key: cord-0804917-vzzx713l
authors: Lau, George; Sharma, Manoj
title: Clinical practice guidance for hepatology and liver transplant providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: APASL expert panel consensus recommendations
date: 2020-05-23
journal: Hepatol Int
DOI: 10.1007/s12072-020-10054-w
sha: 52da7e0e05b1ceb24380b2e442ea1303a218296e
doc_id: 804917
cord_uid: vzzx713l

BACKGROUND: Confronting a once-in-a-century pandemic with COVID-19, tremendous stress has been placed in all walks of life worldwide. AIMS: In order to enhance scientific information interflow in the arena of liver diseases in Asia–Pacific region during this difficult time, Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) has taken the initiative to form the APASL COVID-19 Taskforce to formulate a clinical practice guidance in Hepatology, liver-related oncology, transplantation and conduct of clinical trials. METHODS: A taskforce with 22 key opinion leaders in Hepatology from 16 countries or administration regions in Asia–Pacific regions was formed and through intense interaction via webinar, this guidance was formulated. Based on scientific data and experiences, recommendations were made in the management of liver injury, liver transplantation, autoimmune diseases, chronic liver diseases, delivery of elective and emergency services and conduct of clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first consensus clinical guidance synthesized by APASL for our hepatologist and their allied medical personal.

As per World Health Organisation (WHO) on 4 May 2020, COVID-19 has been responsible for 3,407,747 confirmed cases with 238,198 (7.0%) deaths around the world [1].

There is an urgent need for guidance in the practice of Hepatology. A taskforce with 22 members from 16 countries or administration regions in Asia-Pacific regions was formed and through intense interaction via webinar, this guidance was made. Our Taskforce has also formed the electronic database to collect liver injury data from patients who suffered from COVID-19 in Asia-Pacific region "APCOLIS" study ("APASL COVID Liver Injury Spectrum) (https :// www.surve ymonk ey.com/r/covid -liver ). These recommendations suggest preferred approaches to the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of care. They are intended to be flexible and modifiable according to local conditions. To more fully characterize the quality of evidence supporting the recommendations, the Guideline Committee of the APASL adopted a Class (reflecting benefit versus risk) and Level (assessing strength or certainty) of Evidence reported with each recommendation [2] .

The members of APASL COVID 19 Task force are listed in acknowledgements.

WHO recommends using various categories (no cases, sporadic cases, clusters of cases and community transmission) to describe transmission patterns at national and subnational levels (wherever possible) to guide decisions for preparedness, readiness and response activities. According to current evidence, COVID-19 virus is primarily transmitted between people through respiratory droplet, by direct contact with infected people or contact with contaminated surfaces in the immediate environment or with objects used on the infected person. Airborne transmission may be possible when procedures that generate aerosols are performed on infected patients. Such procedures include endotracheal intubation, bronchoscopy, open suctioning, administration of nebulized treatment, manual ventilation, turning the patient to the prone position, disconnecting the patient from the ventilator, non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation, tracheostomy, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In addition, several studies reported that SARS-CoV-2, were isolated from feces and urine patients [1] . But it is unclear whether human-to-human transmission can be implemented by the above routes. Asymptomatic patients can also be a source of infection [3] . Early dynamics studies in Wuhan suggested a doubling time of the number of infected persons of 6-7 days and a median R 0 value of 5.7 (95% CI 3.8-8.9) [4] .

In a meta-analysis of 43 studies involving 3600 COVID-19 patients, fever [83.3% (95% CI 78.4-87.7)], cough [60.3% (54.2-66. 3)], and fatigue [38.0% (29.8-46.5)] were the most common clinical symptoms, followed by increased sputum production, shortness of breath, and myalgia, with estimated prevalence just under 30% for each, respectively [5] . Of 1141 confirmed COVID-19 cases from Wuhan, 183 (16%) presented with gastrointestinal symptoms only [6] . The most common laboratory abnormalities were elevated C-reactive protein [ (63.4-82. 1)] were the most frequently reported findings on computed tomography. The overall estimated proportion of severe cases and case-fatality rate was 25.6% (17.4-34.9 ) and 3.6% (1.1-7.2), respectively [5] . According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patients > 65 years old, with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or chronic liver disease are at higher risk for severe More prominent laboratory abnormalities (lymphopenia, elevated D-dimer, LDH) may be risk factors for poor outcome [8] . Recently, risk score model such as CALL (Comorbidities, older Age, higher Lactate dehydrogenase and lower Lymphocyte count) had been shown to have positive and negative predictive values of disease progression of 50.7% (38.9% -62.4%) and 98.5% (94.7% -99.8%), respectively [9] .

