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Torki E, Gharezade A, Doroudchi M, Sheikhi S, Mansury D, Sullman MJM, Fouladseresht H. The kinetics of inhibitory immune checkpoints during and post-COVID-19: the knowns and unknowns. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:3299-3319. [PMID: 37697158 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01188-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is tightly regulated to prevent immune reactions to self-antigens and to avoid excessive immune responses during and after challenges from non-self-antigens. Inhibitory immune checkpoints (IICPs), as the major regulators of immune system responses, are extremely important for maintaining the homeostasis of cells and tissues. However, the high and sustained co-expression of IICPs in chronic infections, under persistent antigenic stimulations, results in reduced immune cell functioning and more severe and prolonged disease complications. Furthermore, IICPs-mediated interactions can be hijacked by pathogens in order to evade immune induction or effector mechanisms. Therefore, IICPs can be potential targets for the prognosis and treatment of chronic infectious diseases. This is especially the case with regards to the most challenging infectious disease of recent times, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), whose long-term complications can persist long after recovery. This article reviews the current knowledge about the kinetics and functioning of the IICPs during and post-COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensiye Torki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Arezou Gharezade
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shima Sheikhi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Davood Mansury
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mark J M Sullman
- Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Hamed Fouladseresht
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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Sabbatino F, Pagliano P, Sellitto C, Stefanelli B, Corbi G, Manzo V, De Bellis E, Liguori L, Salzano FA, Pepe S, Filippelli A, Conti V. Different Prognostic Role of Soluble PD-L1 in the Course of Severe and Non-Severe COVID-19. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6812. [PMID: 37959277 PMCID: PMC10649852 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the link between COVID-19 and patient immune characteristics is crucial. We previously demonstrated that high levels of the soluble Programmed Death-Ligand1 (sPD-L1) at the beginning of the infection correlated with low lymphocyte number and high C-reactive protein (CRP), longer length of stay (LOS), and death. This study investigated whether sPD-L1 can be a prognosis biomarker during COVID-19. Severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients were enrolled at the University Hospital of Salerno. During hospitalization, at admission, and after 12-14 days, patients' data were collected, and sPD-L1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peripheral lymphocyte number negatively correlated with the time of negativization (p = 0.006), length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.032), and CRP (p = 0.004), while sPD-L1 positively correlated with LOS (p = 0.015). Patients with increased sPD-L1 and lymphocyte number showed a shorter LOS than those with decreased sPD-L1 and lymphocyte number (p = 0.038) and those with increased sPD-L1 and decreased lymphocyte number (p = 0.025). Moreover, patients with increased sPD-L1 and decreased CRP had a shorter LOS than those with increased sPD-L1 and CRP (p = 0.034) and those with decreased sPD-L1 and CRP (p = 0.048). In conclusion, while at an early phase of COVID-19, sPD-L1 promotes an immune escape, later, it might act to dampen an excessive immune response, proving its role in COVID-19 prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sabbatino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Oncology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pagliano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Infectious Disease Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Carmine Sellitto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Via San Leonardo 1, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Berenice Stefanelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Graziamaria Corbi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Valentina Manzo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Via San Leonardo 1, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Emanuela De Bellis
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
| | - Luigi Liguori
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Francesco Antonio Salzano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Otolaryngology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Stefano Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Oncology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona University Hospital, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Amelia Filippelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Via San Leonardo 1, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Valeria Conti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (F.S.); (P.P.); (C.S.); (B.S.); (V.M.); (E.D.B.); (F.A.S.); (S.P.); (A.F.); (V.C.)
