Clinical and Immunological Evolution of Covid-19 Occurring in a Context of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

France was gradually affected by SARS-Cov-2 from January 2020; it evolved in an epidemic mode in March and April 20. During the 1st phase of the epidemic, more than 250 000 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in France resulting in the death of more than 30,000 patients. Mortality from infection varies greatly depending on the age of the affected individuals and their comorbidities including a history of cancer. We conducted a retrospective study in 89 patients with lymphoma and Covid-19 during the first phase of the epidemic and showed a 30-day mortality of 29%. Mortality was higher in patients over 70 years of age and in a situation of relapsed or refractory disease. Lymphoma-induced hypogammaglobulinemia and / or lymphopenia as well as chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments are known to promote the development of infections in affected individuals. Among these, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, widely prescribed to treat B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL) induce a rapid depletion of over 95% of mature CD20 + B cells. This can alter the production of antibodies, and the constitution of memory responses to a new pathogen. Also, B lymphocytes have a key immunomodulatory role in the control of viral infections.

The specific immune response to SARS-CoV -2 and its evolution remain under characterization. Regardless of their neutralizing capacity, specific IgM appear 5 days after the onset of symptoms while IgG appear after 14 days. The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 also includes a T lymphocyte component, with an increase, among circulating lymphocytes, of activated CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes. Data are still lacking on the specific response of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes against SARS-CoV-2, but these responses probably play a crucial role in virus clearance as well as in the immunopathology associated with SARS-CoV-2. Therapeutic depletion of B lymphocytes before acute infection may alter the generation of primary and functional responses. Therefore, a growing concern is whether patients with B-NHL who have acquired an infection with SARS-CoV-2 are protected against re-infection in the same way when they have or have not received anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.

Analyzing the clinical and immunological evolution of Covid-19 in patients with B-NHL is useful to adapt the treatment recommendations in their regard according to the risk of severe form of Covid-19 . This is a multicenter, prospective study to determine whether treatment with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies in patients with B-cell NHL modifies the clinical and immunological course of Covid-19.