WHO case definition includes (1) suspect case-a patient with acute respiratory illness (fever and at least one sign/ symptom of respiratory disease, e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and a history of travel to or residence in a location reporting community transmission of COVID-19 disease during the 14 days prior to symptom onset; or patient with any acute respiratory illness and having been in contact with a confirmed or probable COVID-19 case in the last 14 days prior to symptom onset; or a patient with severe acute respiratory illness and the absence of an alternative diagnosis that fully explains the clinical presentation; (2) probable case-a suspect case for whom testing for the COVID-19 virus is inconclusive, or a suspect case for whom testing could not be performed for any reason; (3) confirmed case -a person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19 infection, irrespective of clinical signs and symptoms [1]. Countries may need to adapt case definitions depending on their local epidemiological situation and other factors. Confirmation of COVID-19 is based on detection of virus RNA by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) such as real-time reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). The viral genes targeted so far include the N, E, S and RdRP genes. RNA extraction should be done in a biosafety cabinet in a BSL-2 or equivalent facility. was made between elevated liver enzymes (any elevation above the ULN) and liver injury (ALT and/or AST > 3 × ULN; ALP, GGT, and/or total bilirubin > 2 × ULN). Elevated liver enzymes and liver injury were seen in 50% and 5% at admission; and 76.3% and 21.3% during hospitalization respectively [12] . Rarely, COVID-19 infection can present as acute hepatitis with transaminases 10-20x ULN at admission with all other causes having been ruled out [13] .

The underlying mechanism of liver injury remains speculative. The putative mechanisms of liver injury in COVID-19 infection include direct cytopathic effects of the virus, immune imbalance and cytokine storm related multiorgan damage, hypoxia-reperfusion dysfunction and drug induced liver injury due to various types of drugs used for management of COVID-19 infection.

One recent study using single cell RNA sequencing on fresh liver tissue specimens from 4 deceased donors of liver transplants (after circulatory death) found ACE 2 expression in 59.7% of cholangiocytes cluster of cells as compared to 2.6% of hepatocytes. Average expression level in hepatocytes is twentyfold less than the expression level in the cholangiocytes population. In fact ACE expression level in cholangiocytes is comparable to Alveolar Type 2 cells [14] . Studies in liver ductal organoids inoculated with COVID-19 found that human liver ductal organoids are susceptible to COVID-19 infection and support robust viral replication, and COVID-19 infection impairs the barrier and bile acid transporting functions of cholangiocytes [15] . In a mouse model of acute liver injury with partial hepatectomy, ACE2 expression in the liver was down regulated on the first day, but it was elevated up to twice of the normal level on the third day and returned to normal level on seventh day when the liver recovered and hepatocyte proliferation stopped. The experimental results implied the up regulation of ACE2 expression in the liver was caused by compensatory proliferation of hepatocytes derived from bile duct epithelial cells during acute liver injury [16] . Considering the COVID-19 patients with liver injury mainly manifests as elevation of serum aminotransferases ( cholestatic enzymes are elevated less commonly), it seems that hepatocytes are not targeted by COVID-19,or at least not through ACE2. Liver damages in patients might not be caused directly by viral infection of hepatocytes and liver injury in COVID-19 may thus have alternative pathophysiology and etiology.

Pathologically, liver injury is accompanied by hepatocyte degeneration, focal necrosis, capillary bile duct cholestasis and inflammation in the portal area but interestingly, SARS-CoV2 cannot be detected [17] . In the absence of influenza virus particles in the liver, "collateral damage" resulting from expanding CD8 + T-cell populations has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver injury during influenza infections [18] In keeping with this, post-mortem liver biopsy in patients who died from COVID-19 showed only microvesicular steatosis, accompanied by hyperactivation of T cells suggesting that liver injury is likely immune mediated rather than direct cytopathic damage as described in other viral respiratory disease [19] . The overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor,IL-6, (IL)-2, IL-7, interferon-γ inducible protein 10, monocyte chemo attractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α and IL-11) have been described as a cytokine storm, leading to an increased risk of vascular hyperpermeability, multiorgan failure, and eventually death when the high cytokine concentrations are unabated over time [20] . Activation of coagulation pathways during the immune response to infection results in over production of pro inflammatory cytokines leading to multiorgan injury. During inflammation, the anticoagulant concentrations declined due to reduced production and increasing consumption. This procoagulat-anticoagulant imbalance predisposes to the development of microthrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiorgan failure [21] .

