ABSTRACT
Background. The novel Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a global threat. Cancer patients constitute a group that is at high risk of COVID-19 infection with a more severe disease course and higher mortality rate. Case description. We report a case of COVID-19 occurring concurrently with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in a young male patient. After verification of the morphological and immunophenotypic profiles of leukemia, the patient received ALL treatment (ALL-2009 protocol) with concurrent administration of antiviral and antibacterial drugs, as well as immunoglobin replacement therapy. Neutropenia caused by cytostatic treatment led to the progression of lung damage and respiratory failure, which required the withdrawal of cytostatic drugs. The patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Department, where dexamethasone therapy as well as antibacterial and antifungal therapy was continued. Since the lung damage reached 75 % and respiratory failure began to increase, non-invasive ventilation of the lungs was started. Clinical and hematological remission with hematologic recovery and subsequent pneumonia regression was achieved. However, long-term persistence of the virus was observed, and therefore the strategy for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia was revised. Maintenance therapy with mercaptopurine and methotrexate was administered. After elimination of the virus on the 56th day from the initial positive test, therapy according to the ALL-2009 protocol was continued. Conclusion. The tactics of treating cancer patients with hemoblastosis during a pandemic should be selected individually with an assessment of the potential benefits and risk of life-threatening complications.