ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer patients are more sensitive to infection induced by SARS-CoV-2, especially ones with impaired immune response. Vaccines are approved as safe and effective, and they are recommended in oncology patients. The aim of our study was to see the percentage of reinfections after second dose of vaccines against SARS-CoV2.
ABSTRACT
Goals: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have a profound effect on the entire oncology community by impacting patients with cancer directly or by delaying or interrupting their specific oncology treatment. Aim of our study was to explore impact of COVID-19 infection on patients with solid tumors. Methods: Between April and December 2020.we collected data from 82 patients that had a COVID-19 infection and were receiving specific oncology treatment trough a Daily chemotherapy hospital at Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia. Data about course of COVID-19 infection were collected as following: for patients not treated at the hospital, data were collected in direct contact with patients and available medical documents;for hospitalized patients, data were collected from the medical reports. All of 82 patients had a proven infection by laboratory findings (RT-PCR, antigen or serology test). Demographic data, oncology diagnosis and treatment modality were collected from patients’ electronic records. Results: Out of 82 patients, 72 (88%) are female, and 10 (12%) are male. Patients’ mean age at the time of the COVID-19 diagnosis was 57.3 ± 12.9 years. 35 patients (43%) didn’t have any co-morbidities, 30 of them (37%) had 1 and 17 (20%) had 2 or more co-morbidities requiring active therapy. In our group, 60 patients (73.2%) had nonmetastatic disease and 22 (26.8%) had metastatic disease, out of whom, 10 patients have one organ affected with metastasis and 12 have two or more affected sites. At the time of COVID-19 diagnosed infection, 44 patients (53.7%) was receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. 33 patients (40.2%) had normal chest X-ray findings and 27 patients (32.9%) had pneumonia. Due to minimal or mild symptoms chest Xray wasn’t done in 22 patients (26.8%). 2 patients (2.4%) died from bilateral pneumonia caused by COVID-19 infection. Both patients were on cytotoxic chemotherapy (Paclitaxel/Capecitabin) in combination with HER2 target therapy. One patient had localy advanced and other had metastatic breast cancer. Out of 80 patients (97.6%) that survived COVID-19 infection, 16 are still recovering.We evaluated 64 patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection. 10 of them (15.6%) had progression of their malignant disease, of whom one patient died. Conclusion(s): Despite the fact that only 2 patients from our group died due to COVID-19 infection, one-third of patients had pneumonia and severe symptoms. We will further evaluate impact of COVID19 infection on their oncology treatment and disease outcome. Conflict of Interest: No significant relationships.
ABSTRACT
Background: Currently over 160 million people worldwide had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Cancer patients are more sensitive to infections. Patients with active cancer treatment should be considered for priority access to COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: We evaluated between February and May 2021. 114 patients with solid tumours who were actively been treated at the IORS and have received vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 virus. Demographic data, diagnosis, current therapy and co-morbidities were collected from patients’ records. Data about vaccination: first and second dose, type of the vaccine and side effects were collected by questionnaire approved by the Ethics Committee. Results: 114 patients received the vaccine, 89 (78%) female, 25 (22%) male. Patients’ mean age was 61.3 ± 13.5 years, youngest was 37.8, the oldest was 83.9 years old. 105 of them received both doses of the vaccine. 36 pts (31.6%) had one and 30 (26.3%) had 2 or more co-morbidities requiring active therapy. 58 patients (50.9%) had early disease, 56 (49.1%) had metastatic disease. 42 patients (36.8%) was receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Out of 114 vaccinated patients, 7 of them (6.1%) had previously COVID-19 infection. One patient had COVID-19 infection 5 days after receiving second dose of vaccine. 81 patients (71.1%) received vaccine made by Sinopharm company, followed by Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine (14 patients, 12.3%), Sputnik V (10 patients, 8.8%) and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (9 patients, 7.9%). 85 of them (74.6%) didn’t have any side effects after receiving the vaccine. 13 patients (11.4%) had 2 or more symptoms. The most common side effect was pain at the injection site of the vaccine and it was present in 12 patients (10.5%). 10 patients (8.8%) reported chills and shivering. Fever was present in 9 patients (7.9%). Only two patients had allergic-like reactions that was present with skin rush. None of the patients had severe allergic reactions. Conclusions: In our study 114 patients with solid tumours and active oncology treatment had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 virus without severe side effects. Our study support current guidelines which promote vaccination in oncology patients as priority. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.