COVID‐19 post hematopoietic cell transplant, a report of 11 cases from a single center.

In late 2019 the coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) started in Wuhan, China. Cancer patients are immunosuppressed from their disease and the therapy they receive.Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients are a subgroup of patients that are severely immunocompromised and may be at an even higher risk of a complicated course during this infection.We herein report the outcomes and course of 11 sequential cases of HCT recipients infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 treated in our center.The patients age ranged from 17 to 60 years, the duration from transplant to infection ranged from day +5 to 192 months, 6 patients were post allo-HCT, 4 post auto-HCT and one had both allo and auto-HCT. The presenting symptoms were not different from other viral illnesses. The majority had mild COVID-19 stage, while 3 had moderate stage on presentation. None of the patients required oxygen supplementation nor mechanical ventilation.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of A single center, open-label trial of isavuconazole prophylaxis against invasive fungal infection in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT).

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.737422328.793571687 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Livio Pagano

Keyword(s):

Fungal Infection ◽

Invasive Fungal Infection ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Single Center ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplant ◽

Open Label ◽

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant ◽

Open Label Trial

Download Full-text

Drug-Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infections in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Retrospective Study

Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation ◽

10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.12.366 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. S188-S189

Author(s):

Firas El Chaer ◽

Amrita Prayag ◽

Lynn El Haddad ◽

Victor E. Mulanovich ◽

Dimpy P. Shah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Transplant Recipients ◽

Single Center ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplant ◽

Cytomegalovirus Infections

Download Full-text

Electronic monitoring of adherence to multiple medications in cancer patients: Promise and challenges (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23544 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gertraud Stadler ◽

Yaena Song ◽

Stephanie Chen ◽

Eileen Scigliano ◽

William Redd

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Hematopoietic Cell ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Medication Regimen ◽

Hematopoietic Cell Transplant ◽

Multiple Medication ◽

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant ◽

Wide Range ◽

Tracking Device ◽

Complex Medication Regimen

BACKGROUND An electronic pillbox can serve as a tracking device for adherence to a complex medication regimen. Blood cancer patients receiving an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT), typically prescribed with multiple pills, can benefit from it. Their medication adherence plays a critical role in post-transplant survival, as it can help limit severe side effects and toxic drug interactions. However, existing studies report a wide range of adherence rates. OBJECTIVE Adherence to multiple medications is an important issue for patients with chronic conditions such as cancer but it remains understudied. An electronic pillbox can serve as tracking device for adherence to a complex medication regimen. The current mixed methods study in cancer patients who had received an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (alloHCT) had three aims: (1) to test the feasibility of using an electronic pillbox for tracking a multiple-medication regimen in the first 180 days at home, (2) to describe sensor use and adherence levels, and (3) to capture patient experiences using the electronic pillbox. METHODS Cancer patients after alloHCT (n = 33) received an electronic pillbox at first discharge from hospital and were followed for 180 days. Data to calculate adherence was available for 27 individuals, and 28 patients participated in interviews about their experiences using the electronic pillbox. RESULTS Most patients used their pillbox immediately after discharge and continued using it beyond 180 days, with large variability in signal transmission rates. The average adherence score was 2.2, significantly lower than the prescribed at least four medication doses each day (P<.001) and indicating 55% adherence. In the interviews, patients reported ease of use and benefits of the electronic pillbox, but also challenges, such as the large size and limited battery life of the pillbox. CONCLUSIONS It is feasible to use an electronic pillbox for cancer patients taking multiple medications, although there is room for improvement in the pillbox design. Overall, patients had a positive experience using the electronic pillbox. A user-friendly device would have great potential for a multi-faceted, real-time intervention to facilitate adherence to multiple medication regimens.

Download Full-text