COVID-19 and cancer registries: learning from the first peak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in 2020 has caused oncology teams around the world to adapt their practice in the aim of protecting patients. Early evidence from China indicated that patients with cancer, and particularly those who had recently received chemotherapy or surgery, were at increased risk of adverse outcomes following SARS-Cov-2 infection. Many registries of cancer patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 emerged during the first wave. We collate the evidence from these national and international studies and focus on the risk factors for patients with solid cancers and the contribution of systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT-chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted and hormone therapy) to outcomes following SARS-Cov-2 infection. Patients with cancer infected with SARS-Cov-2 have a higher probability of death compared with patients without cancer. Common risk factors for mortality following COVID-19 include age, male sex, smoking history, number of comorbidities and poor performance status. Oncological features that may predict for worse outcomes include tumour stage, disease trajectory and lung cancer. Most studies did not identify an association between SACT and adverse outcomes. Recent data suggest that the timing of receipt of SACT may be associated with risk of mortality. Ongoing recruitment to these registries will enable us to provide evidence-based care.

Automated summary

The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in 2020 led oncology teams worldwide to adjust their practices to protect patients, with cancer patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 having a higher probability of death compared to non-cancer patients. Common risk factors for mortality after COVID-19 include age, gender, smoking history, number of comorbidities, and poor performance status, while oncological features such as tumor stage, disease trajectory, and lung cancer may predict worse outcomes. Most studies did not find an association between systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT) and adverse outcomes, but recent data suggest that the timing of SACT receipt may be linked to mortality risk. Ongoing recruitment to registries will help provide evidence-based care.