Sequential Treatment by Antiviral Drugs Followed by Immunosuppressive Agents for COVID-19 Patients with Hematological Malignancy

BACKGROUND: The detailed treatment regimen of COVID-19 patients with hematological malignancies has been unclear, and some fatalities have occurred, although combination therapy with antiviral agents and corticosteroids has been established for moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. CASE SERIES: Case 1 was a 57-year-old woman who had malignant lymphoma and received CHOP therapy with obinutuzumab, and case 2 was a 70-year-old-man who had myeloma and received molecular targeted therapy with weekly corticosteroid. In both cases, SARS-CoV-2 genes and antigens were detected from their nasal swabs, and treatment was started for moderate to severe COVID-19. Case 1 received antiviral agents with high doses of corticosteroids for a long term simultaneously, but the high titer of viral antigens in her nasal swabs persisted. Ground-glass opacities and interstitial shadows also worsened in both lungs, and she finally died on day 60. In contrast, in case 2, antiviral agents were started first, and restarted the immunosuppressive agents, such as gamma globulin and corticosteroids after no titer of SARS-CoV-2 antigens was confirmed. The patient survived, and his abnormal chest shadows showed gradual improvement. Both of the patients received two vaccinations, but showed the low antibody titers for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: Administration of both antiviral agents and corticosteroids has been recommended for moderate to severe COVID-19 patients, but in patients with hematological malignancies, it might be better to use antiviral agents first to reduce the viral titers, and then add steroid and related immunosuppressive agents later appropriately to inhibit the excessive inflammatory state. The dose, timing, and order of the antivirals and immunosuppressive agents for COVID-19 should be considered carefully in the patients with hematological malignancies who showed low vaccine effectiveness.