Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists

M. Ottaviano; M. Curvietto; P. Rescigno; M. Tortora; G. Palmieri; D. Giannarelli; M. Aieta; P. Assalone; L. Attademo; A. Avallone; F. Bloise; D. Bosso; V. Borzillo; G. Buono; G. Calderoni; F. Caputo; G. Cartenì; D. Cavallero; A. Cavo; F. Ciardiello; R. Conca; V. Conteduca; S. De Falco; M. De Felice; M. De Laurentiis; P. De Placido; S. De Placido; I. De Santo; A. De Stefano; C.M. Della Corte; R. Di Franco; V. Di Lauro; A. Fabbrocini; P. Federico; L. Festino; P. Giordano; M. Giuliano; C. Gridelli; A.M. Grimaldi; M. Lia; A.L. Marretta; V. Massa; A. Mennitto; S. Merler; V. Merz; C. Messina; M. Messina; M. Milano; A.M. Minisini; V. Montesarchio; A. Morabito; F. Morgillo; B. Mucci; L. Nappi; F. Napolitano; I. Paciolla; M. Pagliuca; S. Parola; S. Pepe; A. Petrillo; F. Piantedosi; L. Piccin; F. Picozzi; E. Pietroluongo; S. Pignata; V. Prati; V. Riccio; M. Rosanova; A. Rossi; A. Russo; M. Salati; G. Santabarbara; A. Sbrana; E. Simeone; A. Silvestri; M. Spada; P. Tarantino; P. Taveggia; F. Tomei; T. Vincenzo; D. Trapani; C. Trojanello; V. Vanella; S. Vari; J. Ventriglia; M.G. Vitale; F. Vitiello; C. Vivaldi; C. Von Arx; F. Zacchi; I. Zampiva; A. Zivi; B. Daniele; P.A. Ascierto

doi:10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists

M. Ottaviano, M. Curvietto, P. Rescigno, M. Tortora, G. Palmieri, D. Giannarelli, M. Aieta, P. Assalone, L. Attademo, A. Avallone, F. Bloise, D. Bosso, V. Borzillo, G. Buono, G. Calderoni, F. Caputo, G. Cartenì, D. Cavallero, A. Cavo, F. CiardielloR. Conca, V. Conteduca, S. De Falco, M. De Felice, M. De Laurentiis, P. De Placido, S. De Placido, I. De Santo, A. De Stefano, C.M. Della Corte, R. Di Franco, V. Di Lauro, A. Fabbrocini, P. Federico, L. Festino, P. Giordano, M. Giuliano, C. Gridelli, A.M. Grimaldi, M. Lia, A.L. Marretta, V. Massa, A. Mennitto, S. Merler, V. Merz, C. Messina, M. Messina, M. Milano, A.M. Minisini, V. Montesarchio, A. Morabito, F. Morgillo, B. Mucci, L. Nappi, F. Napolitano, I. Paciolla, M. Pagliuca, S. Parola, S. Pepe, A. Petrillo, F. Piantedosi, L. Piccin, F. Picozzi, E. Pietroluongo, S. Pignata, V. Prati, V. Riccio, M. Rosanova, A. Rossi, A. Russo, M. Salati, G. Santabarbara, A. Sbrana, E. Simeone, A. Silvestri, M. Spada, P. Tarantino, P. Taveggia, F. Tomei, T. Vincenzo, D. Trapani, C. Trojanello, V. Vanella, S. Vari, J. Ventriglia, M.G. Vitale, F. Vitiello, C. Vivaldi, C. Von Arx, F. Zacchi, I. Zampiva, A. Zivi, B. Daniele, P.A. Ascierto

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region. Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Società Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ 2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options. Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones. Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts.

Original language	Italian
Journal	Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
Volume	8
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2020-001154
Publication status	Published - 2020

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10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85093476336&doi=10.1136%2fjitc-2020-001154&partnerID=40&md5=cc0c09e22768f9549c548a252d114b54

