AIMS:First-line atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel for patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer and programmed death-ligand expression ≥1% prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Toxicities may impact upon quality of life, resulting in treatment discontinuation. This National Service Evaluation aimed to assess safety and efficacy in a "real-world" dataset. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Data from patients treated between March 9, 2019, and March 9, 2022, across 10 UK cancer centres were analysed. Toxicities were recorded conforming to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 scoring system. Local approval and data sharing agreements were gained. Kaplan-Meier curves for PFS and OS were calculated. RESULTS:One hundred twenty-nine patients with median age of 55.0 were eligible; 21.7% had de novo metastatic disease and 76.7% received prior neo-/adjuvant treatment. Overall, 85.3% had an adverse event with 7% leading to treatment withdrawal. Of all, 21.7% of patients had grade 3 or 4 AEs, notably decreased neutrophil count (10.1%), pyrexia (2.3%), alanine aminotransferase rise (2.3%), colitis (2.3%), and hepatitis (2.3%). The median PFS was 5 months (95% CI: 1.0, 6.0) and OS was 14 months (95% CI: 3.0, 17.0). CONCLUSION:Atezolizumab/nab-paclitaxel toxicity was comparable to the literature; however, PFS and OS were shorter and a higher number of grade ≥3 colitis and hepatitis were noticed.
Abstract BACKGROUND Within the United Kingdom (UK), combination chemo-immunotherapy with Atezolizumab and nab-Paclitaxel is National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved as a first line palliative systemic treatment option for patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer (aTNBC) with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ≥1%. Trials demonstrated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits. Treatment-related toxicities may impact on quality of life and result in treatment delay or discontinuation. We conducted a National Service Evaluation (SE) to assess the safety and efficacy in a “real-world” dataset. METHODS Data from patients with aTNBC who received Atezolizumab/nab-Paclitaxel between 9th March 2019 and 2022 across 10 UK Cancer Centres were analysed. All grade 1-4 toxicities were recorded in accordance with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 scoring system. Participation was contingent on local approval for this project, and data transferred following receipt of a data sharing agreement. Kaplan-Meier curves for PFS and OS were calculated. RESULTS 129 patients were included in the analysis with a median age of 55 (30-82). 42.6% (n=55) had a PS of 0, 51.2% (n=66) a PS of 1 and 3.9% (n=5) had a PS of 2. Atezolizumab/nab-Paclitaxel was given in the first line setting in most patients (84.5%, n= 109), but in 15.5% (n=20) in the second line setting (privately insured). 21.7% (n=28) of patients presented with de novo metastatic disease, 58.1% (n=75) of patients were post-menopausal and 6.2% (n=8) had a BRCA1 or 2 mutation. 76.7% of patients (n=99) had previous neo-/adjuvant treatment in the non-metastatic setting: 55.8% had prior treatment with a taxane, 51.2% anthracycline, 22.5% platinum, and 66.7% had prior radiotherapy. 83.7% (n= 108) had invasive ductal breast cancer, and 84.5% (n=109) presented with 0-3 number of metastatic sites with 15.5% (n=20) having ≥ 4 metastatic sites. Here, the nodal metastatic site dominated in 78.3% of patients. Grade ≥ 3 events occurred in 21.7% (n=28) of patients. These were decreased neutrophil count (10.1%, n=13), pyrexia (2.3%, n=3), diarrhoea (1.6%, n=2), hypothyroidism (1.6%, n=2), peripheral neuropathy (1.6%, n=2), anaemia (1.6%, n=2), GGT rise (0.8%, n=1), fatigue (0.8%, n=1), hypophysitis (0.8%, n=1), pneumonitis (0.8%, n=1), nausea (0.8%, n=1), mucositis (0.8%, n=1), platelet count decreased (0.8%, n=1), infections (0.8%, n=1). Increased rates of Grade ≥ 3 colitis (2.3%, n=3) and hepatitis (3%, n=2.3) were observed. 