In the SARS-CoV-2 era, do we need to be afraid of obinutuzumab?

In their paper, Pinto et al. report findings from the Italian URBAN study; an ambispective, observational, multicentre study evaluating the safety and efficacy of obinutuzumab-based therapy for advanced stage follicular lymphoma (FL) in routine practice. The URBAN substudy reported here examined severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outcomes in 299 patients with treatment-naïve advanced stage FL, treated with obinutuzumab-based chemoimmunotherapy and maintenance. The study began enrolling in September 2019, continuing enrolment throughout the pandemic, with cut-off for the current analysis of 31 January 2022; thus, it provides unique insights into various pandemic phases, including the impact of administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Commentary on: Pinto et al. Exposure to obinutuzumab does not affect outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage follicular lymphoma. Br J Haematol 2024; 205:2219-2227.