Patients affected by multiple myeloma (MM) have an increased risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and subsequent coronavirus (20)19 disease (COVID-19)-related death. The changing epidemiological and therapeutic scenarios suggest that there has been an improvement in severity and survival of COVID-19 during the different waves of the pandemic in the general population, but this has not been investigated yet in MM patients. Here we analyzed a large cohort of 1221 patients with MM and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection observed between February 2020, and August 2022, in the EPICOVIDEHA registry from 132 centers around the world. Median follow-up was 52 days for the entire cohort and 83 days for survivors. Three-hundred and three patients died (24%) and COVID-19 was the primary reason for death of around 89% of them. Overall survival (OS) was significantly higher in vaccinated patients with both stable and active MM versus unvaccinated, while only a trend favoring vaccinated patients was observed in subjects with responsive MM. Vaccinated patients with at least 2 doses showed a better OS than those with one or no vaccine dose. Overall, according to pandemic waves, mortality rate decreased over time from 34% to 10%. In multivariable analysis, age, renal failure, active disease, hospital, and intensive care unit admission, were independently associated with a higher number of deaths, while a neutrophil count above 0.5 × 109 /L was found to be protective. This data suggests that MM patients remain at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection even in the vaccination era, but their clinical outcome, in terms of OS, has progressively improved throughout the different viral phases of the pandemic.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mnohočetný myelom * terapie   MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened risks for individuals with hematological malignancies due to compromised immune systems, leading to more severe outcomes and increased mortality. While interventions like vaccines, targeted antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies have been effective for the general population, their benefits for these patients may not be as pronounced. METHODS: The EPICOVIDEHA registry (National Clinical Trials Identifier, NCT04733729) gathers COVID-19 data from hematological malignancy patients since the pandemic's start worldwide. It spans various global locations, allowing comprehensive analysis over the first three years (2020-2022). FINDINGS: The EPICOVIDEHA registry collected data from January 2020 to December 2022, involving 8767 COVID-19 cases in hematological malignancy patients from 152 centers across 41 countries, with 42% being female. Over this period, there was a significant reduction in critical infections and an overall decrease in mortality from 29% to 4%. However, hospitalization, particularly in the ICU, remained associated with higher mortality rates. Factors contributing to increased mortality included age, multiple comorbidities, active malignancy at COVID-19 onset, pulmonary symptoms, and hospitalization. On the positive side, vaccination with one to two doses or three or more doses, as well as encountering COVID-19 in 2022, were associated with improved survival. INTERPRETATION: Patients with hematological malignancies still face elevated risks, despite reductions in critical infections and overall mortality rates over time. Hospitalization, especially in ICUs, remains a significant concern. The study underscores the importance of vaccination and the timing of COVID-19 exposure in 2022 for enhanced survival in this patient group. Ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to support this vulnerable population, emphasizing the critical role of timely diagnosis and prompt treatment in preventing severe COVID-19 cases. FUNDING: Not applicable.

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Patients with previous CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have a prolonged vulnerability to viral infections. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a great impact and has previously been shown to cause high mortality in this population. Until now, real-world data on the impact of vaccination and treatment on patients with COVID-19 after CD19-directed CAR T-cell therapy are lacking. Therefore, this multicenter, retrospective study was conducted with data from the EPICOVIDEHA survey. Sixty-four patients were identified. The overall mortality caused by COVID-19 was 31%. Patients infected with the Omicron variant had a significantly lower risk of death due to COVID-19 compared with patients infected with previous variants (7% vs 58% [P = .012]). Twenty-six patients were vaccinated at the time of the COVID-19 diagnosis. Two vaccinations showed a marked but unsignificant reduction in the risk of COVID-19-caused mortality (33.3% vs 14.2% [P = .379]). In addition, the course of the disease appears milder with less frequent intensive care unit admissions (39% vs 14% [P = .054]) and a shorter duration of hospitalization (7 vs 27.5 days [P = .022]). Of the available treatment options, only monoclonal antibodies seemed to be effective at reducing mortality from 32% to 0% (P = .036). We conclude that survival rates of CAR T-cell recipients with COVID-19 improved over time and that the combination of prior vaccination and monoclonal antibody treatment significantly reduces their risk of death. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04733729.

• MeSH
• adaptorové proteiny signální transdukční MeSH
• antigeny CD19 MeSH
• COVID-19 * terapie   MeSH
• imunoterapie adoptivní MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti COVID-19 MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH

