Abstract
PurposeDuring COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients are considered one of the most vulnerable to infection since they tend to have advanced age, multiple comorbidities, and are often immunosuppressed by their cancer or therapy. Hence, the Saudi Oncology Pharmacy Assembly has issued recommendations to reduce the frequency of cancer patients’ visits to oncology centers during the pandemic while maintaining the access to cancer therapy and minimize the risk of exposure to coronavirus disease.Materials and methodsA qualitative methodological approach was conducted in April 2020 using a virtual panel discussion for collection of recommendations.ResultsA total of 12 expert oncology pharmacy practitioners shared their knowledge and experiences in managing oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants recognized many fundamental recommendations that were already applied in many cancer centers since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. On that basis, the panelists developed eight practice-related recommendations for action, with a main focus on cancer treatment modification.ConclusionsIn conclusion, delivering cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic carries significant challenges. This paper addressed suggestions to properly manage cancer patients during difficult times. Implementing changes in practice mandates a national collaborative effort from different sectors to guarantee the quality and continuity of care. The SOPA expert panel developed these recommendations, to ultimately contribute in maintaining access to cancer therapy while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Highlights
A novel coronavirus was isolated and reported in Wuhan, China, in January 2020. It is termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing a respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in infected individuals
For gastric cancer, delaying adjuvant chemotherapy more than six to eight weeks was associated with inferior overall survival (HR 1⁄4 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.38; p 1⁄4 0.01).[12]
In the light of the above supporting evidence of delaying adjuvant chemotherapy to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure, delaying adjuvant chemotherapy for a maximum of 12 weeks in early stages breast cancer, and for not more than 8 weeks in colorectal and gastric cancer can be considered
Summary
A novel coronavirus was isolated and reported in Wuhan, China, in January 2020. It is termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing a respiratory disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in infected individuals. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) experts published their insights and advice on how to continue providing the best cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic They stressed on the significance of keeping open communication between administrators, staff, patients, caregivers, and the general public. In the light of the above supporting evidence of delaying adjuvant chemotherapy to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure, delaying adjuvant chemotherapy for a maximum of 12 weeks in early stages breast cancer (excluding TNBC & HER2-positive Breast Cancer), and for not more than 8 weeks in colorectal and gastric cancer can be considered Since their introduction, immune checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed the treatment landscape in oncology, offering durable responses and improved. Delaying adjuvant chemotherapy within the recommended range of treatment initiation
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