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Ottaviano, M., Curvietto, M., Rescigno, P., Tortora, M., Palmieri, G., Giannarelli, D., Aieta, M., Assalone, P., Attademo, L., Avallone, A., Bloise, F., Bosso, D., Borzillo, V., Buono, G., Calderoni, G., Caputo, F., Cartenì, G., Cavallero, D., Cavo, A., ... Ascierto, P. A. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists. / Ottaviano, M.; Curvietto, M.; Rescigno, P.; Tortora, M.; Palmieri, G.; Giannarelli, D.; Aieta, M.; Assalone, P.; Attademo, L.; Avallone, A.; Bloise, F.; Bosso, D.; Borzillo, V.; Buono, G.; Calderoni, G.; Caputo, F.; Cartenì, G.; Cavallero, D.; Cavo, A.; Ciardiello, F.; Conca, R.; Conteduca, V.; De Falco, S.; De Felice, M.; De Laurentiis, M.; De Placido, P.; De Placido, S.; De Santo, I.; De Stefano, A.; Della Corte, C.M.; Di Franco, R.; Di Lauro, V.; Fabbrocini, A.; Federico, P.; Festino, L.; Giordano, P.; Giuliano, M.; Gridelli, C.; Grimaldi, A.M.; Lia, M.; Marretta, A.L.; Massa, V.; Mennitto, A.; Merler, S.; Merz, V.; Messina, C.; Messina, M.; Milano, M.; Minisini, A.M.; Montesarchio, V.; Morabito, A.; Morgillo, F.; Mucci, B.; Nappi, L.; Napolitano, F.; Paciolla, I.; Pagliuca, M.; Parola, S.; Pepe, S.; Petrillo, A.; Piantedosi, F.; Piccin, L.; Picozzi, F.; Pietroluongo, E.; Pignata, S.; Prati, V.; Riccio, V.; Rosanova, M.; Rossi, A.; Russo, A.; Salati, M.; Santabarbara, G.; Sbrana, A.; Simeone, E.; Silvestri, A.; Spada, M.; Tarantino, P.; Taveggia, P.; Tomei, F.; Vincenzo, T.; Trapani, D.; Trojanello, C.; Vanella, V.; Vari, S.; Ventriglia, J.; Vitale, M.G.; Vitiello, F.; Vivaldi, C.; Von Arx, C.; Zacchi, F.; Zampiva, I.; Zivi, A.; Daniele, B.; Ascierto, P.A.

In: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2020.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Ottaviano, M, Curvietto, M , Rescigno, P, Tortora, M, Palmieri, G , Giannarelli, D , Aieta, M, Assalone, P, Attademo, L , Avallone, A, Bloise, F, Bosso, D, Borzillo, V , Buono, G, Calderoni, G, Caputo, F, Cartenì, G, Cavallero, D, Cavo, A, Ciardiello, F, Conca, R , Conteduca, V, De Falco, S, De Felice, M, De Laurentiis, M, De Placido, P, De Placido, S, De Santo, I, De Stefano, A, Della Corte, CM, Di Franco, R, Di Lauro, V, Fabbrocini, A, Federico, P, Festino, L, Giordano, P, Giuliano, M, Gridelli, C, Grimaldi, AM, Lia, M, Marretta, AL, Massa, V, Mennitto, A, Merler, S, Merz, V, Messina, C, Messina, M, Milano, M, Minisini, AM, Montesarchio, V, Morabito, A, Morgillo, F, Mucci, B, Nappi, L, Napolitano, F, Paciolla, I, Pagliuca, M, Parola, S, Pepe, S, Petrillo, A, Piantedosi, F, Piccin, L, Picozzi, F, Pietroluongo, E, Pignata, S, Prati, V, Riccio, V, Rosanova, M, Rossi, A, Russo, A , Salati, M, Santabarbara, G, Sbrana, A, Simeone, E, Silvestri, A, Spada, M, Tarantino, P, Taveggia, P, Tomei, F, Vincenzo, T, Trapani, D, Trojanello, C, Vanella, V , Vari, S , Ventriglia, J , Vitale, MG, Vitiello, F, Vivaldi, C, Von Arx, C, Zacchi, F, Zampiva, I, Zivi, A, Daniele, B & Ascierto, PA 2020, 'Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists', Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, vol. 8, no. 2. https://doi.org/10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

