We report 8 cases of persistent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia in patients previously treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 was negative in most cases; viral cell cultures confirmed that viable SARS-Co-2 virus was present. Four patients were treated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 hyperimmune globulins with rapid resolution of disease.

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are recommended for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) evaluation. However, their prognostic value in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy remains unclear. We assessed the predictive significance of PFTs and pulmonary comorbidity classifications, per the Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation–Comorbidity Index (HCT-CI), in patients with B-cell lymphoma undergoing autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy. Single-center retrospective analysis encompassing 192 patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma (BCL), treated with commercial and point-of-care CD19-directed CAR-T therapy. Pretherapy PFTs were conducted, and patients were stratified into 3 HCT-CI–based pulmonary comorbidity grades, using forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Outcomes and toxicities were evaluated using univariate and multivariable Cox regression, logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier method, and spline models. Pulmonary comorbidity measures were not correlated with overall response rates or immune toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome grade >2 and immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity grade >2. Categorical FEV1, DLCO, and pulmonary comorbidity level did not correlate with overall survival (OS; P = .3, P = .4, P = .6, respectively) or progression-free survival (PFS; P = .058, P > .9, P = .2, respectively). FEV1 as a continuous measure was associated with reduced PFS in a multivariable model (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.96; P = .007). Spline modeling demonstrated a linear correlation between FEV1 and PFS. Categorical FEV1, DLCO, and pulmonary comorbidity level failed to predict therapy efficacy or toxicity. FEV1 as a continuous measure was the sole PFT measure associated with PFS, independent of OS or severe toxicities.

Background: There have been no previous comprehensive reports on interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in Israeli population, that may have unique epidemiological features. We aimed to explore ILD in Israel, with an emphasis on disparities between different regions of the country. Methods: The study included consecutive patients with a multidisciplinary diagnosis of ILD, using data from registries of four tertiary medical centers (MC) located in Central and Northern Israel. Multivariate regression models were used to assess the region of residence (peripheral vs. central) as an independent predictor for ILD subtypes. Results: Included were 927 patients with ILD (mean age 67 ± 13, 40% females). Most patients (56–61%) reported working in at least one job that involved relevant inhalational exposures. Despite the geographic proximity of MCs (all within 100 km), significant variations in demographic and clinical characteristics were observed, including age, sex, exposures, and ILD diagnoses (p < 0.01). The most prevalent diagnoses were Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF, range 13–58%) and autoimmune-related ILD (11–30%). In peripheral areas, the diagnosis of IPF was more frequent (53% vs. 24%, p < 0.01), while exposure-related ILD (5% vs. 16%, p < 0.01) and autoimmune-related ILD (16% vs. 25%, p < 0.01) were more frequent in central Israel. In multivariate analysis, peripheral residence remained an independent predictor for IPF (AOR 2.95, 95% CI 2.1–4.1) and central residence for exposure-related ILD (AOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.33–0.63). Conclusions: Variations in ILD characteristics were observed between centers in close geographic proximity, highlighting disparities between peripheral and central Israel, and the need for personalized assessment based on local frequencies and exposures.