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

BACKGROUND: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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% (n = 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%, n = 74); however, 48% (n = 23) of the ≥70-year-olds patients were classified with severe or critical COVID-19 symptoms. Among the total study population, 61% (n = 68) had comorbidities and comorbidity were more frequently observed among the deceased (91%, n = 21) and older cancer patients (≥70 years, 81%, n = 39).

CONCLUSIONS: 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.HighlightsAge, performance status, and comorbidities are strong predictors of adverse outcome in cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.Patients with progressive cancer disease seem to be at greater risk of a fatal outcome from COVID-19.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.