Hypoxia and shock induced by COVID-19-related complications (such as respiratory distress syndrome, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and multiple organ failure) may also cause hepatic ischemia and hypoxia reperfusion dysfunction. Oxygen reduction and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes during shock and hypoxic conditions could lead to cell death. The subsequent mitochondrial damage, marked increase in reactive oxygen species and their peroxidation products can act as a second messenger, activating redox sensitive transcription factors, and further amplifying the release of multiple proinflammatory factors, causing liver damage [22] . Pneumonia associated hypoxia is an important factor causing secondary liver injury in COVID-19 patients.

Moderate microvascular steatosis [23, 24] with mild hepatic inflammation in liver pathology (postmortem) COVID-19 patients indicates the possibility of mitochondrial damage due to drug induced liver injury. Previously, it has been reported that patients suffering from viral infections, such as hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency viruses, are more prone to developing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) [25] . It is unclear whether COVID-19 infection also predisposes to DILI. MAFLD, a recently recognised comorbidity factor for disease progression in COVID-19, can sensitize the liver for hepatotoxicants such as acetaminophen, used as antipyretic for symptomatic treatment. [26] . Also, patients suffering from COVID-19 were shown to have an increased serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) which is a chemokine known to exacerbate steatohepatitis. Actemra (tocilizumab) -an interleukin-6 inhibitor -has been approved in China for the treatment of COVID-19 patients with serious lung damage and accompanying elevated blood levels of IL-6 [27] . The use of these immune suppressive therapy in other disease conditions has been shown to result in fulminant hepatic failure due to hepatitis B virus reactivation in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection [28] . A number of therapeutic agents, namely chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, favipiravir, lopinavir/ritonavir and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) are being used in the treatment of COVID-19 with variable degree of hepatotoxicity. (Table 1 ) [29] [30] [31] [32] A recent study on 417 patients with COVID-19,use of lopinavir/ritonavir increased the odds of liver injury (ALT and/ or AST > 3 × ULN; ALP, GGT, and/or TBIL > 2 × ULN) by 7-fold [12] . On 1 st May 2020, Remdesivir, a nucleotide ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase inhibitors, has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for emergency treatment for those hospitalized with severe COVID-19 disease. Liver function derangement, which lead to drug withdrawal, has been reported in patients treated with Remdesivir [33] .

The severity and frequency of liver injury correlate with the severity of COVID-19; those with disease progression have severe liver injury more frequently [2, 10, 11, 13, 34] . In one recent study, it was found that after adjustment for age, sex, epidemiological history, liver comorbidities, and initial symptoms, liver injury(ALT and/or AST > 3 × ULN; ALP, GGT, and/or TBIL > 2 × ULN) had an odds ratio of 9.04 (95% CI 3.19-25.6) for developing severe COVID-19 [12] . Emerging data suggest that pre-existing CLD occurred in 2-11% of patients with COVID-19 and patients with underlying metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) are more susceptible to disease progression with more prolonged viral shedding [35] . Figure 1 shows an approach to elevated liver enzymes in a COVID-19 patient.

(1) Expectant treatment with constant liver function tests is adequate in most instances [Class I, level C]. 

