ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) is diagnosed by detecting the virus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The majority of p go on to develop antibodies (Ab) against viral proteins. However, it is not known how long these antibodies last nor whether cancer treatments could affect the duration of immune response. The prognosis and greater or lesser vulnerability of the oncological population are also unknown. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, multicenter serological study in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 was carried out in 50 Spanish hospitals. Eligibility criteria was a diagnosis of any thoracic cancer. The first determinations were performed between April 21, 2020 and June 3, 2020, either for p in follow up or in active treatment. Between September 10, 2020, and November 20, 2020, the second antibody (Ab) determination was performed in all previously seropositive p. Clinical and treatment data were collected, as was their clinical situation at study end. Study objectives were to prospectively determine seroprevalence in unselected lung cancer p during the first wave of the pandemic;the natural history of these p;the persistence of immunity more than 4 months after first determination;protection or lack thereof against reinfection after this period, and the nature of such protection;and the influence of treatments on maintenance or loss of immunity. Results: Of 1,500 p studied, 128 were seropositive, representing an overall prevalence of 8.5% seropositivity [95% confidence interval [CI], 7.2%, 10.1%]. Seventy-five percent were in active cancer treatment. COVID-19 infection was suspected in 47.7% [95% CI, 38.8%, 56.6%]. A second determination was performed on average 4.5 months later [IQR: 4;5] and obtained for 104 of the initially seropositive p (81%). A second determination could not be obtained in 24 p, the majority due to death caused by disease progression (73%). In the second determination, IgG was not detected in 30.8% (32/104) of p. The severity of the infection, the need for hospitalization (p: 0.032) and the presence of symptoms at diagnosis (p: 0.02), including fever (p: 0.005) and nasal congestion (p: 0.005), were associated with persistence of immunity in the second determination. No variables or treatments received were associated with Ab loss. At time of last follow-up among those p for whom a second determination was performed, 89% (93 p) had completely recovered from the virus, with no lasting after effects. Only 1 of the 128 (0.78%) seropositive p had died from COVID-19. Conclusions: The prevalence of infection in lung cancer p is similar to that of the general population. Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 does not appear to be compromised by treatment, persisting beyond 4 months. Neither do mortality rates appear to be particularly high in this unselected population.
ABSTRACT
Background: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 can turn into an acute respiratory infection. Approximately 15% of patients will develop a distress syndrome responsible in most cases of mortality. A host hyperinflammatory response induced by a cytokine storm, is the main cause of this severe complication. Chemotherapy myelosuppression is associated with higher risk of infections and mortality in cancer patients. There have been no previous reports about the clinical management of patients with neutropenia and concomitant COVID- 19. Herein, we present a multicenter experience in several hospitals during COVID-19 outbreak in neutropenic cancer patients infected by SARSCov- 2. Methods: Retrospective clinical data were collected from clinical reports. Protocol was approved by a Clinical Research Ethics Committee (HULP: PI-4194). Inclusion criteria were cancer patients with neutropenia (<1500 cells/mm3) and concomitant COVID-19 infection. Comorbidities, tumor type and stage, treatment, neutropenia severity, filgrastim (G-CSF), COVID-19 parameters and mortality were analyzed. Exploratory analysis included a description of all data collected and bivariate analyses among different pairs of variables, including their impact in mortality in this cohort. In addition, multivariable logistic regression was used to predict respiratory failure and death as a function of multiple variables. Results: Among 943 patients with cancer screened in 14 hospitals in Spain, eighty-three patients (8%) had a febrile neutropenia and COVID-19 infection. Lung (26%), breast (22%), colorectal (13%) and digestive noncolorectal (17%) cancers were the main locations and most patients had advanced disease (67%). Fifty-three (63%) of patients included died because respiratory failure. Neumonia was presented in 76% of patients, bilateral in 47% and 12% of all patients had thrombotic events. The median of neutrophils was 650cls/mm3 and 49% received GCSF with a median of days on treatment around 4,5 days. Among all variables related with mortality in neutropenic cancer patients with COVID-19 infection, we found that the number of days with GCSF showed a significant trend toward worse outcome and higher mortality. In particular, a logistic regression model was developed to predict respiratory failure, as a function of the number of days of G-CSF treatment. As adjusting covariates, sex, age, treatment purpose (palliative vs curative, to adjust for patient status), tumor type, and the lowest level of neutrophils in the patient (to adjust for neutropenic status) were used. A significant effect was obtained for the days of G-CSF treatment (OR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.03, 1.92], p-value = 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a prolonged G-CSF treatment could be disadvantageous for these cancer patients with COVID-19, with a higher probability of worse outcome.