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona University Hospital, Via San Leonardo 1, 84131 Salerno, Italy
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Ma H, Ren S, Meng Q, Su B, Wang K, Liu Y, Wang J, Ding D, Li X. Role of Tim-3 in COVID-19: a potential biomarker and therapeutic target. Arch Virol 2023; 168:213. [PMID: 37522944 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05842-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing protein 3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint, is important for maintaining immune tolerance. There is increasing evidence that Tim-3 is aberrantly expressed in patients with COVID-19, indicating that it may play an important role in COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the altered expression and potential role of Tim-3 in COVID-19. The expression of Tim-3 and its soluble form (sTim-3) has been found to be upregulated in COVID-19 patients. The levels of Tim-3 on T cells and circulating sTim-3 have been shown to be associated with the severity of COVID-19, suggesting that this protein could be a potential biomarker of COVID-19. Moreover, this review also highlights the potential of Tim-3 as a therapeutic target of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Ma
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Shengju Ren
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qingpeng Meng
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Boyuan Su
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - YiChen Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Junpeng Wang
- Department of Urology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, 450003, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Degang Ding
- Department of Urology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, 450003, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Henan Province for Cancer Chemoprevention, Zhengzhou University, 450001, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Esophageal Cancer Prevention and Treatment, Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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Yang Y, Xu G. SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitors. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:390. [PMID: 37391394 PMCID: PMC10313683 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05922-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Cancer patients are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Different antitumor treatments have attracted wide attention in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that have revolutionized oncology changes. It may also have protective and therapeutic roles in viral infections. In this article, we collected 26 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection during ICIs therapy and 13 related to COVID-19 vaccination from Pubmed, EMBASE, and Wed of Science. Of these 26 cases, 19 (73.1%) presented mild cases and 7 (26.9%) were severe cases. Melanoma (47.4%) was a common cancer type in mild cases and lung cancer (71.4%) in severe cases (P = 0.016). The results showed that their clinical outcomes varied widely. Although there are similarities between the immune checkpoint pathway and COVID-19 immunogenicity, ICIs therapy overactivated T cells, which often leads to immune-related adverse events. In fact, the COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in patients treated with ICIs. In this review, we report the vital clinical observations of SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in cancer patients treated with ICIs and explore the potential interaction between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China
| | - Gaosi Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, PR China.
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Wu H, He P, Ren Y, Xiao S, Wang W, Liu Z, Li H, Wang Z, Zhang D, Cai J, Zhou X, Jiang D, Fei X, Zhao L, Zhang H, Liu Z, Chen R, Li W, Wang C, Zhang S, Qin J, Nashan B, Sun C. Postmortem high-dimensional immune profiling of severe COVID-19 patients reveals distinct patterns of immunosuppression and immunoactivation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:269. [PMID: 35022412 PMCID: PMC8755743 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27723-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A complete diagnostic autopsy is the gold-standard to gain insight into Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis. To delineate the in situ immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, here we perform comprehensive high-dimensional transcriptional and spatial immune profiling in 22 COVID-19 decedents from Wuhan, China. We find TIM-3-mediated and PD-1-mediated immunosuppression as a hallmark of severe COVID-19, particularly in men, with PD-1+ cells being proximal rather than distal to TIM-3+ cells. Concurrently, lymphocytes are distal, while activated myeloid cells are proximal, to SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens, consistent with prevalent SARS-CoV-2 infection of myeloid cells in multiple organs. Finally, viral load positively correlates with specific immunosuppression and dendritic cell markers. In summary, our data show that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection induces lymphocyte suppression yet myeloid activation in severe COVID-19, so these two cell types likely have distinct functions in severe COVID-19 disease progression, and should be targeted differently for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Wu
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Peiqi He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shiqi Xiao
- Department of Pathology, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zhenbang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Dingyu Zhang
- Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430015, China
| | - Jun Cai
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xiangdong Zhou
- Third Military Medical University Daping Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Dongpo Jiang
- Third Military Medical University Daping Hospital, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaochun Fei
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, 430015, China
| | - Weiqing Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Research, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210002, China
| | - Chaofu Wang
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Shuyang Zhang
- Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking, 100730, China
| | - Jiwei Qin
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Björn Nashan
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China
| | - Cheng Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230027, China.
- Transplant & Immunology Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230001, China.
