Severity and 1-month outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with solid cancers: a Danish nationwide cohort study

<p>Cancer patients are vulnerable to infections, are older and often have comorbidities in comparison to the general population, which increases the risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19 diagnosis.</p> <p>This study is a prospective, nationwide study in patients with solid cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection included between 10 March to 15 June 2020. Patient's baseline characteristics were collected. The study’s primary outcome was overall survival within 30 days of verified SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes were hospital admission, admission to an ICU, and need for supplemental oxygen.</p> <p>A total of 112 patients with a cancer diagnosis and verified SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. After one month of follow up, hospitalization was required for 54% (<i>n</i> = 61) and 21% of the patients had died and 14 of the 23 deceased cancer patients were ≥70 years. Most patients were classified with mild COVID-19 symptoms (66%, <i>n</i> = 74); however, 48% (<i>n</i> = 23) of the ≥70-year-olds patients were classified with severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms. Among the total study population, 61% (<i>n</i> = 68) had comorbidities and comorbidity were more frequently observed among the deceased (91%, <i>n</i> = 21) and older cancer patients (≥70 years, 81%, <i>n</i> = 39).</p> <p>Acknowledging the low sample size in this study, our work shows that age and comorbidities, but not recent cytotoxic therapy, are associated with adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer. Particularly, patients with progressive disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.Highlights</p><p>Age, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p><p>Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.</p><p>Recent cytotoxic therapy, however, did not seem to be associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer.</p><p></p> <p>Age, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p> <p>Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.</p> <p>Recent cytotoxic therapy, however, did not seem to be associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients with solid cancer.</p>