Comorbidities and inflammation associated with ovarian cancer and its influence on SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Shama Prasada Kabekkodu
Satyajit Dey Pereira
Ritam Naha
Benjamin K Tsang
Meshach Asare-Warehene
Sima Chaudhari
Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
Journal: Journal of Ovarian Research (2021)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Hormones; Inflammation; Ovarian cancer; SARS-CoV-2; risk factor.
Affiliations: Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India., Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada., Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India. .

Abstract:  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) worldwide is a major public health concern. Cancer patients are considered a vulnerable population to SARS-CoV-2 infection and may develop several COVID-19 symptoms. The heightened immunocompromised state, prolonged chronic pro-inflammatory milieu coupled with comorbid conditions are shared in both disease conditions and may influence patient outcome. Although ovarian cancer (OC) and COVID-19 are diseases of entirely different primary organs, both diseases share similar molecular and cellular characteristics in their microenvironment suggesting a potential cooperativity leading to poor outcome. In COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations and deaths worldwide are lower in women than in males; however, comorbidities associated with OC may increase the COVID-19 risk in women. The women at the age of 50-60 years are at greater risk of developing OC as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection. Increased levels of gonadotropin and androgen, dysregulated renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), hyper-coagulation and chronic inflammation are common conditions observed among OC and severe cases of COVID-19. The upregulation of common inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), among others in the sera of COVID-19 and OC subjects suggests potentially similar mechanism(s) involved in the hyper-inflammatory condition observed in both disease states. Thus, it is conceivable that the pathogenesis of OC may significantly contribute to the potential infection by SARS-CoV-2. Our understanding of the influence and mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection on OC is at an early stage and in this article, we review the underlying pathogenesis presented by various comorbidities of OC and correlate their influence on SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 This is another speculative review by the last author. Again, the authors haven t done any epidemiological study to prove that ovarian cancer patients are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Circumstantial evidence does not make things happen. Please provide some data to prove your hypothesis and speculation. ,