Health care workers and other hospital staff are at risk for COVID-19. Healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 may spread the virus to patients and to each other, and should stay away from inpatient and outpatient work until approval of clinical duty resumption issued by local health authorities is obtained. Minimizing interactions among healthcare workers and between healthcare workers and patients is critical to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Minimizing the transport of patients within and between healthcare facilities could reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

(1) Conduct outpatient clinic and inpatient rounds of non-COVID patients with the minimum number of personnel needed for care provision at a given time. UƟlity of liver biopsy to be evaluated, on case to case basis Imaging Chronic liver disease particularly in patients with cirrhosis is a major risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Interval HCC surveillance can facilitate detection of early HCC [36] . Although HCC surveillance with ultrasound and AFP every 6 months is recommended, there should be a balance between the risk of a delayed HCC detection and the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the process of HCC surveillance. There was a report of similarly overall survival with 12-monthly HCC surveillance [37] . Therefore, delaying HCC surveillance is reasonable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

( 

The angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE2), the receptor for COVID-19 viral entry, have been shown to be expressed on cholangiocytes [14] . Liver biopsy may have a risk of COVID-19 viral transmission.

(1) Among patients not infected with COVID-19, cancel all elective/non-urgent liver biopsy procedures. 

Variceal bleeding is one of the common and important complications in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Surveillance for high risk varices is recommended for considering primary prophylaxis in patients with high risk of variceal bleeding [38] . As COVID-19 virus has been detected in saliva and feces, endoscopy can be a risk for COVID-19 transmission [39, 40] . In addition, upper endoscopic procedure could be aerosol generating [41] .

(1) Elective or non-urgent endoscopy should be deferred. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had enormous impacts on the provision of liver transplantation (LT) around the world. The capacity to provide LT has been impacted severely due to reduced referrals of deceased donors and diversion of hospital and ICU resources to COVID-19 cases [45, 46] . Other impacts include the risk of LT recipients or live donors acquiring SARS-COV-2 infection during hospitalization and the possibility of transmission from an undiagnosed donor to a recipient or to healthcare workers. In view of the limitations in access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other resources during the pandemics, and transmission risks to patients and healthcare workers, governments in many countries have implemented restrictions on elective surgery. Liver transplant units around the world have observed significantly reduced transplant activity and needed to prioritize those patients at highest risk mortality if transplant procedure was delayed.

The impacts of COVID-19 in LT patients may differ if the infection is acquired in the perioperative or early post-transplant period when immunosuppressive levels are highest and potentially more severe COVID-19. On the other hand, some long-term post-transplant patients may also have many of the comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, that have been associated with severe COVID-19 [47, 48] . There are also concerns that hospitalized immune suppressed patients may have prolonged viral shedding [49] , posing a risk to contacts.

To date there have been few reports of the impacts of COVID-19 infection on LT recipients. Reports from transplant centers are emerging from China [50] , Spain [51] and Italy [52] . Current evidence suggests that the profile of COVID-19 infection may be no worse in LT patients than in non-transplant patients and there may be lower risk of hyperinflammation, cytokine storm and severe lung injury seen in patients with severe respiratory-COVID-19 infection [43] , suggesting that the presence of immunosuppressive therapy may modify the host response to infection. However, high mortality rates in long-term transplant recipients have been reported from some transplant centers [51] [52] [53] , particularly in patients on low immunosuppression and with the metabolic comorbidities that predict severe disease and mortality in non-transplant patients. Recommendations regarding the impact of COVID-19 on LT services and the care of LT patients have emerged from various transplant centers [54] [55] [56] [57] . 

The impact of COVID-19 infection on patients with autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, is unclear. However, there are no data to suggest these patients, even if immunosuppressed, are at increased risk of severe infection. There is a significant risk of under-treatment if diagnosis is delayed in patients with new-onset disease or if doses of immunosuppressive medications are reduced based on theoretical concerns that immunosuppressed patients are at particular risk. Furthermore, clinicians should aim to provide diagnostic investigations, therapeutic procedures and long-term monitoring through the pandemic as interruptions may have significant impacts on long-term outcomes. Some guidance regarding the care of patients with AILD from experienced centers heavily impacted by COVID-19 is emerging [58] . Registry-level data are anticipated in the future. 

