Would you hold rituximab for newly diagnosed B-cell lymphoma if the patient is COVID-19 positive?

The question of how best to manage ongoing lymphoma therapy in the face of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unanswered. That said, centers are developing guidance for clinicians based upon available and emerging data.

Newer data from MSKCC suggest that recent treatment (within the last 30 days) is not associated with worse outcomes. Lymphoma patients, particularly those with hypogammaglobulinemia, may be at greater risk for poor outcomes, and should be prioritized for clinical trials, such as those evaluating convalescent plasma.

For patients receiving treatment for lymphoma that is needed (associated with survival benefit, treating symptomatic disease, or otherwise felt likely to improve meaningful outcomes for the patient) who develop COVID-1...