LBA76_PR - Expected medium and long term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in oncology

Background

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and ensuing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is challenging cancer care and services worldwide.

Methods

A 95 items survey was distributed worldwide by 20 oncologists from 10 of the most affected countries in order to evaluate the impact on organization of oncological care.

Results

109 representatives from oncology centers in 18 countries (62.4% academic hospitals) filled out the survey (June 17 – July 14, 2020). A swab or gargle test is systematically performed before day care unit or overnight stay admissions in 27.5% and 58.7% of the centers, respectively. A local registry (64.2%) and systematic tracing (77.1%) of infected patients was organized in many centers. Treatment modalities mostly affected by the pandemic (cancellation/delay) were surgery (44.1%) and chemotherapy (25.7%). Earlier cessation of palliative treatment was observed in 32.1% of centers, and 64.2 % of participants agree that under-treatment is a major concern. At the pandemic peak, teleconsultations were performed for follow-up (94.5%), for oral therapy (92.7%), but also for patients receiving immunotherapy (57.8%) or chemotherapy (55%). Approximately 82% of participants estimate that they will continue to use telemedicine. Most participants reported more frequent use of virtual tumor boards (82%) and oncological team meetings (92%), but 45% disagree that virtual meetings are an acceptable alternative to live international meetings. Although 60.9% report reduced clinical activity during the pandemic peak, only 28.4% had an increased scientific activity. Only 18% of participants estimate that their well-being will not recover to previous levels by the end of the year; 63% indicate easily accessible psychological support for caregivers, but only 10% used or planned to use it. All clinical trial activities are or will soon be reactivated in 72.5% of the centers. Major study protocol violations/deviations were observed in 27.5% and significant reductions of clinical trial activities are expected by 37% of centers this year.

Conclusions

COVID-19 has a major impact on organization of patient care, well-being of caregivers, continued medical education and clinical trial activities in oncology.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Fondation Léon Fredericq.

Disclosure

G. Jerusalem: Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Pfizer; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Amgen; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: BMS; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: AstraZeneca; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Daiichi Sankyo; Advisory/Consultancy: AbbVie; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: MedImmune; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Merck KGaA. G. Curigliano: Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Seattle Genetics; Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Writing engagement: Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Pfizer; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Foundation Medicine; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Samsung; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Celltrion; Leadership role, Scientific Affairs Group: Ellipsis; Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Writing engagement: BMS; Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: MSD; Advisory/Consultancy: Mylan. M. Campone: Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy: GT1; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: Sanofi; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: Pierre-Favre; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: Servier; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Novartis; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: AbbVie; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: Accord; Honoraria (institution), Advisory/Consultancy: Pfizer; Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Lilly. M. Martin: Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Roche; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Puma; Advisory/Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory/Consultancy: Amgen; Advisory/Consultancy: Taiho Oncology; Advisory/Consultancy: Daichii Sankyo; Advisory/Consultancy: PharmaMar; Advisory/Consultancy: Eli Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy: Pfizer. M. Cristofanilli: Advisory/Consultancy: CytoDyn; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Research grant/Funding (institution): Pfizer; Advisory/Consultancy: Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Foundation Medicine; Advisory/Consultancy: G1 Therapeutics; Advisory/Consultancy: Sermionexx; Advisory/Consultancy: Genentch. L. Pusztai: Honoraria (self), Research grant/Funding (institution), Clinical trial support: Merck; Honoraria (self), Research grant/Funding (institution), Clinical trial support: AstraZeneca; Honoraria (self), Research grant/Funding (institution), Clinical trial support: Seattle Genetics; Honoraria (self): Novartis; Honoraria (self), Research grant/Funding (institution), Clinical trial support: Roche Genentech; Honoraria (self): Eisai; Honoraria (self): Daiichi; Honoraria (self): Syndax; Honoraria (self): Immunomedics. R. Bartsch: Advisory/Consultancy: Accord; Honoraria (self): AstraZeneca; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Daiichi; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Eli-Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: MSD; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Roche; Advisory/Consultancy: Puma; Advisory/Consultancy: Pierre-Favre; Advisory/Consultancy: Sandoz; Advisory/Consultancy: Eisai. M. Tagliamento: Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Bristol-Myers Squibb; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: AstraZeneca; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Takeda; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Novartis; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Amgen. J. Cortés: Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche; Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy: Celgene; Advisory/Consultancy: Cellestia; Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): AstraZeneca; Advisory/Consultancy: Biothera Pharmaceutical; Advisory/Consultancy: Merus; Advisory/Consultancy: Seattle Genetics; Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Daiichi Sankyo; Advisory/Consultancy: Erytech; Advisory/Consultancy: Athenex + Polyphor; Advisory/Consultancy, Shareholder/Stockholder/Stock options: MedSIR; Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy: Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy: Servier; Honoraria (self), Advisory/Consultancy, Research grant/Funding (institution): Merck Sharp Dome; Advisory/Consultancy: GSK; Advisory/Consultancy: Leuko; Advisory/Consultancy: Bioasis; Advisory/Consultancy: Clovis Oncology; Advisory/Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Honoraria (self), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Novartis; Honoraria (self), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Eisai; Honoraria (self), Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Pfizer; Honoraria (self): Samsung Bioepis; Research grant/Funding (institution): Ariad Pharmaceuticals; Research grant/Funding (institution): Baxalta GMBH/Servier Affaires; Research grant/Funding (institution): Bayer Healthcare; Research grant/Funding (institution): F. Hoffmann-La Roche; Research grant/Funding (institution): Guardanth Health; Research grant/Funding (institution): Piqur THerapeutics; Research grant/Funding (institution): Puma C; Research grant/Funding (institution): Queen Mary University of London. E.M. Ciruelos: Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Roche; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Lilly; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory/Consultancy, Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Pfizer. H.S. Rugo: Research grant/Funding (institution): Eisai; Research grant/Funding (institution): Genentech; Research grant/Funding (institution): Lilly; Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: MacroGenics; Research grant/Funding (institution): Merck; Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Novartis; Research grant/Funding (institution): Obi Pharma; Research grant/Funding (institution): Odonate Therapeutics; Research grant/Funding (institution): Immunomedics; Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Daiichi-Sankyo; Research grant/Funding (institution), Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Pfizer; Advisory/Consultancy: Samsung; Advisory/Consultancy: Celtrion; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Mylan; Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: AstraZeneca. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.