Immunochemotherapy of refractory classical Hodgkin's lymphoma with high-dose consolidation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation complicated by a new coronavirus infection

Classical Hodgkin's lymphoma is one of the most treatable lymphoproliferative diseases with current chemotherapy regimens. The 5-year overall survival rate among patients after initial chemotherapy reaches 95 %, however, despite the significant success achieved, the problem of refractoriness/relapse remains very relevant. A standard approach to the treatment of refractory/recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma among young patients with preserved general status and chemoresponsive to salvage therapy tumor is high-dose consolidation chemotherapy followed by transplantation of autologous hematopoietic stem cells. The intensification of chemotherapy regimens is highly difficult task for a doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires careful assessment of a risk-benefit ratio. In current conditions, new targeted and immune drugs are used to overcome resistance and reduce toxicity among pretreated patients, which allows not only to improve the results of a treatment, but also to preserve the high quality of life among patients with extremely unfavorable prognosis. we show our experience of using a checkpoint inhibitor in combination with a dose-intensive regimen of DHAp (dexamethasone, cytarabine, cisplatin) in the treatment of a refractory classical Hodgkin's lymphoma followed by high-dose consolidation chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation, among patients complicated with a new coronavirus infection in the post-transplant period. Copyright © 2022 ABV-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Key issues of patient safety during anticancer drug treatment in a day hospital and outpatient setting

Background. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the vector of healthcare development is aimed at minimizing contacts among citizens, which is especially important for cancer patients, given the immunosuppression caused by cytostatics. The objective of the review is to present the development prospects of hospital-substituting technologies for drug antitumor treatment. Two main components are considered that allow effective and safe infusion of anticancer drugs in a day hospital: central venous access devices and infusion pumps, various types of these devices, their safety and experience of use today are described. Materials and methods. We searched for available literature published in PubMed, Medline, eLIBRARY, Cochrane Library, CyberLeninka, Global.health, etc. 42 sources were found and analyzed, published from 2002 to 2021. Results. Outpatient anticancer drug treatment is a real alternative to hospital stay, based on many years of world experience. The qualifications level of medical personnel involved in the treatment process should allow early monitoring of various adverse events development. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure the continuity of the treatment process while minimizing risks to the patient. Conclusion. With a careful approach and adequate infrastructure availability, drug treatment in a day hospital can reduce the burden on round-the-clock stay hospital and positively affect the patients' quality of life and their compliance with treatment. © 2021 ABV-Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Vaccination against SARS-COV?2 in oncology

The objective of the study a detailed, systematic review of the world literature data, which includes all aspects of recommendations for vaccination against SARS-COV?2 in cancer patients. Materials and methods. Information search was carried out in PubMed, MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, RSCI. The work included data from literature and information sources that were published before February 2021. Results. The data of retrospective and prospective clinical studies are analyzed. This paper reflects considerations and recommendations for the vaccination of cancer patients by Russian and foreign specialists in the context of COVID?19 pandemic. The review presents current recommendations for vaccination against SARS-COV?2 in patients with solid tumors, hematological malignancies, recipients of hematopoietic stem cells and cell therapy. Conclusion. To date, groups at increased risk of infection with the new coronavirus have been identified. These groups include patients with cancer. The presence of tumor does not allow a delay in start of therapy, and requires careful monitoring and observation. In this regard, despite the pandemic, the treatment of cancer patients must be continued regardless of the circumstances. Cancer patients should not be deprived of the opportunity to be vaccinated against SARS-COV?2. Every patient should be decided individually. At the moment, there are no officially approved recommendations for vaccination against SARS-COV?2 for cancer patients. Before the creation and approval of final recommendations for cancer patients, it is necessary to focus on compliance with sanitary and anti-epidemic measures and the prevention of COVID?19 infection. The global cancer community continues to actively develop recommendations for the optimal vaccination against SARS-COV?2 in cancer patients. The most relevant ones are outlined in this article.

[Surgical management of cancer patients within the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Strategiya khirurgicheskogo lecheniya onkologicheskikh bol'nykh v usloviyakh pandemii COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review of the world literature data on surgical management and preoperative screening of cancer patients within the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and resumption of elective surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature data searching included Pubmed, MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, and RSCI databases. We enrolled literature data published for the period from March 2020 to June 2020. RESULTS: Retrospective and prospective clinical trials have been analyzed. The review ensures up-to-date data on surgical management of cancer patients under the pandemic, recommendations for resuming the elective surgery, preoperative screening and prevention of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: To date, the COVID-19 pandemic is still not resolved, and infection continues spreading around the world. Thus, there is an urgent need for more thorough research of the strategies for mitigating the effects of pandemic. To date, the recommendations for optimal surgical management of cancer patients within the pandemic are still actively developed considering the benefits of treatment and risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Resumption of elective surgery should be progressive and cautious, especially in pandemic areas. For safety reasons, all patients eligible for surgical treatment should be carefully selected according to stratification of risk factors. Thorough preoperative screening, monitoring of symptoms of infection, and use of appropriate adapted personal protective equipment are extremely important.

Remodeling the cancer service in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Federal research center of the 1st level

The article is devoted to the most relevant topic at present - the possibilities of providing full medical care to cancer patients in the context of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Cancer patients are the most vulnerable group, because they are at high risk from the position of immunosuppression, which is often combined with other risk factors for infection: old age, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Procrastination and delaying the start of antitumor therapy is unacceptable, since it inevitably leads to a deterioration of treatment results, an increase in one-year mortality and worsens the overall survival rate for malignant neoplasms. Thus, it is necessary to develop a set of measures that will allow all types of anti-cancer treatment to be carried out in parallel with anti-epidemic measures without losing the quality of treatment and preserving the safety of patients and medical personnel. Статья посвящена наиболее актуальной в настоящее время теме - возможностям оказания полноценной медицинской помощи онкологическим пациентам в условиях распространения пандемии коронавируса COVID-19. Онкологические пациенты являются наиболее уязвимым контингентом, поскольку находятся в зоне повышенного риска с позиции иммуносупрессии, которая зачастую сочетается с остальными факторами риска развития инфекции: пожилой возраст, наличие диабета и сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний. Промедление и затягивание сроков начала противоопухолевой терапии недопустимы, поскольку неизбежно ведут к ухудшению результатов лечения, повышению одногодичной летальности и ухудшают показатели общей выживаемости при злокачественных новообразованиях. Таким образом, необходимо разработать комплекс мер, которые позволят проводить все виды противоопухолевого лечения параллельно с противоэпидемическими мероприятиями без потери качества лечения и сохраняя безопасность для пациентов и медицинского персонала.

Impact of the covid-19 pandemic on the oncological practice

Detailed, systematic review of the world literature data, including all aspects that reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the oncological practice was conducted. The information sources were taken from Pubmed, MedLine, Scopus, Web of Science, and RSCI systems. The data from retrospective and prospective clinical trials have been analyzed. This review presents current data on the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients, mortality and prognosis of cancer patients infected with COVID-19, treatment options for COVID-19, as well as the case report of the cancer patient with rare atypical COVID-19 course of disease. To date, the groups of increased risk of being infected with a new coronavirus have been identified. These groups include cancer patients. Despite the pandemic, treatment of cancer patients must be continued, since the presence of a tumor process does not allow the therapy to be delayed. The world cancer community is actively continuing to develop recommendations for optimal management of cancer patients in the context of the pandemic. The most relevant of them are described in this article.