CDC Adds Cancer to List of Underlying Diseases That May Cause Severe COVID-19

Following the latest updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the underlying underlying that could lead to more severe cases of the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) if virus exposure occurs Cancer was added to the list of common medical conditions. While there are still limited data on the impact of such conditions on disease severity, the CDC updated its list in light of recent information on COVID-19.¹

Although cancer has been pointed out to increase the risk of severe COVID-19, it is currently unknown whether a history of cancer is an important risk factor. In addition, because chemotherapy and other tumor therapies can weaken the patient’s immune system and increase the risk of infection, the CDC is working with health care providers to work with patients on individual risk levels. Suggest to discuss. Consideration of community status, treatment, and number of COVID-19 cases.

From there, the health care provider can determine if a treatment is needed, but the CDC advises that lifesaving and emergency care delays do not occur. The CDC also recommends keeping patients on medication for 30 days to limit the risk of exposure. Finally, it is recommended that patients contact their health care provider if they have any concerns about their condition or treatment, or if they have reason to believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.

Many healthcare professionals are pivoting in light of these concerns and are working to create new strategies for patient care COVID-19 age.. Cancer screening, clinical research, and even non-emergency care are confusing at a global level and increasing use of telemedicine. In adapting to this safe, but perhaps less effective, standard of care, some healthcare professionals recommend switching from intravenous etoposide to oral etoposide for patients with lung cancer. In addition to other treatment options, shorter treatment periods, longer treatment intervals, and lower treatment frequency can be considered.

This more conservative treatment strategy has been corroborated by recent studies, one of which recently revealed that giving chemotherapy within 3 months of COVID-19 diagnosis increases the risk of chemotherapy. COVID-19 related mortality Breast cancer patient. An analysis examining the deaths of 141 patients with both COVID-19 and cancer found that 45% of those who died received chemotherapy within 3 months of diagnosis.² The majority (79.4%) were reported to have died of COVID-19 infection, and 10.6% had cancer deaths.

While some treatments are currently recommended to be avoided to ensure patient safety, other treatments are considered a safer approach and do not aggravate COVID-19 symptoms. The results of the recent multicenter study presented at the 2020 AACR Virtual Conference on COVID-19 and Cancer No immunotherapy was shown Increases mortality in both COVID-19 and cancer patients. The data showed that patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors had a mortality rate of 8%. Mortality in the general cancer population is 7.6% to 12%.^Three Nine of the 113 patients in the study’s mortality outcome assessment died after treatment with immunotherapy. However, no deaths were directly attributable to the use of checkpoint inhibitors.

At this time, it is important for healthcare professionals and patients to consider this new information and adapt their treatment strategies to further reduce the risk of exposure or risking the patient’s immune system. Educating patients about the risk of infection, creating a custom treatment plan, and potentially suspending treatment that can increase COVID-19-related mortality are all worth considering.

References

1. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. People of all ages with underlying illness. Revised July 17, 2020. Accessed on July 20, 2020. ..
2. Horn L, Whisenant JG, Torri V and more. TERAVOLT Consortium Investigators. Breast Cancer International COVID-19 Collaboration (TERAVOLT): Types of Cancer Treatment and Impact of COVID Treatment on Survival. J Clean Oncol.. 2020; 38 (suppl; abstr LBA111). doi: 10.1200 / JCO.2020.38.15_suppl.LBA111
3. Clinical Features and Outcomes of Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) in Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI), including Rogiers A, Tondini C, Grimes JM Presentation: 2020 AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 And Cancer; July 20-23, 2020. virtual.