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Updated: Oct 24, 2025
Immunoglobulin Gene Sequence Analysis In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: From Patient Material To Sequence Interpretation
Published on: November 26, 2018
COVID-19 and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Where We Stand Now
Thomas Chatzikonstantinou1, Yair Herishanu2, Emili Montserrat3
1From the Hematology Department and HCT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) face higher COVID-19 mortality. Management strategies focus on reducing visits and using oral therapies, but vaccine response is limited, necessitating further research for optimal care and vaccination strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacts chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patient management and outcomes.
- Studies indicate a higher mortality rate for CLL patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 compared to the general population.
- Current management emphasizes reduced hospital visits, delayed treatment, and oral therapies for CLL patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of COVID-19 on CLL patient management.
- To discuss current treatment strategies and vaccine efficacy in CLL patients.
- To identify areas for future research in managing CLL during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature and survey data (CAMPUS CLL survey).
- Analysis of retrospective studies on COVID-19 outcomes in CLL patients.
- Evaluation of available data on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine response in CLL.
Main Results:
- The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in CLL patients is approximately 3% within one year.
- BTK inhibitors show controversial but potentially beneficial results in CLL treatment during the pandemic.
- SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immune response is observed in only 40% of CLL patients, negatively affected by recent therapies, age, and hypogammaglobulinemia.
Conclusions:
- Further research is crucial for optimal management of COVID-19 in CLL patients.
- Identifying patients eligible for treatment postponement and refining CLL treatment algorithms are essential.
- Developing effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccination strategies for CLL patients requires further investigation.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has markedly impacted on the management of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and their outcome in the last year. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in patients with CLL in 1 year was approximately 3% in the recent Italian CAMPUS CLL survey; large retrospective studies have documented a higher mortality in patients with CLL hospitalized for severe COVID-19 compared with the general population. Controversial results for CLL-directed treatment have been reported, with some studies suggesting a potential benefit for BTK inhibitors. Reducing the number of hospital visits, delaying treatment whenever possible, and using oral therapy have become the mainstay of management in these patients. Available results with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines indicate an immune serological response in 40% of patients only, with a detrimental effect of recent therapy with or without anti-CD20 therapy, older age, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Further studies are needed to determine the best strategies in patients with CLL regarding (i) management of concomitant COVID-19, (ii) identification of patients in whom CLL therapy can be safely postponed, (iii) CLL treatment algorithms, and (iv) optimal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination strategies.
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