ABSTRACT
Background: Recent reports highlight the higher incidence of severe events in cancer patients (pts) affected by COVID-19, although, insufficient data are available about the association with immunotherapy. Italian scientific society and colleges (AIOM, CIPOMO, COMU) released shared recommendations according to pts risk of infection and tumor characteristics, demanding for telephone consultations and, if suitable, treatments delay. Material and Methods: In Modena and Reggio Emilia Cancer Centers, medical reports of pts undertaking immunotherapy between January 1st 2020 and April 30th 2020 were collected. For those pts infected with COVID-19, identified by thoracic computerized tomography criteria and RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal specimens according to WHO indications, we estimated the risk of infection and related complications that lead to hospitalization. Results: A total of 337 pts with solid tumors treated with anti-PD1 and anti-PDL-1 antibody regardless the line of treatment was identified. Cancer diagnosis included 156 (46,3%) lung cancer, 74 (22%) melanoma, 36 (10,7%) kidney, 23 (7%) colorectal, 12 (3,4%) head and neck, and, 36 (10,6%) miscellaneous. Only 3 pts (0.9%), all with metastatic disease and during first line therapy were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection (Table1). The median age was 57 years. 2 pts have been treated with immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy, and 1 patient with anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA-4. The onset symptom was fever in 2 pts, while 1 patient had subjective dyspnea. Subsequently, they develop respiratory distress and underwent to non-invasive assisted ventilation, receiving treatments with hydroxychloroquine, steroids, low molecular weight heparin. Tocilizumab was administered only in 1 patient according to progressive increase of serum IL-6 values. Nobody was admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Since the last update, May 15th 2020, 1 patient died while the others have recovered resulting COVID-19 negative to nasopharyngeal swab. Conclusions: Although not conclusive, in our series, cancer pts infected by COVID-19 receiving immunotherapy do not appear to be exposed to greater risk of recovery.
ABSTRACT
Background: Higher incidence of severe events in cancer pts affected by COVID-19 have been reported. However, the association with oncological treatments is not clear yet. Recommendations have been released by Italian scientific society and colleges (AIOM, CIPOMO, COMU) according to the risk of infection and tumor characteristics, suggesting telephone consultations and, if suitable, treatments delay. Methods: In Modena and Reggio Emilia Cancer Centers, previous Ethical Committee approval, medical reports of pts undertaking immunotherapy between January 1st - April 30th 2020 were collected. According to WHO indications COVID-19 infection was identified by thoracic CT scan and RT-PCR of nasopharyngeal specimens. For those pts we estimated the risk of infection and complications that lead to hospitalization. Results: A total of 337 pts with solid tumors treated with anti-PD1/PDL-1 antibody regardless the line of treatment was identified. Cancer diagnosis included 156 (46,3%) lung, 74 (22%) melanoma, 36 (10,7%) kidney, 23 (7%) colorectal, 12 (3,4%) head and neck, 36 (10,6%) miscellaneous. Only 3 pts (0.9%), with advanced disease and in first line therapy were hospitalized for COVID-19 (Table). The onset symptom was fever in 2 pts, and subjective dyspnea in 1 pt. Subsequently, they develop respiratory distress and underwent to non-invasive assisted ventilation, receiving hydroxychloroquine, steroids, low molecular weight heparin. Tocilizumab was administered in 1 pt due to progressive increase of serum IL-6 values. Nobody was admitted in Intensive Care Unit. Since the last update, May 15th 2020, 1 pt died;the others have recovered with negative nasopharyngeal swab. [Formula presented] Conclusions: Although not conclusive, in our series, cancer pts infected by COVID-19 receiving immunotherapy do not appear to be exposed to greater risk of recovery. Legal entity responsible for the study: Angela Damato. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.