Author
Anargyros Kapetanakis
Bio: Anargyros Kapetanakis is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Case fatality rate & Intensive care unit. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.
Topics: Case fatality rate, Intensive care unit, Lower risk
Papers
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Vita-Salute San Raffaele University1, University of Ioannina2, Hull York Medical School3, University of Bern4, University of Belgrade5, Uppsala University Hospital6, Science for Life Laboratory7, University of Eastern Piedmont8, University of Rome Tor Vergata9, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens10, Belfast City Hospital11, Masaryk University12, Athens Regional Medical Center13, University of Cologne14, Mansoura University15, University of Milan16, Odense University Hospital17, Copenhagen University Hospital18, Tel Aviv University19, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center20, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich21, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic22, Rabin Medical Center23, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven24, Wrocław Medical University25, University of Amsterdam26, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research27, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart28, Albert Schweitzer Hospital29, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia30, Sapienza University of Rome31, University of Novi Sad32, Medical University of Lublin33, St. John's University34, University of Verona35, Anna University36, Shaare Zedek Medical Center37, Charles University in Prague38, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague39, University of Perugia40, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy41, University of Padua42, Maastricht University43, University of Turin44, Qatar Airways45
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and found that patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to the disease due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression.
Abstract: Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) may be more susceptible to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to age, disease, and treatment-related immunosuppression. We aimed to assess risk factors of outcome and elucidate the impact of CLL-directed treatments on the course of COVID-19. We conducted a retrospective, international study, collectively including 941 patients with CLL and confirmed COVID-19. Data from the beginning of the pandemic until March 16, 2021, were collected from 91 centers. The risk factors of case fatality rate (CFR), disease severity, and overall survival (OS) were investigated. OS analysis was restricted to patients with severe COVID-19 (definition: hospitalization with need of oxygen or admission into an intensive care unit). CFR in patients with severe COVID-19 was 38.4%. OS was inferior for patients in all treatment categories compared to untreated (p < 0.001). Untreated patients had a lower risk of death (HR = 0.54, 95% CI:0.41-0.72). The risk of death was higher for older patients and those suffering from cardiac failure (HR = 1.03, 95% CI:1.02-1.04; HR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.04-3.07, respectively). Age, CLL-directed treatment, and cardiac failure were significant risk factors of OS. Untreated patients had a better chance of survival than those on treatment or recently treated.
46 citations
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TL;DR: In this article , the authors reported a continued growth in CAR-T cellular therapies to 1874 (+65%) patients in 2020 and the use of haploidentical donors increased while use of unrelated and sibling donors decreased.
Abstract: In 2020, 45,364 HCT in 41,016 patients, 18,796 (41%) allogeneic and 26,568 (59%) autologous in 690 centers were reported. Changes observed were as follows: total number of HCT -6.5%, allogeneic HCT -5.1%, autologous HCT -7.5%, and were more pronounced in non-malignant disorders for allogeneic HCT and in autoimmune disease for autologous HCT. Main indications were myeloid malignancies 10,441 (25%), lymphoid malignancies 26,120 (64%) and non-malignant disorders 2532 (6%). A continued growth in CAR-T cellular therapies to 1874 (+65%) patients in 2020 was observed. In allogeneic HCT, the use of haploidentical donors increased while use of unrelated and sibling donors decreased. Cord blood HCT increased by 11.7% for the first time since 2012. There was a significant increase in the use of non-myeloablative but a drop in myeloablative conditioning and in use of marrow as stem cell source. We interpreted these changes as being due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic starting early in 2020 in Europe and provided additional data reflecting the varying impact of the pandemic across selected countries and larger cities. The transplant community confronted with the pandemic challenge, continued in providing patients access to treatment. This annual report of the EBMT reflects current activities useful for health care planning.
37 citations
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TL;DR: Patients with CLL with close hospital contactss and in particular those above 70 years of age with one or more comorbidities should be considered for closer monitoring and pre-emptive antiviral therapy upon a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.
32 citations
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TL;DR: Overall mortality rate dropped from 41% during the first semester of 2020 to 25% at the last semester of 2021, but results show increased severity and mortality from COVID-19 in LPDs patients treated with targeted drugs.
Abstract: Patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we describe and analyze the outcome of 366 adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) treated with targeted drugs and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosed between February 2020 and January 2022. Median follow-up was 70.5 days (IQR 0-609). Most used targeted drugs were Bruton-kinase inhibitors (BKIs) (N= 201, 55%), anti-CD20 other than rituximab (N=61, 16%), BCL2 inhibitors (N=33, 9%) and lenalidomide (N=28, 8%).Only 16.2% of the patients were vaccinated with 2 or more doses of vaccine at the onset of COVID-19. Mortality was 24% (89/366) on day 30 and 36%(134/366) on the last day of follow-up. Age >75 years (p<0.001, HR 1.036), active malignancy (p<0.001, HR 2.215), severe COVID-19 (p=0.017, HR 2.270) and admission to ICU (p<0.001, HR 5.751) were risk factors for mortality at last day of follow up. There was no difference in OS rates in NHL vs CLL patients (p=0.306), nor in patients treated with or without BKIs (p=0.151). Mortality in ICU was 66% (CLL 61%, NHL 76%). Overall mortality rate decreased according to vaccination status, being 39% in unvaccinated patients, 32% and 26% in those having received one or two doses, respectively, and 20% in patients with a booster dose (p=0.245). Overall mortality rate dropped from 41% during the first semester of 2020 to 25% at the last semester of 2021. These results show increased severity and mortality from COVID-19 in LPDs patients treated with targeted drugs.
16 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight several characteristics of γδ T cells and their interactions in leukemia and explore strategies for maximizing their antitumor functions, aiming to illustrate the findings destined for a better mobilization of these lymphocytes against the tumor.
Abstract: Recently, many discoveries have elucidated the cellular and molecular diversity in the leukemic microenvironment and improved our knowledge regarding their complex nature. This has allowed the development of new therapeutic strategies against leukemia. Advances in biotechnology and the current understanding of T cell-engineering have led to new approaches in this fight, thus improving cell-mediated immune response against cancer. However, most of the investigations focus only on conventional cytotoxic cells, while ignoring the potential of unconventional T cells that until now have been little studied. γδ T cells are a unique lymphocyte subpopulation that has an extensive repertoire of tumor sensing and may have new immunotherapeutic applications in a wide range of tumors. The ability to respond regardless of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression, the secretion of antitumor mediators and high functional plasticity are hallmarks of γδ T cells, and are ones that make them a promising alternative in the field of cell therapy. Despite this situation, in particular cases, the leukemic microenvironment can adopt strategies to circumvent the antitumor response of these lymphocytes, causing their exhaustion or polarization to a tumor-promoting phenotype. Intervening in this crosstalk can improve their capabilities and clinical applications and can make them key components in new therapeutic antileukemic approaches. In this review, we highlight several characteristics of γδ T cells and their interactions in leukemia. Furthermore, we explore strategies for maximizing their antitumor functions, aiming to illustrate the findings destined for a better mobilization of γδ T cells against the tumor. Finally, we outline our perspectives on their therapeutic applicability and indicate outstanding issues for future basic and clinical leukemia research, in the hope of contributing to the advancement of studies on γδ T cells in cancer immunotherapy.
11 citations
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TL;DR: Christensen et al. as discussed by the authors reported the clinical outcome of 131 hematologic patients with lymphoproliferative diseases, infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron surge in Israel, between January and March 2022.
9 citations