PB2283: COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2 INFECTION) IN LYMPHOMA PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Observations from initial case series suggested that cancer patients in general might have an unfavorable outcome following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), due to their underlying conditions and cytotoxic treatments. Lymphoma patients may be especially vulnerable, due to the immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation caused by the lymphoma itself and the antitumor treatments. Aims: analysis of the flow of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in cases of the patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma on the background of specific treatment. Patients with lymphoma appear particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, only partly because of the detrimental effects of the anti-neoplastic regimens (chemotherapy, pathway inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies) on the immune system. Methods: The National Cancer Institute conducted a retrospective analysis of the course of the disease on COVID-19 from March 2020 to October 2021. The study included 87 patients. The average age of the patients was 30.4 years (from 23 to 75 years old). 60 patients had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, 19 patients had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and 8 had multiple myeloma. Results: Coronavirus disease in 85 % of the patients was confirmed by PCR, in 15% - by IFM (detected IgM). Severe cases of coronavirus disease were observed in 19.23 %, moderate severity - in 53.8% of the patients, light- in 26.9%. Covid-19 pneumonia was diagnosed in 74.71% of the patients. The duration of coronavirus disease ranged from 7 to 60 days, on average of 26.56 days, in cases of 22 patients (25.28 %) - more than 30 days. 18 patients (20.68%) died due to complications of coronavirus disease. Fatalities were more common among patients with DBCL - 29.16 %, and among patients with recurrent and refractory forms of the disease - 33.33 %. The type of anticancer therapy affected the outcome of the disease, mortality was more common among patients receiving chemotherapy RB and RdaEPOCH regimens, respectively 31.57 % and 40%. Among of toxicity after continued special treatment in 11.5 % patients were recorded complications - pulmonitis, 8 patients with thromboembolic complications, 1 patient developed pulmonary embolism. Patients after infection before the start of special treatment required a recovery period, which averaged 21.7 days, ranging from 7 to 60 days. Summary/Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is of particular concern for morbidity and mortality of patients with lymphoma due to their immunodeficiency status and 11.5% caused by the disease itself and / or its treatment. Patients with lymphoproliferative diseases are more likely to have moderate COVID-19 disease, mortality from complications is higher than in cases of the population and makes up 20.68%.