One of the cell surface receptor candidates for SARS-CoV-2 is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which exists in human airway epithelial cells as well as cholangiocytes and hepatocytes. Therefore, this virus and/or COVID-19 may affect the natural course of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

It is important to avoid or reduce the opportunity to contact with SARS-CoV2 infected patients. Although the duration of follow-up for patients depends on the local epidemic situation of COVID-19, delay of 2-3 months seems to be reasonable even in higher risk patients. If possible, computed tomography (CT) of chest may also be performed when abdominal CT is performed as chest CT examination can accidentally diagnose COVID-19. [59] Telemedicine and phoned prescription may be useful to avoid "face to face" contact. [60] 

(1) Avoid frequent visits to hospitals and postpone patient visits for screening HCC. [Class I, level C] (2) Refer to imaging guidance for HCC screening

In general, APASL HCC guidelines [61] should be observed. However, at present, it is not completely ruled out that transfusion transmits SARS-CoV2 [62] . Clinicians should pay careful attention to the blood supply in HCC resection, as most blood donation centers in many endemic areas around the world have closed [63] . Transplantation also requires long-term use of immunosuppressants, which may be a risk for COVID-19. Screening for SARS-CoV-2 using new diagnostic tools [64] should be carefully performed in both donor and recipient. After transplantation, careful follow-up should also be paid [65] .

The effects of COVID-19 in patients with HCC is not known. In general, cancer patients are more susceptible to infections than individuals without cancer, due to systemic immune suppressive state due to malignancy and anticancer treatments [66] . Therefore, these patients might be at increased risk of COVID-19 and have a poorer prognosis. In a recent study on 1590 COVID-19 cases (admitted for acute respiratory COVID-19) from 575 hospitals in China, it was found that 18 (1%; 95% CI 0.61-1.65) had a history of cancer (although none of the patients had history of HCC). This figure seemed to be higher than the incidence of cancer in the overall Chinese population [285.83 (0.29%) per 100 000 people [2015 cancer epidemiology statistics], suggesting that cancer patients were more susceptible to infection [67] . Twenty five percent of cancer patients had chemotherapy or surgery in the last 1 month. Patients with cancer were observed to have a higher risk of severe events. Also, patients with cancer deteriorated more rapidly than those without cancer [median time to severe events: 13 vs 43 days (20-not reached), p < 0.0001; Hazard ratio 3.56 (95% CI 1.65-7.69), after adjusting for age]. After adjusting for other risk factors, including age, smoking history, and other comorbidities, patients who had undergone chemotherapy or surgery within last 1 month had higher odds of developing severe events [OR = 5.34 (1.80-16.18); p = 0.0026] as compared to patients who had not undergone such procedure within the last 1 month. However, concerns remain regarding generalizability of the study, with such a small sample size with a large amount of heterogeneity (various cancer types with different biological behaviors, highly variable disease courses, and diverse treatment strategies). However, the specific clinical strategies for patients with HCC remain unclear. This is a yet published scenario with scarce data. It is unknown whether patients with HCC are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 by virtue of their malignancy. The effect of TACE, immunotherapy (Check point inhibitors) and kinase inhibitors on risk of getting COVID-19 and developing severe COVID-19 if infected remains unknown.

Stress related to isolation and fear of COVID-19, might result in a surge of alcohol intake in patients with HCC and should be avoided [68] . The risk of fatality has been related to preexisting comorbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension which need to be carefully managed [69] .

In HCC patients with COVID-19, COVID-19 should initially be treated. Attention should be paid to immunosuppressants and drug-drug interactions in HCC patients, as most had advanced liver diseases like cirrhosis. 

There is no evidence suggesting patients with stable chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis or MAFLD have increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, advanced cirrhosis, HCC, autoimmune liver diseases, and post liver transplant patients may be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection as they are immuno-compromised. The interactions between chronic liver diseases and COVID 19 remain largely unknown. The prevalence of chronic liver disease in COVID-19 patients ranges from 2-11% [10] . At the time of this writing, there is limited Information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on patients with chronic liver diseases. In an early pooled analysis of 6 studies [4 studies compared CLD in severe vs non severe cases (total 702 patients with 371 (52.8%) having severe disease); and 2 studies compared rate of CLD in non-survivors vs survivors (total 202 patients with 100 (49.5%) being non survivors), it was concluded that CLD was not associated with increased odds of severe form of COVID-19 or with increased odds of mortality from COVID-19 [70] . A recent study including 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B and COVID-19 showed that they had higher total bilirubin levels, more severe disease course (46.7% vs. 24.1%), and a higher mortality rate (13.3% vs. 2.8%) compared with those without HBV infection [71] , suggesting COVID-19 patients with HBV co-infection may be easier to develop liver injury with more adverse outcomes and mortality. However, this should be carefully examined because of the small number of hepatitis B patients in the report. The number of fatal COVID 19 patients in Europe where the hepatitis B is not endemic is not lower than in Chinese patients. In contrast, chronic viral hepatitis appears not to increase the risk of a severe course of COVID-19 [72] . In the meantime, a study on 202 COVID-19 patients revealed that 76 MAFLD patients had a higher risk of COVID-19 disease progression, higher likelihood of abnormal liver function from admission to discharge and longer viral shedding time when compared to non-MAFLD subjects [35] . The liver contains the largest number of macrophages (Kupffer cells) in the body and is a potent cytokine producer. Impaired hepatic innate immune status might play a critical role in COVID-19 outcome. In MAFLD patients, impaired innate immunity (manifested by derailed functional diversity of macrophages, imbalance between inflammation promoting M1 macrophages and inflammation suppressing M2 macrophages) and increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α by adipose cells and Kupffer cells, may predispose MAFLD patients to severe COVID-infection [35] . It is unclear if the risk is specific to MAFLD or to co-existing metabolic risk factors such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, which are known to be associated with COVID-19 severity.

