Cancer Treatment Adaptations in the COVID-19 Era.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Waisberg F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7292479 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:The COVID-19 pandemic has put a serious strain on health treatments as well at the economies of many nations. Unfortunately, there is not currently available vaccine for SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19. Various types of patients have delayed treatment or even routine check-ups and we are adapting to a virtual world. In many cases, surgeries are delayed unless they are essential. This is also true with regards to cancer treatments and screening. Interestingly, some existing drugs and nutraceuticals have been screened for their effects on COVID-19. Certain FDA approved drugs, vitamin, natural products and trace minerals may be repurposed to treat or improve the prevention of COVID-19 infections and disease progression. This review article will summarize how the treatments of various cancer patients has changed during the COVID-19 era as well as discuss the promise of some existing drugs and other agents to be repurposed to treat this disease.
| S-EPMC7319627 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Screening for cancer is a proven and recommended approach to prevent deaths from cancer; screening can locate precursor lesions and/or cancer at early stages when it is potentially curable. Racial and ethnic minorities and other medically underserved populations exhibit lower uptake of cancer screening than nonminorities in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected minority communities, has curtailed preventive services including cancer screening to preserve personal protective equipment and prevent spread of infection. While there is evidence for a rebound from the pandemic-driven reduction in cancer screening nationally, the return may not be even across all populations, with minority population screening that was already behind becoming further behind as a result of the community ravages from COVID-19. Fear of contracting COVID-19, limited access to safety-net clinics, and personal factors like, financial, employment, and transportation issues are concerns that are intensified in medically underserved communities. Prolonged delays in cancer screening will increase cancer in the overall population from pre-COVID-19 trajectories, and elevate the cancer disparity in minority populations. Knowing the overall benefit of cancer screening versus the risk of acquiring COVID-19, utilizing at-home screening tests and keeping the COVID-19-induced delay in screening to a minimum might slow the growth of disparity.
| S-EPMC8212395 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Immunosuppression induced by anticancer therapy in a COVID-19-positive asymptomatic patient with cancer may have a devastating effect and, eventually, be lethal. To identify asymptomatic cases among patients receiving active cancer treatment, the Federico II University Hospital in Naples performs rapid serological tests in addition to hospital standard clinical triage for COVID-19 infection. METHODS:From 6 to 17 April 2020, all candidates for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or target/immunotherapy, if negative at the standard clinical triage on the day scheduled for anticancer treatment, received a rapid serological test on peripheral blood for COVID-19 IgM and IgG detection. In case of COVID-19 IgM and/or IgG positivity, patients underwent a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 test to confirm infection, and active cancer treatment was delayed. RESULTS:Overall 466 patients, negative for COVID-19 symptoms, underwent serological testing in addition to standard clinical triage. The average age was 61 years (range 25-88 years). Most patients (190, 40.8%) had breast cancer, and chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy was administered in 323 (69.3%) patients. Overall 433 (92.9%) patients were IgG-negative and IgM-negative, and 33 (7.1%) were IgM-positive and/or IgG-positive. Among the latter patients, 18 (3.9%), 11 (2.4%) and 4 (0.9%) were IgM-negative/IgG-positive, IgM-positive/IgG-negative and IgM-positive/IgG-positive, respectively. All 33 patients with a positive serological test, tested negative for RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 test. No patient in our cohort developed symptoms suggestive of active COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION:Rapid serological testing at hospital admission failed to detect active asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. Moreover, it entailed additional economic and human resources, delayed therapy administrationand increased hospital accesses.
