COVID-19 | Specialty

The OncLive COVID-19 condition center page is a comprehensive resource for clinical news and expert insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple areas of oncology care and practice. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts encompassing data of patients with COVID-19 and cancer, oncology drugs being tested against the virus, vaccine information for patients with cancer, and more.

AACR Report Highlights How COVID-19 Touches Every Aspect of Cancer Care and Research

February 10th 2022

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

Prior Rituximab Reduces the Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccination in Lymphoma

February 9th 2022

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.

NCCN Recommends Full COVID-19 Vaccination ASAP for Most Patients With Cancer

January 27th 2022

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

Basu on Getting Ahead of the Shadow Curve of COVID-19 in Oncology

January 13th 2022

Dr Basu discusses the “shadow curve” that could result from disruptions in cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and innovative strategies that Cancer Treatment Centers of America are taking to avoid this.

Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Access in Oncology Care Delivery Requires Multilevel Interventions

January 13th 2022

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.

FDA Grants Emergency Use Authorization to Long-Acting Antibody Combo for COVID-19 Prevention

January 5th 2022

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.

Cautiously Reentering the World

December 25th 2021

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

COVID-19 Pandemic Highlights Underrecognized Vulnerability of Patients With CLL

December 24th 2021

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.

Active Disease, ICU Deferral Linked With COVID-19–Related Mortality in AML, ALL, and MDS

December 12th 2021

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.

Oncology Drug Regulation Faces an Uncertain Future

December 1st 2021

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.

Practice Recommendations Make Room for Telemedicine in Oncology Care

November 25th 2021

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

Third SARS-CoV2 Vaccine Shows Evidence of Seroconversion in Lung Cancer

November 19th 2021

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.

mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines May Decrease Efficacy in Lymphoid Malignancies

November 19th 2021

Patients with lymphoid malignancies, especially those who have received recent anti-CD20 antibody therapy, have reduced humoral responses to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and as such, should continue to take precautionary measures against COVID-19 infection irrespective of vaccination status.

Mortality Rate Associated With COVID-19 Breakthrough Cases Remains High in Hematologic Malignancies

November 18th 2021

Although mortality rates in patients with hematologic cancers who develop breakthrough COVID-19 cases after vaccination are high, there has been a significant decrease in incidence since vaccines have become available.

Loss of In-Person Patient Interaction is Key Factor in Pandemic-Related Burnout Among Oncologists

November 17th 2021

Although community oncologists and hematologists were concerned about loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of in-person patient interaction was cited as the key factor impacting their professional satisfaction.

Patients with RCC, Melanoma Taking ICIs Can Safely Receive COVID-19 Vaccination

November 15th 2021

The COVID-19 vaccine was safe and well tolerated in patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors for renal cell carcinoma or melanoma.

COVID-19 Vaccination Remains Imperative for Patients with Cancer

November 4th 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, patients with cancer should receive the full vaccination with 1 of the 3 approved COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are able, according to Steven Ludlow, PharmD, BCOP, BCPS.

CT-Based Imaging Demonstrates Utility for Early COVID-19 Identification in Lung Cancer

October 29th 2021

Routine computed tomography-based imaging scans identified abnormal ground-glass opacities and infiltrates indicative of COVID-19 in patients with lung cancer undergoing radiation therapy, enabling earlier diagnosis, treatment, and risk reducing measures.

COVID-19 Vaccination Strategies Should Consider Infection Risks for CAR T-Cell Therapy Recipients

October 28th 2021

Although CAR T-cell therapies have demonstrated unprecedented activity in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies, they are marked by a significant risk of infections and may limit the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

Research Underscores the Need for Serological Testing After COVID-19 Vaccination in Multiple Myeloma

October 26th 2021

A proportion of patients with multiple myeloma receiving CD38-directed and BCMA-directed therapies had a lack of T-cell responses and an absence of anti–SARS-CoV-2 Spike antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, underscoring the need for serological testing after vaccination to identify these patients.