36-0.92). CONCLUSION In this propensity-score matched analysis, previous ICI therapy did not worsen and potentially improved COVID-19 outcomes in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Mostaghim
- Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Samuel Minkove
- Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - Juan Aguilar-Company
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain; Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Ruiz-Camps
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain; Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Simeon Eremiev-Eremiev
- Medical Oncology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain; Infectious Diseases, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gino M Dettorre
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
| | - Laura Fox
- Department of Hematology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlo Tondini
- Oncology Unit, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Joan Brunet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, University Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | - MCarmen Carmona-García
- Department of Medical Oncology, Catalan Institute of Oncology, University Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | - Matteo Lambertini
- Medical Oncology Department, U.O. Clinica di Oncologia Medica, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DiMI), School of Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Mark Bower
- Department of Oncology and National Centre for HIV Malignancy, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Thomas Newsom-Davis
- Department of Oncology and National Centre for HIV Malignancy, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachel Sharkey
- Department of Oncology and National Centre for HIV Malignancy, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alessia Dalla Pria
- Department of Oncology and National Centre for HIV Malignancy, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maura Rossi
- Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera "SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria, Italy
| | - Andrea Plaja
- Medical Oncology Department, B-ARGO Group, IGTP, Catalan Institute of Oncology-Badalona, Spain
| | - Ramon Salazar
- Department of Medical Oncology, ICO L'Hospitalet, Oncobell Program (IDIBELL), CIBERONC, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Sureda
- Haematology Department, ICO Hospitalet, Hospitalet de Llobregat, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aleix Prat
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vasiliki Michalarea
- Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), London, UK
| | - Mieke Van Hemelrijck
- Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), London, UK; Translational Oncology and Urology Research (TOUR), School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ailsa Sita-Lumsden
- Medical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT), London, UK
| | - Alexia Bertuzzi
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenza Rimassa
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Unit, Humanitas Cancer Center, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Rizzo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrazzoli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alvin Jx Lee
- Cancer Division, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | - Cian Murphy
- Cancer Division, University College London Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | - Uma Mukherjee
- Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Fanny Pommeret
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Annabelle Stoclin
- Department of Cancer Medicine, Institut Gustave Roussy, University of Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | | | - Riccardo Bruna
- Division of Haematology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale and Ospedale Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Gianluca Gaidano
- Division of Haematology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale and Ospedale Maggiore della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesca D'Avanzo
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gennari
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Janhavi Athale
- Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, USA
| | - Peter Eichacker
- Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, Bethesda, USA
| | - David J Pinato
- Division of Oncology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy; Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College of London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Parizad Torabi-Parizi
- Critical Care Medicine Department, Clinical Center and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Alessio Cortellini
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College of London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK; Medical Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Roma, Italy.
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New J, Cham J, Smith L, Puglisi L, Huynh T, Kurian S, Bagsic S, Fielding R, Hong L, Reddy P, Eum KS, Martin A, Barrick B, Marsh C, Quigley M, Nicholson LJ, Pandey AC. Effects of antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents on postvaccination SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections, antibody response, and serological cytokine profile. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008233. [PMID: 38296596 PMCID: PMC10831464 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite immunization, patients on antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents have a heightened risk of COVID-19 infection. However, accurately attributing this risk to specific medications remains challenging. METHODS An observational cohort study from December 11, 2020 to September 22, 2022, within a large healthcare system in San Diego, California, USA was designed to identify medications associated with greatest risk of postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection. Adults prescribed WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classified antineoplastic and immunomodulating medications were matched (by age, sex, race, and number of immunizations) with control patients not prescribed these medications yielding a population of 26 724 patients for analysis. From this population, 218 blood samples were collected from an enrolled subset to assess serological response and cytokine profile in relation to immunization. RESULTS Prescription of WHO ATC classified antineoplastic and immunomodulatory agents was associated with elevated postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (HR 1.50, 95% CI 1.38 to 1.63). While multiple immunization doses demonstrated a decreased association with postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, antineoplastic and immunomodulatory treated patients with four doses remained at heightened risk (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.43). Risk variation was identified among medication subclasses, with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibiting monoclonal antibodies, calcineurin inhibitors, and CD20 monoclonal antibody inhibitors identified to associate with increased risk of postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antineoplastic and immunomodulatory treated patients also displayed a reduced IgG antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 epitopes alongside a unique serum cytokine profile. CONCLUSIONS Antineoplastic and immunomodulating medications associate with an elevated risk of postimmunization SARS-CoV-2 infection in a drug-specific manner. This comprehensive, unbiased analysis of all WHO ATC classified antineoplastic and immunomodulating medications identifies medications associated with greatest risk. These findings are crucial in guiding and refining vaccination strategies for patients prescribed these treatments, ensuring optimized protection for this susceptible population in future COVID-19 variant surges and potentially for other RNA immunization targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob New
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jason Cham