BACKGROUND: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment decreases the hospitalisation rate in immunocompetent patients with COVID-19, but data on efficacy in patients with haematological malignancy are scarce. Here, we describe the outcome of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment in a large cohort of the latter patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study from the multicentre EPICOVIDEHA registry (NCT04733729) on patients with haematological malignancy, who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and September 2022. Patients receiving nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were compared to those who did not. A logistic regression was run to determine factors associated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir administration in our sample. Mortality between treatment groups was assessed with Kaplan-Meier survival plots after matching all the patients with a propensity score. Additionally, a Cox regression was modelled to detect factors associated with mortality in patients receiving nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. FINDINGS: A total of 1859 patients were analysed, 117 (6%) were treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 1742 (94%) were treated otherwise. Of 117 patients receiving nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 80% had received ≥1 anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dose before COVID-19 onset, 13% of which received a 2nd vaccine booster. 5% were admitted to ICU. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment was associated with the presence of extrapulmonary symptoms at COVID-19 onset, for example anosmia, fever, rhinitis, or sinusitis (aOR 2.509, 95%CI 1.448-4.347) and 2nd vaccine booster (aOR 3.624, 95%CI 1.619-8.109). Chronic pulmonary disease (aOR 0.261, 95%CI 0.093-0.732) and obesity (aOR 0.105, 95%CI 0.014-0.776) were not associated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir use. After propensity score matching, day-30 mortality rate in patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was 2%, significantly lower than in patients with SARS-CoV-2 directed treatment other than nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (11%, p = 0.036). No factor was observed explaining the mortality difference in patients after nirmatrelvir/ritonavir administration. INTERPRETATION: Haematological malignancy patients were more likely to receive nirmatrelvir/ritonavir when reporting extrapulmonary symptoms or 2nd vaccine booster at COVID-19 onset, as opposed to chronic pulmonary disease and obesity. The mortality rate in patients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was lower than in patients with targeted drugs other than nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. FUNDING: EPICOVIDEHA has received funds from Optics COMMIT (COVID-19 Unmet Medical Needs and Associated Research Extension) COVID-19 RFP program by GILEAD Science, United States (Project 2020-8223).

• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

While fasciotomy is the only urgent treatment option for compartment syndrome, the resulting open wound leaves room for complications. Closure of the wound can be done by different techniques, including split-thickness skin grafts, negative pressure therapy, an absorbable barbed suture system and a cable ties system. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how a combined application of these methods can reduce their respective individual disadvantages. Our combined method was tried in two patients, one with an open tibial fracture and the other who underwent ulnar nerve reparation. Both patients started exhibiting signs of compartment syndrome within 3 hrs after surgery. Firstly, absorbable barbed suture systems were positioned with the running intradermal technique. Following this the cable ties were inserted and the limb in question was placed in an elevated position. Complete closure of the patient’s wounds was achieved within 2 weeks without complications. This result is a testament to the added benefit of a combination of these methods in comparison with the results they produce individually.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fasciotomie metody   MeSH
• kompartment syndrom * chirurgie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• šicí techniky MeSH
• sutura MeSH
• transplantace kůže MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• kazuistiky MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Quizartinib is an oral, potent, selective, type II FLT3 inhibitor with prolonged OS as a single-agent in relapsed/refractory FLT3-ITD+ AML. We report results from the global, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 QuANTUM-First trial (NCT02668653), evaluating quizartinib plus standard induction and post-remission consolidation (including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant [allo-HCT] in first complete remission [CR1]) followed by single-agent continuation (up to 3 years) vs placebo plus chemotherapy in newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD+ AML. METHODS: Patients 18-75 years with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD+ AML received induction with cytarabine 100 or 200 mg/m2/day (days 1-7) and daunorubicin 60 mg/m2/day or idarubicin 12 mg/m2/day (days 1-3). Patients were randomized to quizartinib (40 mg/day [days 8-21]) or placebo; stratified by region, age, and white blood cell count at diagnosis. Patients with CR or CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) received up to 4 cycles of high-dose cytarabine plus quizartinib (40 mg/day) or placebo and/or allo-HCT followed by continuation with quizartinib (30-60 mg/day) or placebo (up to 3 years). The primary endpoint was OS. RESULTS: Between September 2016 and August 2019, 539 patients were randomized (quizartinib [n=268], placebo [n=271]). Median age was 56 years (range, 20-75 years). As of August 2021 (median follow-up, 39.2 months), 58 patients remained on continuation. Median OS was significantly longer with quizartinib vs placebo (31.9 vs 15.1 months; HR, 0.776; 95% CI, 0.615-0.979; 2-sided P=.0324). CR+CRi rates were 71.6% and 64.9%, respectively. Allo-HCT in CR1 was performed in 157 patients (quizartinib, 31%; placebo, 27%). When censored for allo-HCT, OS trended longer with quizartinib vs placebo (HR, 0.752; 95% CI, 0.562-1.008; 2-sided P=.055). Relapse-free survival was longer with quizartinib vs placebo (HR, 0.733; 95% CI, 0.554-0.969). Grade ≥3 adverse events (AEs) were similar across arms. Discontinuations due to AEs occurred in 20.4% (quizartinib) and 8.6% (placebo). Fifty-six patients died from treatment-emergent AEs (quizartinib, 11.3%; placebo, 9.7%); mostly infections. Grade 3/4 electrocardiographic QT prolongation occurred in 3.0% (quizartinib) and 1.1% (placebo). CONCLUSIONS: Quizartinib plus standard therapy, followed by continuation, including after allo-HCT, for up to 3 years was tolerable with statistically significant and clinically meaningful OS improvements in adults ≤75 years with newly diagnosed FLT3-ITD+ AML.

