SarsCov2 pandemic and patients with metastatic cancers in Germany-Data from four prospective cancer registries

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Patients (pts) with metastatic cancers undergoing treatment are considered a high risk group for infection and potentially inferior outcome during the SarsCov2 pandemic. Currently no data have been published on the test rate, infection rate, efects on treatment and potential outcome. Here we present data from four prospective cohort studies (cancer registries) addressing these questions. Method(s) MYRIAM (multiple myeloma (MM), NCT03308474), OPAL (advanced breast cancer (ABC), NCT03417115), CARAT (advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), NCT03374267) and SAPHIR (gastric/oesophageal cancer (ESCC, GAC or GEJAC), NCT04290806) are prospective, observational, open, multicentre, interdisciplinary and intersectional clinical registries that collect data on all (sequential) treatments, patient and tumour characteristics, clinical and patient-reported outcomes in about 200 hospitals and ofce-based practices in Germany. Pts are recruited at start of treatment. In April 2nd 2020 data collection was updated regarding testing for SarsCov2, test results, efects on cancer treatment and outcome for all patients newly recruited, under observation or deceased afer March 1st 2020. Interim results as by June 17th have been summarised here and will be updated regarding further details with a data cut on August 31st 2020. Result(s) Until data cut for this snapshot analysis the question regarding testing had been answered for a total of 239 pts in the four projects (94 ABC, 72 MM, 46 RCC, 27 GAC/ESCC/GEJAC). Of these a total of 56 pts (23%) had been tested for a SarsCov2 infection and 5 patients (2% and 9% of those tested) had been tested positive. Further results on the test rate, severity of symptoms at diagnosis, course of disease and consequences on the cancer treatment will be analysed and presented with an updated data cut when about 500 pts are expected to have been documented. Conclusion(s) First data on SarsCov2 testing in patients with advanced cancers in Germany reveals that this high risk group had access to testing and that positive cases were identifed in routine care. While these first interim data have to be interpreted with caution, they proof that quick implementation of relevant new variables into existing cohort studies is feasibly and important to address urgent questions regarding the care of cancer patients.