20.2% (n=26) of patients required steroids to treat toxicities. Reason for treatment discontinuation included in 58.1% (n=75) disease progression, and 7.8% (n=10) unacceptable toxicity. In 22.5% of patients’ treatment was still ongoing at time of data lock. At approximately 12 weeks, 7.8% of patients had a complete and 51.2% a partial response, 10.1% had stable and 22.5% progressive disease and for 8.5% the response was not known as they have not yet reached 12 weeks since treatment start. Median PFS was 5 months and OS was 14 months. CONCLUSIONS The toxicity profile of Atezolizumab/nab-Paclitaxel was comparable to literature, however, both PFS and OS were shorter. In comparison to the IMpassion130 trial data, patients within this national SE project were less fit and more heavily pre-treated. A higher number of any grade hyperthyroidism and fatigue, and of grade ≥ 3 colitis and hepatitis were noticed. Baseline patient characteristics XX- XX Citation Format: Jasmin V Waterhouse, Alexandra Holdich, Florentia Mina, Mariam Obeid, Kroopa Joshi, Sophie Barrett, Lavarniya Rajakumar, Gemma McCormick, Sally Seymour, Panagiotis Koliou, Rushan Sylva, Olubukola Ayodele, Ashram Gautam, Jenny Smith, Jenny McKeon, Thomas Strawson-Smith, Rosalie Douglas, Annabel Borley, Apostolos Konstantis, Sophie McGrath. Safety and efficacy of Atezolizumab in combination with nab-Paclitaxel in patients with PD-L1 positive metastatic or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer: A pan-UK cancer centre experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-17-12.
Combination chemo-immunotherapy is the first-line standard of care (SOC) treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for many years. This showed proven survival benefits within trial and real-world settings. However, it is common practice to offer novel clinical trials to appropriately suitable patients in the first-line setting. Currently, there is no robust data to guide whether trial or SOC treatments perform better in this patient cohort. We analysed survival efficacy of trial versus SOC treatments in these patients.
1024 Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (TDXd), an antibody drug conjugate, was first approved in the UK for the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in 2021. We aimed to review the efficacy and tolerability of TDXd in a real-world UK setting. Methods: We collected clinical and demographic data from medical records on HER2+ mBC patients treated with TDXd in the UK from Jan 2021 to Dec 2023 inclusive. This included: radiological response, the frequency of dose reductions and treatment delays, and reasons for discontinuation. Clinical trial patients were excluded. Descriptive statistical techniques were applied. Results: Data was collected from 26 UK cancer centres on 280 patients. The median age at TDXd initiation was 56 years (range 29-85). Median treatment duration was 9 cycles (range 1-40). 239 patients (85%) had visceral disease. 257 and 196 patients (92% and 70%, respectively) had received prior Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab, respectively. 233 patients (83%) had received prior TDM1. The median number of lines of treatment prior to TDXd was 3 (range 1 to 9). 20 patients (7%) were initiated on a reduced dose and 115 further patients (41%) required at least one dose reduction. 151 patients (54%) had at least one dose interruption due to: infection or neutropenia (n=61), other toxicity (n=85), interstitial lung disease (ILD) investigation (n=39), patient request (n=81), other concurrent illness (n=10), and cardiac investigation (n=6). Of these, 55 patients had more than one treatment break. 157 patients (56%) had discontinued TDXd treatment due to: disease progression or death (n=100), drug toxicity (n=39) of which 22 were due to ILD, and patient choice (n=8). 123 patients remained treatment at the time of analysis. The overall response rate of TDXd was 63% overall: stable disease 23%, partial response 56%, complete response 7%. Conclusions: The real-world data set is not directly comparable to either the DB02 or DB03 trials, as it included patients who had received TDXd in both the second line and later line settings. However, the majority (80%) of these patients were treated in the third line and beyond. The rates of drug interruption and reduction were higher in the real-world data set than in DB02, which may impact on efficacy in the real-world setting. Overall response rate is similar between trial data and our real-world data, although the latter was not measured by RECIST. Data collection is ongoing, including an analysis of real-world progression free survival. [Table: see text]
