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Review
. 2022 Feb;12(2):303-330.
doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-21-1368. Epub 2021 Dec 10.

Learning through a Pandemic: The Current State of Knowledge on COVID-19 and Cancer

Arielle Elkrief  1 , Julie T Wu  2 , Chinmay Jani  3 , Kyle T Enriquez  4 , Michael Glover  2 , Mansi R Shah  5 , Hira Ghazal Shaikh  6 , Alicia Beeghly-Fadiel  7 , Benjamin French  7 , Sachin R Jhawar  8 , Douglas B Johnson  7 , Rana R McKay  9 , Donna R Rivera  10 , Daniel Y Reuben  11 , Surbhi Shah  12 , Stacey L Tinianov  13 , Donald Cuong Vinh  14 , Sanjay Mishra  7 , Jeremy L Warner  15   16
Affiliations
Review

Learning through a Pandemic: The Current State of Knowledge on COVID-19 and Cancer

Arielle Elkrief et al. Cancer Discov. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left patients with current or past history of cancer facing disparate consequences at every stage of the cancer trajectory. This comprehensive review offers a landscape analysis of the current state of the literature on COVID-19 and cancer, including the immune response to COVID-19, risk factors for severe disease, and impact of anticancer therapies. We also review the latest data on treatment of COVID-19 and vaccination safety and efficacy in patients with cancer, as well as the impact of the pandemic on cancer care, including the urgent need for rapid evidence generation and real-world study designs. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with cancer have faced severe consequences at every stage of the cancer journey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive review offers a landscape analysis of the current state of the field regarding COVID-19 and cancer. We cover the immune response, risk factors for severe disease, and implications for vaccination in patients with cancer, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care delivery. Overall, this review provides an in-depth summary of the key issues facing patients with cancer during this unprecedented health crisis.

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Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Biological framework for understanding the immune response to COVID-19 in patients with cancer.
Step 1: Infection of the upper respiratory tract’s epithelial cells Step 2: Viral replication occurs in the lower airways and alveoli ACE-2: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme S-protein: Spike protein COV: SARS-CoV-2 ECOG: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ICI: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor IFN-I: Type-I Interferon response IFN-II: Type-II Interferon response VTE: Venous Thromboembolism
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Summary of evidence for COVID-19 treatment in patients with cancer.
This is a synthesis of much of the available evidence but should not be taken as a guideline or endorsement of a particular clinical strategy. CDC: Center for Disease Control and prevention, WHO: World Health Organization, NICE: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. ISTH: International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. VTE: Venous thromboembolism. LMWH: Low molecular weight heparin. UH: Unfractionated heparin. DOAC: Direct oral anticoagulant.
Figure 3:
Figure 3:
Perspectives from a cancer survivor and patient advocate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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