Beyond SARS-CoV2, the role of viruses in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies

Abstract

The SARS-CoV2 pandemic reminds us how viruses challenge human health. Fortunately, unprecedented speed of developing vaccines has rapidly improved the outlook. Nevertheless, the pandemic highlights the vulnerabilities of immunocompromised patients with hematologic conditions. 1 In this issue of Seminars in Hematology, Haggenburg and colleagues review the progress made with vaccinations in this patient population. 2 Quite striking is the heterogeneity in responses across patients with different hematologic conditions and the impact of commonly used therapies. For example, while 100% of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia achieved a robust humoral response to a two dose vaccine schedule, the rate in treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was 70%, and lower in patients with CLL on treatment, and virtually absent in patients treated with anti-CD20 antibody therapy. However, a hopeful message emerging from the data is not to give up but to persist as with additional vaccine doses