Ottaviano, M. ; Curvietto, M. ; Rescigno, P. ; Tortora, M. ; Palmieri, G. ; Giannarelli, D. ; Aieta, M. ; Assalone, P. ; Attademo, L. ; Avallone, A. ; Bloise, F. ; Bosso, D. ; Borzillo, V. ; Buono, G. ; Calderoni, G. ; Caputo, F. ; Cartenì, G. ; Cavallero, D. ; Cavo, A. ; Ciardiello, F. ; Conca, R. ; Conteduca, V. ; De Falco, S. ; De Felice, M. ; De Laurentiis, M. ; De Placido, P. ; De Placido, S. ; De Santo, I. ; De Stefano, A. ; Della Corte, C.M. ; Di Franco, R. ; Di Lauro, V. ; Fabbrocini, A. ; Federico, P. ; Festino, L. ; Giordano, P. ; Giuliano, M. ; Gridelli, C. ; Grimaldi, A.M. ; Lia, M. ; Marretta, A.L. ; Massa, V. ; Mennitto, A. ; Merler, S. ; Merz, V. ; Messina, C. ; Messina, M. ; Milano, M. ; Minisini, A.M. ; Montesarchio, V. ; Morabito, A. ; Morgillo, F. ; Mucci, B. ; Nappi, L. ; Napolitano, F. ; Paciolla, I. ; Pagliuca, M. ; Parola, S. ; Pepe, S. ; Petrillo, A. ; Piantedosi, F. ; Piccin, L. ; Picozzi, F. ; Pietroluongo, E. ; Pignata, S. ; Prati, V. ; Riccio, V. ; Rosanova, M. ; Rossi, A. ; Russo, A. ; Salati, M. ; Santabarbara, G. ; Sbrana, A. ; Simeone, E. ; Silvestri, A. ; Spada, M. ; Tarantino, P. ; Taveggia, P. ; Tomei, F. ; Vincenzo, T. ; Trapani, D. ; Trojanello, C. ; Vanella, V. ; Vari, S. ; Ventriglia, J. ; Vitale, M.G. ; Vitiello, F. ; Vivaldi, C. ; Von Arx, C. ; Zacchi, F. ; Zampiva, I. ; Zivi, A. ; Daniele, B. ; Ascierto, P.A. / Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists. In: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. 2020 ; Vol. 8, No. 2.

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title = "Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists",

abstract = "Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region. Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Societ{\`a} Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ 2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options. Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones. Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts. ",

author = "M. Ottaviano and M. Curvietto and P. Rescigno and M. Tortora and G. Palmieri and D. Giannarelli and M. Aieta and P. Assalone and L. Attademo and A. Avallone and F. Bloise and D. Bosso and V. Borzillo and G. Buono and G. Calderoni and F. Caputo and G. Carten{\`i} and D. Cavallero and A. Cavo and F. Ciardiello and R. Conca and V. Conteduca and {De Falco}, S. and {De Felice}, M. and {De Laurentiis}, M. and {De Placido}, P. and {De Placido}, S. and {De Santo}, I. and {De Stefano}, A. and {Della Corte}, C.M. and {Di Franco}, R. and {Di Lauro}, V. and A. Fabbrocini and P. Federico and L. Festino and P. Giordano and M. Giuliano and C. Gridelli and A.M. Grimaldi and M. Lia and A.L. Marretta and V. Massa and A. Mennitto and S. Merler and V. Merz and C. Messina and M. Messina and M. Milano and A.M. Minisini and V. Montesarchio and A. Morabito and F. Morgillo and B. Mucci and L. Nappi and F. Napolitano and I. Paciolla and M. Pagliuca and S. Parola and S. Pepe and A. Petrillo and F. Piantedosi and L. Piccin and F. Picozzi and E. Pietroluongo and S. Pignata and V. Prati and V. Riccio and M. Rosanova and A. Rossi and A. Russo and M. Salati and G. Santabarbara and A. Sbrana and E. Simeone and A. Silvestri and M. Spada and P. Tarantino and P. Taveggia and F. Tomei and T. Vincenzo and D. Trapani and C. Trojanello and V. Vanella and S. Vari and J. Ventriglia and M.G. Vitale and F. Vitiello and C. Vivaldi and {Von Arx}, C. and F. Zacchi and I. Zampiva and A. Zivi and B. Daniele and P.A. Ascierto",

note = "Cited By :1 Export Date: 18 February 2021",

year = "2020",

doi = "10.1136/jitc-2020-001154",

language = "Italian",

volume = "8",

journal = "Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer",

issn = "2051-1426",

publisher = "BioMed Central",

number = "2",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on cancer immunotherapy in Italy: A survey of young oncologists

AU - Ottaviano, M.

AU - Curvietto, M.

AU - Rescigno, P.

AU - Tortora, M.

AU - Palmieri, G.

AU - Giannarelli, D.

AU - Aieta, M.

AU - Assalone, P.

AU - Attademo, L.

AU - Avallone, A.

AU - Bloise, F.

AU - Bosso, D.

