Antiviral combination treatment strategies for SARS-CoV-2 infection in immunocompromised patients.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to report the available evidence regarding the use of combination regimens of antivirals and/or antibody-based therapy in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised patients.

Recent findings: Literature search identified 24 articles, excluding single case reports, which included mainly patients with hematological malignancies and/or B-cell depletion. Data were divided based on the timing and reason for administration of combination treatment, that is, early treatment to prevent progression to severe COVID-19 and treatment of prolonged or relapsed infection. We described the treated populations, treatment duration and composition of combination treatment. We briefly addressed new treatment options and we proposed an algorithm for the management of COVID-19 infection in patients affected by hematological malignancies.

Summary: Combination treatment seems an effective (73-100%) and well tolerated (<5% reported bradycardia, hepatotoxicity, neutropenia) strategy for treating prolonged/relapsed SARS-CoV-2 infections in the immunocompromised host, although its optimal composition and duration cannot be defined based on the currently available evidence. The role of combination treatment as an early treatment strategy for immunocompromised patients at a high risk of progression to severe disease/persistent shedding requires further evidence from comparison with monotherapy, even though high efficacy was reported for combinations of antivirals plus mAbs in case of previous viral variants.