Key clinical point: Older age and imatinib therapy were associated with a higher mortality rate in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who contracted COVID-19. However, imatinib could be a confounding factor.
Major finding: Outcome was favorable and fatal in 86% and 14% of patients, respectively. COVID-19 mortality rate was higher in patients aged 75 years vs. less than 75 years (60% vs. 7%; P less than .001) and in those on imatinib vs. second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) vs. no TKIs (25% vs. 3% vs. 0%; P = .003). However, 25% vs. 0% of patients treated with imatinib vs. second-generation TKIs were more than 75 years old.
Study details: The CANDID study evaluated 110 cases of COVID-19 in patients with CML reported by physicians to the International CML Foundation until July 1, 2020 across 20 countries.
Disclosures: No study sponsor was identified. The lead author reported ties with BMS, Incyte, Novartis, and Pfizer. Some co-authors also reported ties with various pharmaceutical companies.
Source: Rea D et al. ASH 2020. 2020 Dec 7. Abstract 649.