Background It is widely accepted that advancing age is associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. However, there is insufficient data analyzing the impact of COVID-19 in the older cancer population. The aim of the study is to establish if age has an influence on severity and mortality of COVID-19 in cancer patients. Methods We reviewed 306 oncology patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 from Guy's Cancer Centre and its partner Trust King's College Hospital, between 29 February - 31 July 2020. Demographic and tumor characteristics in relation to COVID-19 severity and death were assessed with logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models, stratified by age (≤65 and >65 years). Severity of COVID-19 was classified by World Health Organization (WHO) grading. Results A total of 135 patients were aged ≤65 years (44%) and 171 aged >65 (56%). Severe COVID-19 presentation was seen in 27% of those aged ≤65 and 30% of those aged >65. The COVID-19 mortality rate was 19% in those aged ≤65 and 27% in those aged >65. In the older cohort, there was an increased incidence of severe disease in Caucasian ethnicity compared to the younger cohort (55% vs 43%) and compared to severe disease in Black and Asian ethnicities. There were increased co-morbidities in the older cohort including hypertension (54% vs 32%), diabetes (30% vs 12%) with increased rate of poly-pharmacy (62% vs 40%) compared to the younger cohort. In terms of cancer characteristics in the older cohort, there was a higher rate of patients with cancer for more than 2 years (53% vs 32%) and performance status of 3 (22% vs 6%). In terms of severity, Asian ethnicity [OR: 3.1 (95% CI: 0.88-10.96) p=0.64] had greater association with increasing COVID-19 severity in those aged >65. Interestingly, there were no positive associations between number of co-morbidities, treatment paradigm or performance status with severity of disease in the older group. The risk of mortality was greater in the elderly cohort with hematological cancer types [HR: 2.69 (1.31-5.53) p=0.85] and having cancer for more than 2 years [2.20 (1.09-4.42) p=0.28] compared to the younger cohort. Conclusions In our study we demonstrate that severity and mortality of COVID-19 did not significantly differ between the two age cohorts except in regards to Asian ethnicity, hematological malignancies and having cancer for more than 2 years. As expected, the older population had more co-morbidities and polypharmacy. Despite this, the incidence of severe COVID-19 was similar regardless of age. Further analyses for other geriatric presentations are ongoing to understand their interaction with COVID-19 in the cancer population.
Abstract Introduction: Cancer patients have been considered a high-risk population in the COVID-19 pandemic. We previously investigated risk of COVID-19 death in COVID-19 positive cancer patients during a median follow-up of 134 days, and identified the following risk factors: male sex, age >60 years, Asian ethnicity, hematological cancer type, cancer diagnosis for >2.5 years, patients presenting with fever or dyspnea, and high levels of ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Here, we further investigate which factors are associated with a COVID-19 related death within 7 days of diagnosis. Methods: Using data from Guy’s Cancer Centre and one of its partner trusts (King’s College Hospital), we included 306 cancer patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (February 29th-July 31st 2020). 72 patients had a COVID-19 related death (24%) of whom 35 died within 7 days (50%). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify which factors were associated with a COVID-19 related death <7 days of diagnosis. Results: Of the 72 cancer patients who had a COVID-19 related death, the mean age was 72 years (Standard Deviation (SD) 14). A total of 53 (74%) patients were men. 37 (52%) had a hematological cancer type, 47 (65%) had stage IV cancer, and 42 (58%) had been diagnosed with cancer more than 24 months before COVID-19 related death. In the group of patients who died within 7 days of diagnosis (n= 35), mean age was 73 years (SD 13.96), 24 (68%) were men, 20 (57%) had a hematological cancer type, 26 (74%) had stage IV cancer, and 24 (68%) had been diagnosed with cancer >24 months before COVID-19 diagnosis. Factors associated with COVID-19 related death <7 days of diagnosis were: hematological cancer (Hazard Ratio (HR): 2.74 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.21-6.22)), 2-5 yrs since cancer diagnosis (HR: 4.81 (95%CI: 1.47-15.69)), and >5 yrs since cancer diagnosis (HR: 4.41 (95%CI: 1.38-14.06)). Additionally, patients who presented with dyspnea had increased risk of COVID-19 related death <7 days compared to asymptomatic patients (HR: 5.25 (95%CI 2.14-12.89)). CRP levels in the third tercile (146-528 mg/L) as compared to the first were also associated with increased risk of an early death due to COVID-19. Conclusion: From all the factors identified in our previous COVID-19 related death analysis, only hematological cancer type, a longer-established cancer diagnosis (2-5 years and more than 5 years), dyspnea at time of diagnosis and high levels of CRP were indicative of an early COVID-19 related death (within 7 days of diagnosis) in cancer patients. Citation Format: Maria J. Monroy-Iglesias, Beth Russell, Charlotte Moss, Gincy George, Kieran Palmer, Sophie Papa, Sheeba Irshad, Paul Ross, James Spicer, Sharam Kordasti, Danielle Crawley, Harriet Wylie, Fidelma Cahill, Anna Haire, Rushan Sylva, Kamarul Zaki, Fareen Rahman, Ailsa Sita-Lumsden, Debra Josephs, Deborah Enting, Mary Lei, Sharmistha Ghosh, Claire Harrison, Angela Swampillai, Elinor Sawyer, Andrea D'Souza, Simon Gomberg, Paul Fields, David Wrench, Kavita Raj, Mary Gleeson, Kate Bailey, Richard Dillon, Matthew Streetly, Austin Kulasekararaj, Thinzar Ko Ko, Vallari Shah, Anne Rigg, Richard Sullivan, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Saoirse Dolly. Clinical and demographic characteristics associated with shorter time to COVID-19 death [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 S12-03.
Background Using an updated dataset with more patients and extended follow-up, we further established cancer patient characteristics associated with COVID-19 death. Methods Data on all cancer patients with a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) at Guy’s Cancer Centre and King’s College Hospital between 29 February and 31 July 2020 was used. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify which factors were associated with COVID-19 mortality. Results Three hundred and six SARS-CoV-2-positive cancer patients were included. Seventy-one had mild/moderate and 29% had severe COVID-19. Seventy-two patients died of COVID-19 (24%), of whom 35 died <7 days. Male sex [hazard ratio (HR): 1.97 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.15–3.38)], Asian ethnicity [3.42 (1. 59–7.35)], haematological cancer [2.03 (1.16–3.56)] and a cancer diagnosis for >2–5 years [2.81 (1.41–5.59)] or ≥5 years were associated with an increased mortality. Age >60 years and raised C-reactive protein (CRP) were also associated with COVID-19 death. Haematological cancer, a longer-established cancer diagnosis, dyspnoea at diagnosis and raised CRP were indicative of early COVID-19-related death in cancer patients (<7 days from diagnosis). Conclusions Findings further substantiate evidence for increased risk of COVID-19 mortality for male and Asian cancer patients, and those with haematological malignancies or a cancer diagnosis >2 years. These factors should be accounted for when making clinical decisions for cancer patients.
Very few studies investigating COVID-19 in cancer patients have included cancer patients as controls. We aimed to identify factors associated with the risk of testing positive for SARS CoV2 infection in a cohort of cancer patients. We analyzed data from all cancer patients swabbed for COVID-19 between 1st March and 31st July 2020 at Guy’s Cancer Centre. We conducted logistic regression analyses to identify which factors were associated with a positive COVID-19 test. Results: Of the 2152 patients tested for COVID-19, 190 (9%) tested positive. Male sex, black ethnicity, and hematological cancer type were positively associated with risk of COVID-19 (OR = 1.85, 95%CI:1.37–2.51; OR = 1.93, 95%CI:1.31–2.84; OR = 2.29, 95%CI:1.45–3.62, respectively) as compared to females, white ethnicity, or solid cancer type, respectively. Male, Asian ethnicity, and hematological cancer type were associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 (OR = 3.12, 95%CI:1.58–6.14; OR = 2.97, 95%CI:1.00–8.93; OR = 2.43, 95%CI:1.00–5.90, respectively). This study is one of the first to compare the risk of COVID-19 incidence and severity in cancer patients when including cancer patients as controls. Results from this study have echoed those of previous reports, that patients who are male, of black or Asian ethnicity, or with a hematological malignancy are at an increased risk of COVID-19.
