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Cancer and Covid-19: Collectively catastrophic.
du Plessis, M; Fourie, C; Riedemann, J; de Villiers, W J S; Engelbrecht, A M.
  • du Plessis M; Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. Electronic address: 18971040@sun.ac.za.
  • Fourie C; Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  • Riedemann J; Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Cancer Care SA, Cape Gate and Panorama Oncology Centres, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • de Villiers WJS; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Campus, South Africa.
  • Engelbrecht AM; Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa; African Cancer Institute (ACI), Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Cytokine Growth Factor Rev ; 63: 78-89, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1474466
ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has spread rapidly across the globe, resulting in more than 3 million deaths worldwide. The symptoms of Covid-19 are usually mild and non-specific, however in some cases patients may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and systemic inflammation. Individuals with inflammatory or immunocompromising illnesses, such as cancer, are more susceptible to develop ARDS and have higher rates of mortality. This is mediated through an initial hyperstimulated immune response which results in elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a subsequent cytokine storm. This potentiates positive feedback loops which are unable to be balanced by anti-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, elevated levels of IL-1ß, as a result of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as well as IL-6 and TNF-α amongst many others, contribute to the progression of various cancer types. Furthermore, Covid-19 progression is associated with the depletion of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, B cell and natural killer cell numbers. Collectively, a Covid-19-dependent pro-inflammatory profile and immune suppression promotes the optimal microenvironment for tumourigenesis, initiation and immune evasion of malignant cells, tumour progression and metastasis as well as cancer recurrence. There are, however, therapeutic windows of opportunity that may combat both Covid-19 and cancer to improve patient outcomes.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Neoplasms Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Cytokine Growth Factor Rev Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Biochemistry Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: COVID-19 / Neoplasms Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Cytokine Growth Factor Rev Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Biochemistry Year: 2022 Document Type: Article