Managing hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO-EHA Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus

Buske, C.; Dreyling, M.; Alvarez-Larran, A.; Apperley, J.; Arcaini, L.; Besson, C.; Bullinger, L.; Corradini, P.; Giovanni Della Porta, M.; Dimopoulos, M.; D'Sa, S.; Eich, H. T.; Foa, R.; Ghia, P.; da Silva, M. G.; Gribben, J.; Hajek, R.; Harrison, C.; Heuser, M.; Kiesewetter, B.; Kiladjian, J. J.; Kroger, N.; Moreau, P.; Passweg, J. R.; Peyvandi, F.; Rea, D.; Ribera, J. -M.; Robak, T.; San-Miguel, J. F.; Santini, V.; Sanz, G.; Sonneveld, P.; von Lilienfeld-Toal, M.; Wendtner, C.; Pentheroudakis, G.; Passamonti, F.

doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100403

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous challenges for the clinical management of patients with hematological malignancies (HMs), raising questions about the optimal care of this patient group. Methods: This consensus manuscript aims at discussing clinical evidence and providing expert advice on statements related to the management of HMs in the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, an international consortium was established including a steering committee, which prepared six working packages addressing significant clinical questions from the COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and mitigation strategies to specific HMs management in the pandemic. During a virtual consensus meeting, including global experts and lead by the European Society for Medical Oncology and the European Hematology Association, statements were discussed and voted upon. When a consensus could not be reached, the panel revised statements to develop consensual clinical guidance. Results and conclusion: The expert panel agreed on 33 statements, reflecting a consensus, which will guide clinical decision making for patients with hematological neoplasms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Managing hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO-EHA Interdisciplinary Expert Consensus / Buske C.; Dreyling M.; Alvarez-Larran A.; Apperley J.; Arcaini L.; Besson C.; Bullinger L.; Corradini P.; Giovanni Della Porta M.; Dimopoulos M.; D'Sa S.; Eich H.T.; Foa R.; Ghia P.; da Silva M.G.; Gribben J.; Hajek R.; Harrison C.; Heuser M.; Kiesewetter B.; Kiladjian J.J.; Kroger N.; Moreau P.; Passweg J.R.; Peyvandi F.; Rea D.; Ribera J.-M.; Robak T.; San-Miguel J.F.; Santini V.; Sanz G.; Sonneveld P.; von Lilienfeld-Toal M.; Wendtner C.; Pentheroudakis G.; Passamonti F.. - In: ESMO OPEN. - ISSN 2059-7029. - ELETTRONICO. - 7:(2022), pp. 100403-100407. [10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100403]