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Review
. 2025 May 1:15:1546641.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1546641. eCollection 2025.

Preventing pneumococcal infections in patients with hematological malignancies: a review of evidence and recommendations based on modified Delphi consensus

Tulika Seth  1 , Sameer Melinkeri  2 , Tuphan Kanti Dolai  3 , Jina Bhattacharyya  4 , Neeraj Sidharthan  5 , Prantar Chakrabarti  6 , Chaithanya Malalur  7 , Santosh Taur  7
Affiliations
Review

Preventing pneumococcal infections in patients with hematological malignancies: a review of evidence and recommendations based on modified Delphi consensus

Tulika Seth et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

Introduction: Individuals with hematological malignancies (HMs) are at a high risk of invasive pneumococcal disease due to underlying malignancy and subsequent immunosuppressive anticancer therapy. Early management of pneumococcal infections is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable patient subgroup. In this study, we aim to review the current evidence and recommendations regarding the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in patients with HMs and develop a consensus document on the optimal timing and patient profiles who can benefit from them.

Methods: The modified Delphi consensus method was used for achieving consensus. The panel comprised a scientific committee of six experts from India. Questions were drafted for discussion around: (i) the risk and consequences of pneumococcal disease in HMs; (ii) barriers to pneumococcal vaccination in the hemato-oncology clinical setting; and (iii) evidence and optimal timing of pneumococcal vaccines in HMs. The questionnaire was shared with the panel through an online survey platform (Delphi round 1). The consensus level was classified as high (≥80%), moderate (60%-79%), and low (< 60%). A Delphi round 2 meeting was conducted to discuss the questions that received near or no consensus to reach an agreement. The final draft of consensus statements was circulated among the experts for approval.

Results: Pneumonia with or without bacteremia and bacteremia without foci of infection are the most frequently reported clinical presentations of pneumococcal infections in patients with HMs. A high risk of pneumococcal disease has been observed in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Priming with PCV enhances the response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 (PPSV23) in patients with HMs. Experts agreed that PCV is beneficial and can be strongly recommended in patients with CLL, MM, and patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) would benefit from systematic revaccination with PCV after chemotherapy. The evidence is inadequate to consistently recommend pneumococcal vaccination to all patients with lymphoma, AML, and adults with ALL.

Conclusion: This expert consensus will guide clinicians on the recommended approach for administering pneumococcal vaccination to patients with HMs.

Keywords: consensus; delphi; hematological malignancies; hematopoietic stem cell transplant; pneumococcal Infections; risk; vaccines.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author PC is a consultant to Zoho Corporation. Authors CM and ST are full-time employees of Pfizer India Ltd., and hold stocks at the time of submission. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical spectrum of pneumococcal infections (1).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Process overview used to create the clinical consensus statement. HM, Hematological malignancy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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