ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer patients (pts) have been associated with severe SARS-CoV2 infection and higher mortality compared with the general population. This could be related to the limitation of therapeutic effort based on their prognosis and healthcare prioritization towards non-cancer pts. The oncologist’s role could be crucial for providing high-quality care. We aim to assess the impact of oncologists (ONC) on COVID-19 management. Methods: Multicentre retrospective analysis of cancer pts diagnosed with COVID-19 between Mar-Apr 2020. We classified pts according to an estimated life expectancy (based on tumor/stage/line) in 3 groups: favourable group (FG) mOS >5 years (y), intermediate (IG) 1-5y and poor (PG) <1y. We studied COVID-19 management based on oncologist’s involvement: mainly-ONC vs. mainly other specialists (Other). Primary endpoint: COVID-19 30-day mortality (early-M). Secondary outcomes: intensive care unit admission (ICUa), the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and antiretroviral treatment (ARVt) and immunomodulatory drugs (ImD) administered. Results: 287 pts were enrolled, median age 69 (35-98), 52% male, 67% with an active tumor (of them 76% had advanced stage). Mostly thoracic tumors (26%), followed by gastrointestinal (21%) and breast (19%). Among 170 pts under treatment, 89 (52%) received chemotherapy (CHT). By prognostic group: 49% were included in FG (n=135), 40% in IG (n=113), and 11% in PG (n=30). Overall early-M rate was 27% (ONC 22% vs. Other 27%). Prognostic groups were associated with early-M: 19% (FG) vs. 31% (IG) vs. 37% (PG) (p=0.022). No significant differences regarding rate of ARDS (23% FG vs. 19% IG vs. 17% PG). The ONC-group (n=18) included 4 PG and 14 IG, 94% had an advanced stage disease, 83% receive CHT and 65% had PS≥2 (p=0.05 compared to Other group). In IG (ONC vs. Other): 7% vs. 2% ICUa, 100% vs. 34% ARVt and 57% vs. 7% ImD (all p<0.001). In PG (ONC vs. Other): 25% vs. 0% ICUa, 75% vs. 34% ARVt and 25% vs. 0% ImD (all p<0.001). Finally, FP managed only by Other: 13% ICUa;33% ARVt and 13% ImD. Conclusions: Oncologist mostly treated complex pts compared to other specialists. During COVID-19 crisis, setting prognostic groups helped to individualized therapeutic approaches, reflected by less mortality rate and no differences in terms of complications. Legal entity responsible for the study: Aleix Prat. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: L. Ghiglione: Licensing/Royalties: Hibor;Licensing/Royalties: Kyowa Kirin;Licensing/Royalties: Vifor Pharma. E. Auclin: Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Mundipharma;Licensing/Royalties: Sanofi Genzymes. S. Pilotto: Licensing/Royalties: AstraZeneca;Eli-Lilly;BMS;: Boehringer Ingelheim;MSD;Roche. A. Prat: Research grant/Funding (institution), Licensing/Royalties: Roche;Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Licensing/Royalties: Pfizer;Novartis;Amgen;Licensing/Royalties: BMS;Research grant/Funding (institution), Licensing/Royalties: Daiichi Sankyo;Advisory/Consultancy: Puma;Oncolytics Biotech;MSD;Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Lilly;Research grant/Funding (institution), Licensing/Royalties: Nanostring technologies;Officer/Board of Directors: Beast International Group (BIG);Solti's Foundation;Actitud frente al cancer Foundation;Solti;Research grant/Funding (institution): Boehringer;Sysmex Europa GmbH;Medica Scientia inno. Research, SL;Celgene, SLU;Astellas Pharma. L. Mezquita: Research grant/Funding (self), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses, Licensing/Royalties: Bristol-Myers Squibb;Licensing/Royalties: Tecnofarma;Licensing/Royalties, International Mentorship Program: AstraZeneca;Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses, Licensing/Royalties: Roche;Advisory/Consultancy: Roche Diagnostics;Research grant/Funding (self): Boehringer Ingelheim. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.