AU - Borzillo, V.

AU - Buono, G.

AU - Calderoni, G.

AU - Caputo, F.

AU - Cartenì, G.

AU - Cavallero, D.

AU - Cavo, A.

AU - Ciardiello, F.

AU - Conca, R.

AU - Conteduca, V.

AU - De Falco, S.

AU - De Felice, M.

AU - De Laurentiis, M.

AU - De Placido, P.

AU - De Placido, S.

AU - De Santo, I.

AU - De Stefano, A.

AU - Della Corte, C.M.

AU - Di Franco, R.

AU - Di Lauro, V.

AU - Fabbrocini, A.

AU - Federico, P.

AU - Festino, L.

AU - Giordano, P.

AU - Giuliano, M.

AU - Gridelli, C.

AU - Grimaldi, A.M.

AU - Lia, M.

AU - Marretta, A.L.

AU - Massa, V.

AU - Mennitto, A.

AU - Merler, S.

AU - Merz, V.

AU - Messina, C.

AU - Messina, M.

AU - Milano, M.

AU - Minisini, A.M.

AU - Montesarchio, V.

AU - Morabito, A.

AU - Morgillo, F.

AU - Mucci, B.

AU - Nappi, L.

AU - Napolitano, F.

AU - Paciolla, I.

AU - Pagliuca, M.

AU - Parola, S.

AU - Pepe, S.

AU - Petrillo, A.

AU - Piantedosi, F.

AU - Piccin, L.

AU - Picozzi, F.

AU - Pietroluongo, E.

AU - Pignata, S.

AU - Prati, V.

AU - Riccio, V.

AU - Rosanova, M.

AU - Rossi, A.

AU - Russo, A.

AU - Salati, M.

AU - Santabarbara, G.

AU - Sbrana, A.

AU - Simeone, E.

AU - Silvestri, A.

AU - Spada, M.

AU - Tarantino, P.

AU - Taveggia, P.

AU - Tomei, F.

AU - Vincenzo, T.

AU - Trapani, D.

AU - Trojanello, C.

AU - Vanella, V.

AU - Vari, S.

AU - Ventriglia, J.

AU - Vitale, M.G.

AU - Vitiello, F.

AU - Vivaldi, C.

AU - Von Arx, C.

AU - Zacchi, F.

AU - Zampiva, I.

AU - Zivi, A.

AU - Daniele, B.

AU - Ascierto, P.A.

N1 - Cited By :1 Export Date: 18 February 2021

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region. Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Società Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ 2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options. Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones. Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts.

AB - Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has overwhelmed the health systems worldwide. Data regarding the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients (CPs) undergoing or candidate for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are lacking. We depicted the practice and adaptations in the management of patients with solid tumors eligible or receiving ICIs during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a special focus on Campania region. Methods This survey (25 questions), promoted by the young section of SCITO (Società Campana di ImmunoTerapia Oncologica) Group, was circulated among Italian young oncologists practicing in regions variously affected by the pandemic: high (group 1), medium (group 2) and low (group 3) prevalence of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. For Campania region, the physician responders were split into those working in cancer centers (CC), university hospitals (UH) and general hospitals (GH). Percentages of agreement, among High (H) versus Medium (M) and versus Low (L) group for Italy and among CC, UH and GH for Campania region, were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and χ 2 test for trends relative to the questions with 3 or more options. Results This is the first Italian study to investigate the COVID-19 impact on cancer immunotherapy, unique in its type and very clear in the results. The COVID-19 pandemic seemed not to affect the standard practice in the prescription and delivery of ICIs in Italy. Telemedicine was widely used. There was high consensus to interrupt immunotherapy in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients and to adopt ICIs with longer schedule interval. The majority of the responders tended not to delay the start of ICIs; there were no changes in supportive treatments, but some of the physicians opted for delaying surgeries (if part of patients' planned treatment approach). The results from responders in Campania did not differ significantly from the national ones. Conclusion Our study highlights the efforts of Italian oncologists to maintain high standards of care for CPs treated with ICIs, regardless the regional prevalence of COVID-19, suggesting the adoption of similar solutions. Research on patients treated with ICIs and experiencing COVID-19 will clarify the safety profile to continue the treatments, thus informing on the most appropriate clinical conducts.

U2 - 10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

DO - 10.1136/jitc-2020-001154

M3 - Articolo

VL - 8

JO - Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

JF - Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer

SN - 2051-1426

IS - 2

ER -