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lana Smith
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Leah Puglisi
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tridu Huynh
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sunil Kurian
- Scripps Organ Transplantation Research & Biorepository, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Russel Fielding
- Strategy & Planning, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lee Hong
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Priya Reddy
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ki Suk Eum
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Rheumatology, Veterans Administration Pacific Islands Healthcare System, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Allison Martin
- Scripps Organ Transplantation Research & Biorepository, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Bethany Barrick
- Scripps Organ Transplantation Research & Biorepository, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Christopher Marsh
- Scripps Organ Transplantation Research & Biorepository, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Laura J Nicholson
- Medicine, Scripps Health, La Jolla, California, USA
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Amitabh C Pandey
- Scripps Research Translational Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Medicine, Section of Cardiology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Medicine, Southeast Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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Adhikary S, Pathak S, Palani V, Acar A, Banerjee A, Al-Dewik NI, Essa MM, Mohammed SGAA, Qoronfleh MW. Current Technologies and Future Perspectives in Immunotherapy towards a Clinical Oncology Approach. Biomedicines 2024; 12:217. [PMID: 38255322 PMCID: PMC10813720 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is now established as a potent therapeutic paradigm engendering antitumor immune response against a wide range of malignancies and other diseases by modulating the immune system either through the stimulation or suppression of immune components such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. By targeting several immune checkpoint inhibitors or blockers (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, LAG3, and TIM-3) expressed on the surface of immune cells, several monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies have been developed and already translated clinically. In addition, natural killer cell-based, dendritic cell-based, and CAR T cell therapies have been also shown to be promising and effective immunotherapeutic approaches. In particular, CAR T cell therapy has benefited from advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, allowing the generation of several modified CAR T cells with enhanced antitumor immunity. However, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 infection could hijack a patient's immune system by releasing pro-inflammatory interleukins and cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10, and IFN-γ and TNF-α, respectively, which can further promote neutrophil extravasation and the vasodilation of blood vessels. Despite the significant development of advanced immunotherapeutic technologies, after a certain period of treatment, cancer relapses due to the development of resistance to immunotherapy. Resistance may be primary (where tumor cells do not respond to the treatment), or secondary or acquired immune resistance (where tumor cells develop resistance gradually to ICIs therapy). In this context, this review aims to address the existing immunotherapeutic technologies against cancer and the resistance mechanisms against immunotherapeutic drugs, and explain the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment. In addition, we will discuss what will be the future implementation of these strategies against cancer drug resistance. Finally, we will emphasize the practical steps to lay the groundwork for enlightened policy for intervention and resource allocation to care for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhamay Adhikary
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Surajit Pathak
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Vignesh Palani
- Faculty of Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Ahmet Acar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye;
| | - Antara Banerjee
- Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai 603103, India
| | - Nader I. Al-Dewik
- Department of Pediatrics, Women’s Wellness and Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 00974, Qatar;
| | - Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
| | | | - M. Walid Qoronfleh
- Research & Policy Division, Q3 Research Institute (QRI), Ypsilanti, MI 48917, USA
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Ai Y, Wang H, Zheng Q, Li S, Liu J, Huang J, Tang J, Meng X. Add fuel to the fire: Inflammation and immune response in lung cancer combined with COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1174184. [PMID: 37033918 PMCID: PMC10076709 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1174184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic has had an unprecedented and persistent impact on oncological practice, especially for patients with lung cancer, who are more vulnerable to the virus than the normal population. Indeed, the onset, progression, and prognosis of the two diseases may in some cases influence each other, and inflammation is an important link between them. The original chronic inflammatory environment of lung cancer patients may increase the risk of infection with COVID-19 and exacerbate secondary damage. Meanwhile, the acute inflammation caused by COVID-19 may induce tumour progression or cause immune activation. In this article, from the perspective of the immune microenvironment, the pathophysiological changes in the lungs and whole body of these special patients will be summarised and analysed to explore the possible immunological storm, immunosuppression, and immune escape phenomenon caused by chronic inflammation complicated by acute inflammation. The effects of COVID-19 on immune cells, inflammatory factors, chemokines, and related target proteins in the immune microenvironment of tumours are also discussed, as well as the potential role of the COVID-19 vaccine and immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting. Finally, we provide recommendations for the treatment of lung cancer combined with COVID-19 in this special group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Ai
- Department of Oncology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hengyi Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Zheng
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Songtao Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingwen Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ju Huang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianyuan Tang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Clinical School of Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jianyuan Tang, ; Xiangrui Meng,
| | - Xiangrui Meng
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Clinical School of Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Jianyuan Tang, ; Xiangrui Meng,
