Basic information
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Information from WHO
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a chronic disease of the blood and bone marrow that results from a transformation of a stem cell. About 15% of leukemias in adults are CML. Source: cancer.net
World Health Organization Recommendations
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Maintain social distancing
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Practice respiratory hygiene
- If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
- Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
To know more:
European Society for Medical Oncology
“Cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO guide for patients” Updated: April 8, 2020
This guide contains information on COVID-19, its symptoms and measures you can take to lower your risk of becoming infected. It also provides information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of patients’ cancer care.
To read the full “Cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ESMO guide for patients”, visit https://www.esmo.org/for-patients/patient-guides/cancer-care-during-the-covid-19-pandemic
European Society for Bone Marrow Transplantation (EBMT)
Coronavirus disease COVID-19: EBMT resources.
In the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the EBMT has set up a section on its website to provide you with an array of useful information and resources.
Visit the EBMT COVID-19/Bone Marrow Transplantation section
Specific recommendations for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and COVID-19
European Hematology Association
The European Hematology Association showcases this reliable information provided by Dr. Delphine Rea, Saint-Louis University Hospital, Paris, France and Prof Rudiger Hehlmann on behalf of ELN/EHA-SWG for CML on the following topics:
- What to do in newly diagnosed CML?
- What to do in TKI-treated CML patients?
- What to do in CML patients in TFR?
- What to do in case of CML and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 disease?
To better know these recommendations please visit Visit the EHA website
American Society of Hematology (ASH)
Input from Drs. Michael Mauro, Brian Druker, Jerald Radich, Jorge Cortes, Tim H. Brümmendorf, Guiseppe Saglio, Timothy Hughes, and Delphine Rea
Date updated: April 27, 2020
Answers to the following quesitons:
- Should therapy be changed for CML patients already on treatment?
- How are you treating accelerated phase and blast crisis CML?
- How should patients be monitored? Any modifications reasonable?
- In patients who have developed the SARS-CoV-2 infection, should their CML therapy be adjusted or stopped?
- Is there any interaction between CML treatments and therapies being tried for SARS-CoV-2?
Read ASH FAQ regarding COVID-19 and CML
International CML Foundation (iCMLf) Directors recommendation:
The International CML Foundation (iCMLf) Directors includes and additional topic on monitoring procedures for CML patients under long-term therapy:
All TKI have the capacity to prolong the QTc interval and strongly interact with drugs such as chloroquine and azithromycin, 2 drugs that are currently evaluated against COVID-19. Combining these medications with TKI in the absence of medical prescription and supervision may lead to fatal torsade de pointe.