Abstract P44: Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients from Guy’s Cancer Center and King's College Hospital
Authors: Kieran Palmer, Rushan Sylva, Beth Russell, Charlotte Moss, Vallari Shah, Thinzar Ko Ko, Gincy George, Shahram Kordasti, Danielle Crawley, Harriet Wylie, Fidelma Cahill, Anna Haire, Kamarul Zaki, Ailsa Sita-Lumsden, Debra Josephs, Deborah Enting, Angela Swampillai, Elinor Sawyer, Mary Lei, Andrea D’Souza, Simon Gomberg, Paul Fields, David Wrench, Richard Sullivan, Anne Rigg, Austin Kulasekararaj, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Saoirse Dolly
Journal: Clinical Cancer Research (2021)

Abstract Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the treatment of cancer patients. Understanding the clinical course, potential risk factors for severe infection and excess mortality, is essential to improve patient outcomes. We previously presented preliminary results from 156 SARS-CoV-2 positive cancer patients from Guy’s Cancer Center, which suggested that increased COVID-19 mortality was associated with a diagnosis of cancer for over 2 years, Asian ethnicity and being on palliative treatment. Herein, we present an updated analysis using data from Guy’s Cancer Centre and a partner Hospital Trust (King’s College Hospital), with an increased number of patients and an extended follow up. Methods: We performed an analysis of all cancer patients who had a positive RT-PCR nasal/throat swab for SARS-CoV-2 infection at our Centers between 29th February and 31st July 2020. Associations between patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory investigations with COVID-19 severity and mortality, were assessed using Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results: 306 SARS-CoV-2 positive cancer patients were included in the analysis with a median follow up of 134 days (IQR 32-156). 184 (60%) were male and 217 (71%) were aged over 60 (mean age: 66). The most common malignancies were haematological (38%) and urological-gynaecological (20%). 218 (71%) had mild/moderate COVID-19 and 88 (29%) had severe disease. The overall COVID-related mortality rate was 24%; 19% in solid and 32% in haematological cancers. Male sex [OR: 1.84 (95%CI:1.08-3.13)], Asian ethnicity [3.86 (1.20-12.36)], haematological cancer type [2.16 (1.18-3.95)], being diagnosed with cancer for 2-5 years [3.74 (1.80-7.78)] or ≥5 years [3.06 (1.50-6.26)] and a ferritin &amp;gt; 1964 mcg/l [54.92 (5.90-511.33)] were all associated with a risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease. Similarly, male sex [HR:1.97 (95%CI:1.15-3.38)], Asian ethnicity [3.42 (1. 59-7.35)], haematological cancer type [2.03 (1.16-3.56)] as well as a cancer diagnosis for &amp;gt;2-5 years [2.81 (1.41-5.59)] or ≥5 years [2.13 (1.06-4.27)] and a ferritin &amp;gt; 1964 mcg/l [16.11 (3.81-68.17)] were associated with an increased risk of death from COVID-19. Age &amp;gt;60 [2.14 (1.15-3.98)] and a raised CRP [4.10 (1.66-10.10)] were also associated with COVID-19 death. An inverse relationship was observed between a raised albumin and COVID-19 related death [0.12 (0.03-0.51)]. Performance status and treatment paradigm were not associated with COVID-19 severity or mortality. Conclusions: This study further substantiates the evidence for an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection and mortality for male and Asian patients with cancer, and those with haematological malignancies or with a diagnosis of cancer for over 2 years. These risk factors should be taken into account when making clinical decisions for cancer patients during the pandemic. Citation Format: Kieran Palmer, Rushan Sylva, Beth Russell, Charlotte Moss, Vallari Shah, Thinzar Ko Ko, Gincy George, Shahram Kordasti, Danielle Crawley, Harriet Wylie, Fidelma Cahill, Anna Haire, Kamarul Zaki, Ailsa Sita-Lumsden, Debra Josephs, Deborah Enting, Angela Swampillai, Elinor Sawyer, Mary Lei, Andrea D’Souza, Simon Gomberg, Paul Fields, David Wrench, Richard Sullivan, Anne Rigg, Austin Kulasekararaj, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Saoirse Dolly. Factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients from Guy’s Cancer Center and King's College Hospital [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr P44.