Outcomes of Cancer Patients with COVID-19 in a Hospital System in the Chicago Metropolitan Area

Simple Summary The spectrum of COVID-19 clinical presentation is wide and ranges from a mild flu-like illness to severe life-threatening respiratory illness with multiorgan involvement. The effects of the pandemic were particularly serious in patients with a history of malignancy, particularly those who are undergoing certain anti-cancer therapies. Our manuscript summarizes our experience with COVID-19 in our cancer program in Chicago, IL and investigates the different clinical and laboratory parameters that impact severity of outcomes and 30-day mortality in our cancer patients. Patients with a history of malignancy have been shown to be at an increased risk of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. Poorer clinical outcomes in that patient population are likely due to the underlying systemic illness, comorbidities, and the cytotoxic and immunosuppressive anti-tumor treatments they are subjected to. We identified 416 cancer patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection being managed for their malignancy at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois, between March and July of 2020. Seventy-five (18.0%) patients died due to COVID-related complications. Older age (>60), male gender, and current treatment with immunotherapy were associated with shorter overall survival. Laboratory findings showed that higher platelet counts, ALC, and hemoglobin were protective against critical illness and death from COVID-19. Conversely, elevated inflammatory markers such as ferritin, d-dimer, procalcitonin, CRP, and LDH led to worse clinical outcomes. Our findings suggest that a thorough clinical and laboratory assessment of infected patients with cancer might help identify a more vulnerable population and implement more aggressive proactive strategies.

Automated summary

COVID-19 has a serious impact on patients with a history of malignancy. Older age, male gender, and current immunotherapy treatment are associated with shorter survival. Higher platelet counts, ALC, and hemoglobin protect against critical illness and death, while elevated inflammatory markers lead to worse clinical outcomes.