Polypharmacy Heightens Postchemotherapy Inpatient Hospitalization Risk
Polypharmacy is a common occurrence, especially among the older patient population. An estimated 48% to 80% of older patients with cancer have multiple comorbidities that require pharmacologic management. Results from a recent study indicate that the number of medications used by older oncology patients in the 6 months before initiating IV chemotherapy is predictive of their posttreatment risk for inpatient hospitalization. Read more.

Low-Dose Aspirin May Diminish Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk in Patients With Hepatitis B or C 
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection are linked to a high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Based on experimental and clinical data, it has been theorized that aspirin may avert the progression of liver disease or carcinogenesis due to its mechanisms of action, such as inhibition of the proinflammatory enzyme COX-2, modulation of bioactive lipids, and inhibition of platelet degranulation. Read more.

Blood Cancer Patients May Present With Atypical COVID-19 Symptoms 
A recent case report suggests that blood cancer patients may have atypical COVID-19 symptoms. Research findings indicate that an excessive immune response and a strong cytokine storm activate in severe COVID-19. A case study of a patient in Wuhan, China, suggests that the immunosuppressant medication tocilizumab may be an effective COVID-19 treatment for very ill patients who also have multiple myeloma and other blood cancers. Read more.