• MeSH
• akutní myeloidní leukemie * farmakoterapie   genetika   MeSH
• benzothiazoly MeSH
• chemoterapie konsolidační MeSH
• cytarabin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• daunomycin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenylmočovinové sloučeniny MeSH
• idarubicin terapeutické užití   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * metody   MeSH
• tyrosinkinasa 3 podobná fms genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky, fáze III MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH

Limited data are available on breakthrough COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) after anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. Adult patients with HM, ≥1 dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and breakthrough COVID-19 between January 2021 and March 2022 were analyzed. A total of 1548 cases were included, mainly lymphoid malignancies (1181 cases, 76%). After viral sequencing in 753 cases (49%), the Omicron variant was prevalent (517, 68.7%). Most of the patients received ≤2 vaccine doses before COVID-19 (1419, 91%), mostly mRNA-based (1377, 89%). Overall, 906 patients (59%) received COVID-19-specific treatment. After 30-day follow-up from COVID-19 diagnosis, 143 patients (9%) died. The mortality rate in patients with the Omicron variant was 7.9%, comparable to other variants, with a significantly lower 30-day mortality rate than in the prevaccine era (31%). In the univariable analysis, older age (P < .001), active HM (P < .001), and severe and critical COVID-19 (P = .007 and P < .001, respectively) were associated with mortality. Conversely, patients receiving monoclonal antibodies, even for severe or critical COVID-19, had a lower mortality rate (P < .001). In the multivariable model, older age, active disease, critical COVID-19, and 2-3 comorbidities were correlated with a higher mortality, whereas monoclonal antibody administration, alone (P < .001) or combined with antivirals (P = .009), was protective. Although mortality is significantly lower than in the prevaccination era, breakthrough COVID-19 in HM is still associated with considerable mortality. Death rate was lower in patients who received monoclonal antibodies, alone or in combination with antivirals.

• MeSH
• antivirové látky MeSH
• COVID-19 * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hematologické nádory * komplikace   terapie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• monoklonální protilátky MeSH
• protilátky virové MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• testování na COVID-19 MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• MeSH
• chimerické antigenní receptory * MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• imunoterapie adoptivní MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• T-lymfocyty MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

BACKGROUND: Patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are at high risk of mortality from SARS-CoV-2 disease 2019 (COVID-19). A better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in these patients. We therefore studied baseline characteristics of HM patients developing COVID-19 and analyzed predictors of mortality. METHODS: The survey was supported by the Scientific Working Group Infection in Hematology of the European Hematology Association (EHA). Eligible for the analysis were adult patients with HM and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 observed between March and December 2020. RESULTS: The study sample includes 3801 cases, represented by lymphoproliferative (mainly non-Hodgkin lymphoma n = 1084, myeloma n = 684 and chronic lymphoid leukemia n = 474) and myeloproliferative malignancies (mainly acute myeloid leukemia n = 497 and myelodysplastic syndromes n = 279). Severe/critical COVID-19 was observed in 63.8% of patients (n = 2425). Overall, 2778 (73.1%) of the patients were hospitalized, 689 (18.1%) of whom were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Overall, 1185 patients (31.2%) died. The primary cause of death was COVID-19 in 688 patients (58.1%), HM in 173 patients (14.6%), and a combination of both COVID-19 and progressing HM in 155 patients (13.1%). Highest mortality was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (199/497, 40%) and myelodysplastic syndromes (118/279, 42.3%). The mortality rate significantly decreased between the first COVID-19 wave (March-May 2020) and the second wave (October-December 2020) (581/1427, 40.7% vs. 439/1773, 24.8%, p value < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, age, active malignancy, chronic cardiac disease, liver disease, renal impairment, smoking history, and ICU stay correlated with mortality. Acute myeloid leukemia was a higher mortality risk than lymphoproliferative diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirms that COVID-19 patients with HM are at high risk of lethal complications. However, improved COVID-19 prevention has reduced mortality despite an increase in the number of reported cases.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 komplikace   diagnóza   epidemiologie   terapie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hematologické nádory komplikace   epidemiologie   terapie   MeSH
• hospitalizace MeSH
• jednotky intenzivní péče MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• registrace MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Background: The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis. Psychological distress is at the high level due to fear of infections, death, isolation, deep uncertainty about the future, wellbeing and national economics.Objective: The aim of this paper is to analyse resources, human and technological for installation of tele-health as a first step to minimize mental health consequences of the pandemic. Methods: In this paper we describe how experts from the Medical Informatics at two universities (in Sarajevo and Zagreb), worked on adapting psychological tele-counselling and its application during the COVID-19 and make healthcare system faster and safer and better responding to the chalanges. Results and Discussion: More than 90% professionals included in the research use Viber or WhatsApp are using those applications in private relations, but only 15% of them for official communication healthcare related. Less than 10% mental-health and social care institutions have proper ICT user support or monitoring tolls and methodology in place. Research discovered that 85% of professionals in the institutions involved consider continuous training as a must for delivering proper tele-care. Conclusion: Providing psychological first aid is an essential care component for populations that have been victims of emergencies and disasters, before, during and after the event.

• MeSH
• COVID-19 MeSH