Effects of COVID-19 infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis are unknown. Whether acute-on-chronic liver failure can be precipitated by COVID-19 remains unknown. It is important to evaluate patients with liver disease for COVID-19 if they develop new onset encephalopathy or other acute decompensation.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for liver dysfunction in COVID-19 related liver injury. We should target the SARS-CoV-2 infection and maintain the original therapy for underlying chronic liver diseases.

(1) Patients with liver cirrhosis/liver cancer/ on immunosuppressive therapy (AIH or post LT) might be more susceptible to 

To date, a lot of the clinical trials involving liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis, fatty liver and liver cancer, are conducted in Asia-Pacific region [73] . Many of these trials are meant for global registration and hence need to comply not only with local authority but also US FDA and European Medicines Agency. With the need for social distancing, quarantine and isolation implemented in response to pandemic COVID-19, site visits, trial medication administration and supply chain, samples and data collection and monitoring related to the conduct of clinical trials are facing great challenges [74, 75] . For many studies, screening of new subjects cannot be proceeded. Patients already in screening or on study are to continue treatment. To strike a balance between trial integrity and safety of patients, investigators and medical research personnel maintaining compliance with specific guidance would be of utmost importance. In this connection, timely modifications of protocol in accordance to local environment and the nature of the trial might be required.

With the widely available audio-visual real time contact via internet, the implementation of electronic informed consent, remote safety, performance outcome and interview-based clinician-reported outcome assessments would minimize the impact of COVID-19 pandemic to trial participants and studies. Speedy home delivery would ensure continuing use of the medications. Certain conditional adjustment with approval of the IRB could also be adopted as in reality, protocol deviation is almost unavoidable.

(1) Careful evaluation of the operational capability of the site in terms of adequate PPE for medical personal, extra checking on travel and contact history, temperature test and even throat swab test for SARS-CoV2. [ Class I, level C] (2) Communicate with sponsor to evaluate how alternative processes for safety assessments and study procedures such as phone contact, virtual visit, alternative location for local lab test or imaging scan could be implemented for the subjects who cannot attend the scheduled visits at site. Investigators would make treatment decisions upon review of all available safety information and discussion with study medical monito. [Class I, level C] (3) Arrange home delivery of medication to subjects, whom investigators considered safe to continue treatment. If the supply chain or shipment of investigational product (IP) to the site is affected, site-to-site transfer of IP, sponsor to patient transfer of IP (bypassing clinical trial pharmacies) or commercially purchasing the approved product could be implemented. IP administration such as infusion could be done via home nursing or local healthcare providers. [Class I, level C] (4) Document a listing of all study visits or procedures that are deviations from the protocol due to COVID-19 pandemic and submit the report with deviation reason to the IRB. The listing could simplify the report of protocol deviation (PD) since a large number of PD is expected to occur. [Class I, level C] (5) Notify local regulations and IRB of the contingency measures for the COVID-19 pandemic and make sure the measures are acceptable. For study-wide change in protocol conduct including but not limited to implementing remote visits and IP home delivery, protocol amendment should be submitted to IRB for approval.

In addition, trial participants should be made aware of and in agreement with the changes. [Class I, level C]

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