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Bui ATN, Tyan K, Giobbie-Hurder A, Klein IA, Manos MP, Zubiri L, Reynolds K, Grover S, Weinhouse GL, Ott PA, LeBoeuf NR, Rahma O. Impact of COVID-19 on Patients with Cancer Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. J Immunother Precis Oncol 2021; 4:35-44. [PMID: 35663537 PMCID: PMC9153254 DOI: 10.36401/jipo-20-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction To evaluate the impact of Sars-Cov-2 infection on mortality and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) toxicity in patients with cancer receiving ICIs compared to those not receiving ICIs. Methods We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study of 25 patients receiving ICIs within 1 year of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis between March 20, 2020, and June 3, 2020, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Mass General Brigham. Cases were matched 1:1 with controls based on age, sex, and anticancer therapy within the prior 6 months. Results Seven of 25 (28%) patients receiving ICIs died from COVID-19 as compared with nine of 25 (36%) controls. Through multivariable analysis adjusting for age, sex, and anticancer therapy, ICI use was not associated with increased risk for COVID-19 death (OR [odds ratio] 0.36, 95% CI 0.07-1.87). Determinants of mortality included age (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.27) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 12.26, 95% CI 1.76-85.14). Statin use was protective against mortality (OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01-0.63). Two patients experienced persistent immune-related adverse events (irAEs) (hypophysitis); one had new-onset irAE (hypothyroidism) during their COVID-19 course. Patients with ICIs had significantly higher platelet (p = 0.017) and D-dimer (p = 0.037) levels. Elevated troponin levels (p = 0.01) were associated with COVID-19 death in patients using ICI. Conclusion There is insufficient evidence to conclude COVID-19-related outcomes are associated with ICIs, and we did not observe an increased risk of COVID-19-related death associated with ICIs. The potential protective effect of statin therapy and role of laboratory biomarkers warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anita Giobbie-Hurder
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Data Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Isaac A. Klein
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael P. Manos
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Leyre Zubiri
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kerry Reynolds
- Department of Medical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shilpa Grover
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gerald L. Weinhouse
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patrick A. Ott
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole R. LeBoeuf
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Cutaneous Oncology, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Osama Rahma
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Giorgetti A, Orazietti V, Busardò FP, Pirani F, Giorgetti R. Died with or Died of? Development and Testing of a SARS CoV-2 Significance Score to Assess the Role of COVID-19 in the Deaths of Affected Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:190. [PMID: 33525705 PMCID: PMC7912253 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11020190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019, a new form of coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread from China to the whole word, raising concerns regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) endangering public health and life. Over 1.5 million deaths related with COVID-19 have been recorded worldwide, with wide variations among countries affected by the pandemic and continuously growing numbers. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the literature cases of deaths involving COVID-19 and to evaluate the application of the COVID-19 Significance Score (CSS) in the classification of SARS CoV-2-related fatalities, comparing it with the Hamburg rating scale. The results obtained allowed us to highlight that CSS used after a complete accurate post-mortem examination, coupled to the retrieval of in vivo data, post-mortem radiology, histology and toxicology, as well as to additional required analyses (e.g., electronic microscopy) is a useful and concise tool in the assessment of the cause of death and the role played by this virus. A shared use of this scale might hopefully lower the inhomogeneities in forensic evaluation of SARS CoV-2-related fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Giorgetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 49, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Vasco Orazietti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (V.O.); (F.P.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Francesco Paolo Busardò
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (V.O.); (F.P.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Filippo Pirani
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (V.O.); (F.P.B.); (R.G.)
| | - Raffaele Giorgetti
- Department of Excellence of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, University “Politecnica delle Marche” of Ancona, Via Conca 71, 60126 Ancona, Italy; (V.O.); (F.P.B.); (R.G.)
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8
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Gambichler T, Reuther J, Scheel CH, Susok L, Kern P, Becker JC. Cancer and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment in the Era of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3383. [PMID: 33207589 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in 2011 revolutionized the management of many solid cancers and hematological malignancies. However, there are concerns regarding the use of ICI in the era of COVID-19. We present currently available information on the pros and cons of using ICI in cancer patients with respect to the risk of acquiring an infection by SARS-CoV2 and mortality from COVID-19. By means of the present paper, clinicians and researchers may update their knowledge on a highly topical clinical question—is the use of ICI in cancer patients with SARS-CoV2 infection harmful with respect to COVID-19 outcome? Abstract Whether cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are at an increased risk of severe infection and mortality during the corona pandemic is a hotly debated topic that will continue to evolve. Here, we summarize and discuss current studies regarding COVID-19 and anti-cancer treatment with an emphasis on ICI. Importantly, several lines of evidence suggest that patients currently treated with ICI do not display an increased vulnerability to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Data regarding morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 in cancer patients receiving ICI are less clear and often conflicting. Although mostly based on experimental data, it is possible that ICI can promote the exacerbated immune response associated with adverse outcome in COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, mounting evidence suggests that ICI might even be useful in the treatment of viral infections by preventing or ameliorating T cell exhaustion. In this context, the right timing of treatment might be essential. Nevertheless, some cancer patients treated with ICI experience autoimmune-related side effects that require the use of immunosuppressive therapies, which in turn may promote a severe course of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Although there is clear evidence that withholding ICI will have more serious consequences, further studies are urgently needed in to better evaluate the effects of ICI in patients with COVID-19 and the use of ICI during the corona pandemic in general.
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