| S-EPMC7507249 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the Female and Functional Urology (FFU) practice, leading to massive waiting lists, while patients' quality of life remains severely impaired. The aim of the present study is to develop consensual recommendations to guide clinicians on the management of FFU patients. The present paper focuses on female LUTS.MethodsThe authors used the Delphi methodology to develop a robust survey questionnaire, covering the principal topics in FFU, based on literature review and expert opinions. Regarding female LUTS, a 98-question survey was distributed among FFU specialists to obtain optimized recommendations, under the auspicious of the International Continence Society (TURNOVER, ICS project). A quantitative analysis of the data was performed, categorizing the mean value from 0-10. Consensus achievement was defined as attaining ≥ 70% agreement.Results98 ICS members completed the F-LUTS survey. Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of female LUTS are summarized. Video-consultation should be used for initial assessment, sending questionnaires and bladder diaries in advance to the patient to be filled out before the consultation. However, face-to-face visits are mandatory if POP or continuous incontinence are suspected, and prior to any surgical procedure, regardless of the health alert. Moreover, prescribing medications such as anticholinergics or β 3 agonists in a telemedicine setting is not considered a safe practice. Follow-up teleconsultations can be used to assess the efficacy and treatment-related adverse events.Urodynamic testing should be only performed if consequences on F-LUTS treatment are expected. The study should be postponed until the pandemic local behaviour flattens.Invasive procedures should be postponed during a high alert. In case surgery is scheduled, outpatient clinics and local anaesthesia should be prioritized. Every patient should be screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection before invasive tests or procedures, following local authorities' guidance.ConclusionsDuring a pandemic, telemedicine offers a novel way of communication, maintaining medical care while preventing viral transmission. Non-urgent procedures should be postponed until the pandemic curve flattens. Ambulatory procedures under regional or local anaesthesia should be prioritized, aiming to reduce bed occupancy and risk of transmission.
| S-EPMC9671611 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-BSST563 | biostudies-other
Project description:Currently world is fighting with global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). At this time of uncertainty, oncologists are struggling to provide appropriate care to cancer patients. They have to weigh risk and benefit of giving cancer treatment vs chances of getting them infected with COVID-19. As cancer patients are immunocompromised and there are high chances of exposure during hospital visits and if they get infected, outcome can be fatal. So through the column of this article, we would like to provide basic guideline in management of cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic.
| S-EPMC7256336 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To outline a set of recommendations on the management of pediatric cases who requiring airway surgery in the context of COVID 19 pandemic. A set of recommendations have been prepared based on National and International published scientific literature and recent updates on COVID 19. These has been implemented in our tertiary care centre. Due to the evolving nature of COVID 19 and existing knowledge gaps, these recommendations may have to be revised periodically. The incidence of COVID 19 is very low (1-5%) in the pediatric age group with relatively good prognosis. Pediatric airway surgeries should be restricted to emergency cases only. The decision of postponement of the surgical cases should be taken by the team of senior pediatric airway surgeons. Flexible laryngoscopy should be avoided. Foreign body cases should undergo a computed tomography scan to avoid diagnostic bronchoscopies. All the measures should be taken to prevent direct contact of aerosol so powered instruments should not be used unless mandatory. Protective draping method should be adopted to prevent aerosol exposure. As paediatric airway surgeries are aerosol generating procedure where the risk of contracting COVID 19 by the surgeons and support staff is very high, we suggest recommendations to prevent the contact with infected aerosol. We assure these recommendations are easy to follow and can impact good quality outcome during this pandemic crisis.
| S-EPMC7384273 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Influenza spreads globally annually with significant paediatric and adult attack rates and considerable morbidity, mortality and the exacerbation of extant chronic disease. In the northern and southern hemispheres, outbreaks occur mainly in the respective winter seasons. Influenza vaccination is available but only partially effective. In the absence of a vaccine, in winter, novel coronavirus COVID-19 will also circulate in parallel with seasonal influenza. Thus far it appears that with the current strains of these two viruses, the clinical outcome of co-infection is not significantly worse than infection with COVID-19 alone. However, several strains of influenza circulate, including strains still to come. Similarly, COVID-19 has several strains, with probably more to come. This paper discusses these issues and estimates ideal minimum influenza vaccination coverage based on an estimated influenza Basic Reproduction Number (R0) of 0.9-2.1 so as to obtain herd immunity or approach it. There is a strong argument for attempting near universal population coverage with the annual influenza vaccine leading up to next winter.
| S-EPMC7301816 | biostudies-literature
Project description:A multicenter Italian retrospective study on COVID-19 pandemic condition and advanced Gastro - Intestinal Cancer.
Are in Italy increased the new diagnosis of GI cancer in advanced stage in the 2020 compared with 2019, as a consequence of COVID-19?
| 2362155 | ecrin-mdr-crc
Project description: Not available
| S-BSST416 | biostudies-other