Some cancer treatments can increase your risk of death from COVID-19

According to a new study, anti-cancer treatments may impact outcomes for patients with both cancer and COVID-19. Read on to know more.

By: Jahnavi Sarma | | Published: September 22, 2020 11:06 am

Treatment for cancer, within four weeks of (the diagnosis of) COVID -19, was suggested to be associated with higher rates of complications, but less is known about treatment before or after that time frame.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have constantly warned about the risks faced by people with underlying health conditions and chronic ailments. People with diabetes, heart disease and hypertension face a higher risk of severe complications. The same is true for cancer patients too. Even the treatments they undergo may have an adverse effect on the outcome of COVID-19 infection. A team of US researchers from the Division of Hematology Oncology at the UC College of Medicine has found that certain treatments for cancer may increase the chance of death if they contract COVID-19. The study by the researchers at the University of Cincinnati, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Congress 2020, shed light on ways standard anti-cancer treatments may impact outcomes for patients with both cancer and the coronavirus. Also Read - Akshay Kumar, Piyush Mishra, Sonam Kapoor and more Bollywood celebs who opened up on facing sexual abuse in childhood

Risk of hospitalization goes up by almost 40 per cent

According to them, patients with cancer are susceptible to infection from COVID -19 and subsequent complications. They experience higher rates of hospitalisation, up to 40 per cent, severe respiratory illness and death. Treatment for cancer, within four weeks of (the diagnosis of) COVID -19, was suggested to be associated with higher rates of complications, but less is known about treatment before or after that time frame. In a previous study from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium, with a smaller group of patients, the team found that several factors increased the chance of death including age, sex, history of smoking and other health conditions, including active cancer. Also Read - Test Article 2 Covid 19 3rd wave

Timing of anti-cancer treatment makes a difference

However, recent cancer treatment was not associated with poor outcomes in the smaller cohort. Now, researchers investigating the correlation between timing of anti-cancer treatment and COVID -19 related complications as well as death in 30 days of a larger number of patients — over 3,000. Of the 3,600 patients analyzed from 122 institutions across the country, the team found that 30-day mortality was highest among the cancer patients treated one to three months prior to COVID -19 diagnosis and was highest for those treated with a chemotherapy/immunotherapy combination. Also Read - COVID-19 Live Updates: Cases in India surge to 10,757,610 while death toll reaches 1,54,392 12d

Death was especially high in those receiving anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, which are normally used to deplete abnormal B cells common for certain lymphomas, one to three months prior to COVID -19 infection — a time period for which significant B-cell depletion develops. Death was higher for those undergoing active cancer treatments, except for endocrine therapy, when compared to patients untreated within a year prior to COVID -19 diagnosis.

Targeted therapies ups death risk by almost 50 per cent

Targeted therapies, especially those causing immune cell depletion, used one to three months before (the diagnosis of) COVID -19, are associated with very high mortality, up to 50 per cent. Also, death from any condition or reason in patients with cancer is higher than the general population, including those who have been in remission and have not received treatment in the last year. The authors said that more research is needed on this topic as they continue to investigate the effect of the pandemic on this group of patients.

(With inputs from IANS)

Published : September 22, 2020 11:06 am

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