Abstract 1722P
Background
Cancer patients (pts) are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection and death. Older pts, men and those with haematological malignancies and receiving anti-tumour therapy within 14 days appear to be at highest risk for poor outcomes. In general populations, severe COVID-19 infection has been associated with neutrophilia, raised lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Cancer and its treatment affect many haematological and biochemical parameters. We examined whether COVID-19 infection affected these compared to pts’ baseline parameters by longitudinal tracking. We also investigated whether changes were associated with poor outcome.
Methods
Consecutive pts with solid or haematological malignancies presenting with index symptoms and testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a tertiary oncology centre were identified following institutional board approval. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from the pt record. Paired T-tests were used for longitudinal sampling and ANOVA/Chi squared for outcomes.
Results
52 pts tested positive (27 male, 25 female; median age 63). 80.5% had solid cancers, and 19.5% haematological. 31/52 pts were lymphopenic prior to infection. Comparing mean pre-infection counts (6 months-14 days=PRE) with mean counts from the 5 days following positive test (DURING) lymphocyte counts significantly decreased during infection (p<0.0001). Platelets were significantly reduced DURING vs. PRE COVID-19 (p=0.0028). 17/52 pts developed transient (median 2 days) neutropenia (<2x109/L) DURING infection (6 pts <1x109/L, 2 pts <0.5x109/L), 8/17 attributed to cancer/cancer therapy, the rest had no underlying cause. 8/17 pts received growth factor support. Reduced lymphocytes/neutrophils/platelets at diagnosis were not associated with oxygen requirement (O2) or death. Different CRP trajectories were observed when comparing pts grouped by discharge/ O2/death. Higher CRP and LDH at diagnosis were associated with admission (p=0.02 CRP/0.2 LDH), O2 (p=0.0002 CRP/p<0.01 LDH) and death (p=0.069 CRP/p=0.04 LDH). Updated analysis will be presented.
Conclusions
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 commonly affects haematological parameters in cancer pts. High CRP and LDH are associated with poor outcomes.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
R. Lee: Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony, Research grant/Funding (self): Bristol Myers Squibb; Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Astra Zeneca. A. Armstrong: Shareholder/Stockholder/Stock options, Husband has shares: Astra Zeneca. T. Cooksley: Speaker Bureau/Expert testimony: Bristol Myers Squibb. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.