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Tsiakos K, Gavrielatou N, Vathiotis IA, Chatzis L, Chatzis S, Poulakou G, Kotteas E, Syrigos NK. Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Axis Inhibition in Viral Infections: Clinical Data and Therapeutic Opportunities. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10101673. [PMID: 36298538 PMCID: PMC9611078 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A vital function of the immune system is the modulation of an evolving immune response. It is responsible for guarding against a wide variety of pathogens as well as the establishment of memory responses to some future hostile encounters. Simultaneously, it maintains self-tolerance and minimizes collateral tissue damage at sites of inflammation. In recent years, the regulation of T-cell responses to foreign or self-protein antigens and maintenance of balance between T-cell subsets have been linked to a distinct class of cell surface and extracellular components, the immune checkpoint molecules. The fact that both cancer and viral infections exploit similar, if not the same, immune checkpoint molecules to escape the host immune response highlights the need to study the impact of immune checkpoint blockade on viral infections. More importantly, the process through which immune checkpoint blockade completely changed the way we approach cancer could be the key to decipher the potential role of immunotherapy in the therapeutic algorithm of viral infections. This review focuses on the effect of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 blockade on the outcome of viral infections in cancer patients as well as the potential benefit from the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in treatment of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Tsiakos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Niki Gavrielatou
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Ioannis A. Vathiotis
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Loukas Chatzis
- Pathophysiology Department, Athens School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Chatzis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Hippokration” Hospital, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Garyfallia Poulakou
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Kotteas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos K. Syrigos
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
- Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Impact of COVID-19 on the liver and on the care of patients with chronic liver disease, hepatobiliary cancer, and liver transplantation: An updated EASL position paper. J Hepatol 2022; 77:1161-1197. [PMID: 35868584 PMCID: PMC9296253 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a serious challenge to the hepatology community, particularly healthcare professionals and patients. While the rapid development of safe and effective vaccines and treatments has improved the clinical landscape, the emergence of the omicron variant has presented new challenges. Thus, it is timely that the European Association for the Study of the Liver provides a summary of the latest data on the impact of COVID-19 on the liver and issues guidance on the care of patients with chronic liver disease, hepatobiliary cancer, and previous liver transplantation, as the world continues to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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7
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Anastasopoulou A, Gkoufa A, Diamantopoulos P, Kazanas S, Eliadi I, Samarkos M, Gogas H. Clinical course of COVID-19 infection in a melanoma patient treated with nivolumab and bempegaldesleukin: a case report. Immunotherapy 2022; 14:1015-1020. [PMID: 35852114 PMCID: PMC9295713 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2021-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The exact impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the course and outcome of COVID-19 in cancer patients is currently unclear. Herein, we present the first description of an elderly melanoma patient who developed COVID-19 pneumonia while under treatment with nivolumab and bempegaldesleukin in combination with an investigational PEGylated interleukin (IL-2). We present the clinical characteristics and the laboratory and imaging findings of our patient during the course of COVID-19 pneumonia. Moreover, we discuss the currently available data regarding the mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors and IL-2 analogs in the treatment of COVID-19. The administration of these agents did not have a negative effect on the outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia in an elderly melanoma patient. Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a major advance in the treatment of several solid malignancies, including melanoma. Bempegaldesleukin is an investigational PEGylated IL-2 that is being evaluated, in combination with nivolumab, in the management of a variety of cancers. The immunomodulation caused by these agents may also modify the immune response in COVID-19. Currently available data regarding the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors in reducing the severity of COVID-19 in patients with cancer are mixed, whereas no clinical data are available for bempegaldesleukin. Herein, we report the case of an elderly female melanoma patient who developed COVID-19 pneumonia while under treatment with nivolumab and bempegaldesleukin. The administration of these agents did not have a negative effect on the outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia in our patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amalia Anastasopoulou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Gkoufa
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Diamantopoulos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Spyridon Kazanas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Irene Eliadi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Michael Samarkos
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Helen Gogas
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School of National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
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Goldman JD, Gonzalez MA, Rüthrich MM, Sharon E, von Lilienfeld-Toal M. COVID-19 and Cancer: Special Considerations for Patients Receiving Immunotherapy and Immunosuppressive Cancer Therapies. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2022; 42:1-13. [PMID: 35658503 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_359656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Patients with cancer generally have a higher risk of adverse outcomes from COVID-19, with higher age, male sex, poor performance status, cancer type, and uncontrolled malignant disease as the main risk factors. However, the influence of specific cancer therapies varies and raises concerns during the pandemic. In patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy or other immunosuppressive cancer treatments, we summarize the evidence on outcomes from COVID-19; address the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination; and review COVID-19 antiviral therapeutics for the patient with cancer. Despite higher mortality for patients with cancer, treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors does not seem to increase mortality risk based on observational evidence. Inhibitory therapies directed toward B-cell lineages, including monoclonal antibodies against CD20 and CAR T-cell therapies, are associated with poor outcomes in COVID-19; however, the data are sparse. Regarding vaccination in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, clinical efficacy comparable to that in the general population can be expected. In patients undergoing B-cell-depleting therapy, immunogenicity and clinical efficacy are curtailed, but vaccination is not futile, which is thought to be due to the cellular response. Vaccine reactogenicity and toxicity in all groups of patients with cancer are comparable to that of the general population. Preexposure prophylaxis with monoclonal antibodies directed against the viral spike may provide passive immunity for those not likely to mount an adequate vaccine response. If infected, prompt treatment with monoclonal antibodies or oral small molecule antivirals is beneficial, though with oral antiviral therapies, care must be taken to avoid drug interactions in patients with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason D Goldman
- Swedish Center for Research and Innovation, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA.,Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Michael A Gonzalez
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Maria Madeleine Rüthrich
- Klinik für Notfallmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Elad Sharon
- Division of Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.,Klinik für Innere Medizin II, Abteilung für Hämatologie und internistische Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany
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