Determinants of enhanced vulnerability to COVID-19 in UK cancer patients: a European Study
This retrospective analysis found UK cancer patients had higher case fatality rates at 30 days after Covid-19 diagnosis than those in Europe (40.38% v 26.5%; p<0.0001); this difference persisted at 6 months (47.64% v 33.33%; p<0.0001).
Source:
European Journal of Cancer
SPS commentary:
The authors also reported that UK patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were less likely to be receiving either COVID-19-specific therapies (eg, corticosteroids or antiviral drugs) or to have received active anti-cancer treatment within the previous 4 weeks, compared with those in Europe. In multivariable analyses, exposure to any COVID-19 treatment was associated with a reduced risk of death at both 30 days and at 6 months, whereas receipt of anticancer therapy exerted a protective effect on the risk of death at the 6-month time-point only.
They acknowledge the limitations of the retrospective study, and that the analyses “cannot account for all the variety in cancer patients registered into the study in Europe and the UK.” They go on to note the results “could be considered as a first important indicator for the urgent need of further evaluations of cancer care in the pandemic.” They stress the importance of prioritising high-risk groups for vaccination and of giving anti-Covid-19 therapy to infected patients with cancer.