Chemotherapy and COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients with Cancer

  • Justin Jee
  • , Michael B. Foote
  • , Melissa Lumish
  • , Aaron J. Stonestrom
  • , Beatriz Wills
  • , Varun Narendra
  • , Viswatej Avutu
  • , Yonina R. Murciano-Goroff
  • , Jason E. Chan
  • , Andriy Derkach
  • , John Philip
  • , Rimma Belenkaya
  • , Marina Kerpelev
  • , Molly Maloy
  • , Adam Watson
  • , Chris Fong
  • , Yelena Janjigian
  • , Luis A. Diaz
  • , Kelly L. Bolton
  • , Melissa S. Pessin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

211 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) mortality is higher in patients with cancer than in the general population, yet the cancer-associated risk factors for COVID-19 adverse outcomes are not fully characterized. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed clinical characteristics and outcomes from patients with cancer and concurrent COVID-19 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center until March 31, 2020 (n 5 309), and observed clinical end points until April 13, 2020. We hypothesized that cytotoxic chemotherapy administered within 35 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis is associated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) of severe or critical COVID-19. In secondary analyses, we estimated associations between specific clinical and laboratory variables and the incidence of a severe or critical COVID-19 event. RESULTS Cytotoxic chemotherapy administration was not significantly associated with a severe or critical COVID-19 event (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.60). Hematologic malignancy was associated with increased COVID-19 severity (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.30 to 2.80). Patients with lung cancer also demonstrated higher rates of severe or critical COVID-19 events (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.20 to 3.30). Lymphopenia at COVID-19 diagnosis was associated with higher rates of severe or critical illness (HR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.10). Patients with baseline neutropenia 14-90 days before COVID-19 diagnosis had worse outcomes (HR, 4.20; 95% CI, 1.70 to 11.00). Findings from these analyses remained consistent in a multivariable model and in multiple sensitivity analyses. The rate of adverse events was lower in a time-matched population of patients with cancer without COVID-19. CONCLUSION Recent cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment was not associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes. Patients with active hematologic or lung malignancies, peri–COVID-19 lymphopenia, or baseline neutropenia had worse COVID-19 outcomes. Interactions among antineoplastic therapy, cancer type, and COVID-19 are complex and warrant further investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3538-3546
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume38
Issue number30
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 20 2020

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