Abstract 1705P
Background
Cancer patients are more susceptible to infections and potentially at higher risk to develop COVID-19. Tumor type and antitumor treatment may also affect both the susceptibility to and the severity of SARS COV-2.
Methods
To analyze the distribution of patients who developed COVID-19 during active antineoplastic therapy and the related clinical course by tumor type, stage and class of oncologic treatment (chemo, immune, biologic, other) a multicenter, retro-prospective, observational study was proposed to the Hospital Medical Oncologic Units of the National Health Service in Italy (168 centers of the Collegio Italiano dei Primari Oncologi Medici Ospedalieri -CIPOMO). Data were collected on demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment setting, type of ongoing anti-cancer therapy and COVID-19 clinical course (phenotype, hospitalization, therapy, duration and outcome). Eligibility required a positive COVID-19 molecular test before May 4th, 2020 and at least 1 course of antitumor therapy delivered after January 15th.
Results
At the present analysis data are available for 116 of 168 centers (7 declined, 28 pending, 17 data awaited). 64 of 116 centers (55%) had COVID-19 positive cases (cases /center: median 3, range 1-40). At these 64 centers, 283 positive cases (males 158, 55.9% - females 125, 44.1%; median age 67 years, range 28-89) were observed among a total population of 40894 patients receiving active treatment between January 15 and May 4 2020. 65 of 283 (23%) had cardiovascular comorbidities and 7 (2%) pre-existent pulmonary disease. 239/283 patients (84.4%) were receiving treatment for metastatic disease and 44 (15.6%) in the adjuvant setting. Breast, lung, colon and prostate cancer were the main tumor types accounting for 61 % of cases.
Conclusions
The occurrence of COVID-19 among cancer patients receiving active antitumor treatment appears to reflect tumor epidemiology. Full analysis of the distribution of COVID-19 occurrence and clinical course by tumor type, stage and oncologic treatment will be presented.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.