e18797 Background: The COVID-19 pandemic was declared in the UK in February 2020, impacting significantly on healthcare. Delivery of systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) rapidly adapted to minimize patient exposure to SARS-CoV-2. The risks of SACT and concomitant COVID-19 infection are unknown. Here we report the patient/tumour characteristics of pts with any GYN cancer undergoing SACT during the first wave to understand risks of SACT and establish clinical guidelines for safe management in the ongoing SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics of GYN cancer pts receiving at least one SACT between 1st March- 31st May 2020 (first wave COVID-19) were compared to the same three month timeframe in 2019. SARS-CoV2 infection was defined as a positive RT-PCR test for COVID-19. Pts with symptoms or radiological changes alone were not considered SARS-COV2 positive. As part of the Guy’s Cancer Cohort we collected information on age, ethnicity, performance status (PS), cancer type, stage (Stg), treatment (SACT, surgery, radiotherapy) and COVID-19 infection. Results: There were no COVID-19 related deaths. 1 pt (0.5%) had SACT delay due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall mortality at 6 months in each timeframe was 6.9% in 2020 and 8.1% in 2019. In the comparative 3-month intervals, similar numbers of GYN cancer pts received SACT in 2020 compared to 2019: 170 patients (126 ovarian; 44 non-ovarian) in 2020, 184 (131 ovarian; 53 non-ovarian) in 2019. Median age was 61y in both groups and BAME ethnicity was balanced. In 2020, more pts had Stg III/IV disease (93%) than 2019 (84%) and fewer had Stg I/II disease (7%) compared to 2019 (16%). PS was: 0-1 in 92% of patients in 2020 vs 85% in 2019. The average number of cycles of SACT delivered in each time frame was 3. In 2020 9% received neoadjuvant SACT of which 69% proceeded to planned surgery and 31% were deemed unfit. Comparatively, in 2019 7% received neoadjuvant SACT of whom 75% proceeded to surgery and 25% were deemed unfit. In 2020, 3 pt received chemoradiation compared to 8 in 2019. 40 of 170 pts (24%) had 1-5 week treatment delays in 2020 due to any aetiology with. In 2019 there were treatment delays in 63 of 184 pts (34%). The use of GCSF in support of all SACT regimens was 52% in 2020 vs 11% in 2019. Conclusions: There was no increase in mortality associated with SACT during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in GYN cancer pts. 0.5% of pts had confirmed SARS-COV2 infection. We were able to maintain full SACT delivery for all GYN cancer pts with average cycle number unchanged between 2019 and 2020. There was no significant reduction in surgical debulking rates. In contrast, there was a reduction in GYN cancer pts receiving chemoradiation. More pts presented with Stg III/IV disease in 2020. Increased use of GSCF may have contributed to the reduced chemotherapy delays in 2020. Further research will explore the impact of vaccination.
