COVID-19

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is advising individuals who are immunocompromised, including those with cancer, to receive a fifth COVID-19 vaccination.

The administration of a third dose of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine yielded seroconversion responses in patients treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation or cellular therapy following initial failure of seroconversion after the first 2 vaccine doses.

Administration of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine resulted in heterogeneous immune response in patients with chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD), further highlighting concerns about protection against infection or severe COVID-19 disease in this population

CoVac-1, a multi-peptide COVID-19 vaccine, elicited promising T-cell activity and safety in patients with cancer who have disease- or treatment-related immunoglobulin deficiency.

Women of all races and ethnicities who were referred to a colposcopy clinic for cervical cancer screening following an abnormal Pap smear during the COVID-19 pandemic had a higher likelihood of not adhering to their appointment compared with appointment data collected prior to the pandemic.

Data from a retrospective observational study revealed that White patients with hematologic malignancies in the United States had significantly higher uptake of telemedicine vs Black patients, reflecting disparities that require further exploration.

Muhammad Bilal Abid, MD, MRCP, discusses clinical takeaways regarding the standard use of a third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine dose among patients treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, and bispecific T-cell engagers.

The pandemic appears to have caused or contributed to a number of lasting changes in the way oncologists provide clinical care to their patients.

The US Senate has confirmed Robert M. Califf, MD, a prominent cardiologist and expert in clinical trials, as the latest FDA commissioner today in a 50-46 vote.

The long-term dramatic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer research and patient care present several challenges but also future opportunities.

Treatment with rituximab prior to COVID-19 vaccination nearly halved the number of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed blocking antibodies following COVID-19 vaccination compared with healthy controls.

Patients with cancer should be fully immunized against COVID-19, including third doses and/or any approved boosters.

Christopher S. Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, discusses the lack of dissemination and implementation of evidence-based health care delivery innovations focused on addressing disparities in care.

The long-acting antibody combination of tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab has been granted emergency use authorization in the United States for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.

A little self-reflection and a lot of self-compassion go a long way in a world of immense change.

At the onset of the pandemic, hematology/oncology physicians were challenged in counseling patients with serious underlying malignant conditions about their risk for severe disease due to COVID-19.

Mortality rates in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were higher compared with non-cancer populations who were infected with the virus.

Maurie Markman, MD, discusses how agency leaders should be encouraged to improve regulatory science, include a patient’s perspective in approval decisions, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and costs associated with the conduct of trials, and accelerate the overall review process for drug approval.

Telemedicine solidified its role as a new standard in patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Three doses of the SARS-CoV2 vaccine were shown to be safe and effective in patients with lung cancer, particularly in those with minimal serologic response after receiving only 2 doses.