Antimicrobial Stewardship in Patients With Cancer: Interventions and Future Directions to Combat the Rise of Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients due to the overuse of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and inadequate diagnostic testing. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) can help mitigate this risk by promoting appropriate antimicrobial and laboratory test usage. However, implementing stewardship in this vulnerable population is challenging due to limited data, provider hesitancy, and the complexity of immunosuppressive conditions, such as cancer and its treatments. The authors commend Lasagna et al. for their insightful article on AMR in oncology patients but note a lack of actionable recommendations for ASPs. They propose offering both anecdotal and evidence-based interventions to enhance ASP effectiveness in immunocompromised patients.