Cancer patients and targeted therapy during COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive case series study.

To evaluate the effectiveness of targeted therapy on preventing or treating COVID-19, in this study, we want to share our experience about 14 patients (nine women, five men; average age, 59 years) who were treated with targeted therapy due to their underlying malignant disorders in our center.

Red cell distribution width, a predictive factor in immunocompromised patients with COVID-19: A comparison retrospective study between cancer and kidney transplant patients.

We aimed to review the records of cancer and kidney transplant patients of out of 1135 COVID-19 patients, who were referred to our hospital (Valiasr) in Zanjan, from March 16th, 2020, to June 11th, 2020. This was single-center, historical cohort study. Patients were divided into different subgroups and compared of disease outcomes. The only predictor of death was lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The rate of red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients with active cancer was higher than kidney transplant patients and was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between active and non-active cancer groups. Female sex and low SpO2 has increased the chances of ICU admission. Patients with active cancer generally have severe and more complicated disease and RDW can be a predictable option.

Dermatomyositis following Biosimilar Trastuzumab in a Breast Cancer Patient: A Case Report.

Trastuzumab, as a recombinant IgG1 kappa, is a humanized monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Accordingly, it is widely used in breast cancers at early and advanced stages. Dermatomyositis is a rare adverse event of trastuzumab therapy, which is not well documented yet. In this study, a patient was treated for invasive ductal carcinoma with some symptoms of rash and generalized fatigue. These symptoms started after the fifth cycle of trastuzumab, which were gradually deteriorating. This patient's medical and family histories were unremarkable. The progression of the disease was ruled out as a possible cause of dermatomyositis, and the laboratory evaluation revealed a moderate increase in serum muscle protein (CPK). So, trastuzumab treatment was discontinued, and by passing 1 month from the start of prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine, the patient had no symptoms.

Clinical patterns of endothelial damage and thrombotic events in two patients with COVID-19: A case report.

Endotheliopathy causes COVID-19 conflicting complications.

Correlation between CSF biomarkers and COVID-19 meningoencephalitis: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have focused on the incidence rate and pattern of meningoencephalitis in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). AIM: This study aims to shed more light on the CSF pattern and clinical characteristics of meningoencephalitis COVID-19 patients in Zanjan, Iran. METHODS: Nine cases of laboratory and imaging confirmed COVID-19 were admitted to Valiasr Hospitals in Zanjan, Iran. Data were collected from May 20, 2020 to June 20, 2020. RESULTS: All the nine patients had positive RT-PCR COVID-19 and Pulmonary involvement who underwent Lumbar puncture and analysis, but despite neurological symptoms, the RT-PCR of CSF for COVID-19 was negative. CONCLUSION: Although we did not have any cases of positive RT-PCR for COVID-19 in lumbar puncture specimens, the justification of neurological symptoms in patients can be the transient presence of the virus in the CSF, and inflammation or autoimmune response caused by the virus, so more studies are needed to determine the cause of neurogenic symptoms.

Incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism following hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019: Prospective results from a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Thrombosis and pulmonary embolism appear to be major causes of mortality in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, few studies have focused on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after hospitalization for COVID-19. METHODS: In this multi-center study, we followed 1529 COVID-19 patients for at least 45 days after hospital discharge, who underwent routine telephone follow-up. In case of signs or symptoms of pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), they were invited for an in-hospital visit with a pulmonologist. The primary outcome was symptomatic VTE within 45 days of hospital discharge. RESULTS: Of 1529 COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital, a total of 228 (14.9%) reported potential signs or symptoms of PE or DVT and were seen for an in-hospital visit. Of these, 13 and 12 received Doppler ultrasounds or pulmonary CT angiography, respectively, of whom only one patient was diagnosed with symptomatic PE. Of 51 (3.3%) patients who died after discharge, two deaths were attributed to VTE corresponding to a 45-day cumulative rate of symptomatic VTE of 0.2% (95%CI 0.1%-0.6%; n = 3). There was no evidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in these patients. Other deaths after hospital discharge included myocardial infarction (n = 13), heart failure (n = 9), and stroke (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe a high rate of symptomatic VTE in COVID-19 patients after hospital discharge. Routine extended thromboprophylaxis after hospitalization for COVID-19 may not have a net clinical benefit. Randomized trials may be warranted.