COVID-19 in cancer patients: clinical characteristics and outcome-an analysis of the LEOSS registry

INTRODUCTION: Since the early SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cancer patients have been assumed to be at higher risk for severe COVID-19 Here, we present an analysis of cancer patients from the LEOSS (Lean European Open Survey on SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients) registry to determine whether cancer patients are at higher risk PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 435 cancer patients and 2636 non-cancer patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, enrolled between March 16 and August 31, 2020 Data on socio-demographics, comorbidities, cancer-related features and infection course were collected Age-, sex- and comorbidity-adjusted analysis was performed Primary endpoint was COVID-19-related mortality RESULTS: In total, 435 cancer patients were included in our analysis Commonest age category was 76-85 years (36 5%), and 40 5% were female Solid tumors were seen in 59% and lymphoma and leukemia in 17 5% and 11% of patients Of these, 54% had an active malignancy, and 22% had recently received anti-cancer treatments At detection of SARS-CoV-2, the majority (62 5%) presented with mild symptoms Progression to severe COVID-19 was seen in 55% and ICU admission in 27 5% COVID-19-related mortality rate was 22 5% Male sex, advanced age, and active malignancy were associated with higher death rates Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, age distribution and comorbidity differed significantly, as did mortality (14% vs 22 5%, p value < 0 001) After adjustments for other risk factors, mortality was comparable CONCLUSION: Comparing cancer and non-cancer patients, outcome of COVID-19 was comparable after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidity However, our results emphasize that cancer patients as a group are at higher risk due to advanced age and pre-existing conditions