Dr. Ip on the Utility of Investigational Treatments for COVID-19 in Oncology

Andrew Ip, MD, MS, a hematologist/oncologist, John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack Meridian Health, discusses the utility of investigational treatments for COVID-19 in patients with cancer.

Patients with COVID-19 and cancer may benefit from a combination of monoclonal antibodies that target the spike protein rather than a single-agent inhibitor, says Ip. However, data are lacking, and additional research is needed, Ip explains.

Other investigational agents that have demonstrated efficacy in treating patients with COVID-19, such as remdesivir (Veklury), have the potential to be given as outpatient treatment in inhaled or subcutaneous formulations, says Ip.

Additionally, increased dosing regimens with steroids, such as dexamethasone, could be beneficial in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma who often develop pneumonitis or bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia from COVID-19, says Ip.

Finally, convalescent plasma could improve outcomes for patients who received prior rituximab (Rituxan); however, more data are needed, concludes Ip.