Vaccination for herpes zoster in patients with solid tumors: a position paper on the behalf of the Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica (AIOM).

ESMO Open

Molecular Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.

Published: August 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus and is more common in immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients.
  • HZ can lead to long-lasting complications that negatively affect treatment for cancer and quality of life.
  • A new recombinant zoster vaccine offers strong immune responses for immunocompromised patients, prompting the need for guidelines on HZ vaccination recommendations for cancer patients.

Article Abstract

Herpes zoster (HZ) is the infectious reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. HZ is more frequent in immunocompromised subjects, including patients with cancer. HZ complications can even last for years with a consequent delay in treatment of the underlying malignancy and with an unfavorable impact on quality of life. Nowadays, HZ is a vaccine-preventable disease: the recent approval of adjuvanted glycoprotein E-based recombinant zoster vaccine has changed preventive perspectives in immunocompromised subjects. Recombinant zoster vaccine induced both strong humoral and cellular immune responses also in immunocompromised patients. The question is, therefore, to which categories of cancer patients we should recommend HZ vaccination. Based on a careful review of the available data present in the literature, including recommendations and expert opinions, we report the position of the Associazione Italiana di Oncologia Medica on HZ vaccination in adult patients with solid tumors, thus providing clinical practice advice in a field where clear-cut information is missing.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9434335PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100548DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

herpes zoster
8
patients solid
8
solid tumors
8
associazione italiana
8
italiana oncologia
8
oncologia medica
8
immunocompromised subjects
8
recombinant zoster
8
zoster vaccine
8
patients
5

Similar Publications

Association Between Child Varicella Vaccination and Zoster in Household Adults: A Retrospective Japanese Cohort Study.

Acta Paediatr

January 2025

Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Health Economics, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Aim: Some countries are hesitant to implement routine varicella vaccination for children because of concerns over the exogenous boosting hypothesis, which suggests that vaccinating children may increase herpes zoster cases in adults. However, substantial evidence supporting this hypothesis is lacking. This study assessed the association between a child's varicella vaccination status and herpes zoster occurrence in adults in the same household.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus that causes a painful, blistering rash. After a chickenpox infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells. When reactivated, usually in older adults or those with weakened immune systems, it travels along nerves, typically affecting a single strip of skin called a dermatome.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new regional anesthetic procedure that provides analgesia below the erector spinae muscles in an interfascial plane. The indications for its use continue to expand as we learn more about this block.

Case: We report a case of a 60 year old woman presenting to the emergency department (ED) with severe intractable pain after recent onset of herpes zoster infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Non-colorectal Cancer Screening and Vaccinations in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Expert Review.

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol

January 2025

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville FL. Electronic address:

Description: The aim of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice Update (CPU) is to provide best practice advice (BPA) statements for gastroenterologists and other health care providers who provide care to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The focus is on IBD-specific screenings (excluding colorectal cancer screening, which is discussed separately) and vaccinations. We provide guidance to ensure that patients are up to date with the disease-specific cancer screenings, vaccinations, as well as advice for mental health and general wellbeing.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!