Abstract Background: To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on National Health Services (NHS) cancer service delivery, care and patients, we examined the impact of changes in cancer service delivery, treatment intensity and delay by evaluating oncological outcomes of genitourinary (GU) cancer patients receiving systemic anticancer treatment (SACT) during 1st March and 8th July 2020. Methods: We used data from patients with GU cancers (i.e. prostate, urothelial, kidney and testicular) treated with SACT at Guy’s Cancer Centre during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: demographics (sex, age, ethnicity, ECOG performance status (PS), comorbidities, smoking history, socio-economic status (SES)) and disease characteristics (stage, treatment type and setting, lines of treatment), as well as results from SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing. Classification of COVID-19 severity was based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Results: A total of 457 GU cancer patients received SACT during the study period: 68% prostate cancer, 23% renal cancer, 7% urothelial cancer, 2% testicular cancer. Mean age was 69 years (SD: 11.2). 91% were males, 82% were classified as low SES and out of the 291 patients we had ethnicity data on 199 (68%) were White British. The majority of patients had a PS of 1 and 95% of all patients had stage IV disease and hence received palliative SACT, with 58% being in the second line setting. Half of the patients received hormone therapy, 17% received chemotherapy, 20% received targeted therapy, 13% received immunotherapy (IO) and 1% received combination IO and targeted treatment. Only 5 (1%) patients tested SARS-CoV-2 positive: 2 had prostate cancer, 2 renal and 1 bladder cancer. Mean age was 66 years (SD: 5.6). They were all male, 2 White British, 1 Black African and 2 of unknown ethnicity and were all classified as low SES. Average PS was 2. Of these 5 patients 3 had at least two comorbidities (i.ehypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, frailty) and were receiving multiple medications. All had stage IV disease and received palliative SACT. 3 were on hormone therapy alone and 2 on chemotherapy. 2 of the patients presented symptoms within less than 7 days from PCR diagnosis, 1 within 7 to 14 days and 1 after 14 days. All 5 COVID-19 positive patients required hospitalization, 4 suffered severe pneumonia, 1 died from COVID-19 and 2 died from cancer related causes. In comparison, the mortality rate for the COVID-19 negative patients was 3.3%. Conclusion: Despite the impact of COVID-19 in health provision, a large number of our GU patients at Guy’s Cancer Centre safely received SACT. Our results suggest that the continuation of SACT during the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase the risk of COVID-19 in our patient cohort (SARS-CoV-2 infection rate: 1%). Of note, the infection rate was lower than observed in a similar study in our centre for gastrointestinal cancer patients (SARS-CoV-2 infection rate: 3.4%). In light of the above, decisions against SACT or SACT intensity should carefully be evaluated. Citation Format: Christina Karampera, Beth Russell, Charlotte Moss, Rushan Sylva, Kieran Palmer, Elias Pintus, Sarah Rudman, Debra Josephs, Kamarul Zaki, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Saoirse Dolly, Deborah Enting. Real world data analysis of patients with genitourinary cancers receiving systemic anticancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic at Guy's Cancer Centre: A single centre retrospective study in the UK [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 S09-03.
Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced treatment decisions in cancer patients. There is increasing evidence that not all oncology patients are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or death. This study aimed to look at rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality in patients with skin malignancies receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) during the pandemic in Guy’s Cancer Centre. Methods: All patients with skin cancer receiving SACT at Guy’s Cancer Centre between March 1st and May 31st 2020 were included. Demographic data: sex, age, socio-economic status (SES), ethnicity, comorbidities, medications and smoking history were collected along with cancer characteristics: cancer type, stage, treatment paradigm, modality and line. COVID-19 infection was confirmed by PCR and severity defined by the World Health Organisation classification. Patients with radiological or clinical diagnoses alone were excluded. Results: Of 116 skin cancer patients on SACT over the 3-month period, 89% had Melanoma, 5% Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS), 3% Squamous Cell, 2% Merkel Cell, 1% Basal Cell Carcinoma and 1% Angiosarcoma. 53% were male and 78% were of low SES. 62% were being treated with palliative intent and 70% of these were on first line palliative treatment. The median age was 57.6 years in COVID-19 positive patients (n=3) compared to 60.3 years in the negative group (n=113). 58.6% received immunotherapy, 28.4% targeted therapy, 7.8% chemotherapy and 4.3% combined treatment. Of the 3 patients (2.6%) with confirmed COVID-19 infection, the two patients with KS were receiving liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and the other paclitaxel chemotherapy and the patient with Melanoma was receiving encorafenib and binimetinib. All COVID-19 positive patients were of low SES, 2 females and 1 male. There was a low rate of co-morbidities with hypertension in 1 COVID-19 positive patient and none in the negative group. All 3 confirmed COVID-19 patients developed severe pneumonia and were diagnosed within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. There were no COVID related deaths and one disease-related death in the negative cohort. Conclusion: There was a low rate of COVID-19 infection in the 116 skin cancer patients on SACT (2.6%) with 60% of patients on immunotherapy. All 3 confirmed cases had severe pneumonia with no COVID-19 related deaths (0%); 2 were receiving chemotherapy and 1 on targeted therapy. Patients on treatment were encouraged to shield between hospital attendances during this period which may account for the reduced rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This data supports the emerging observations that immunotherapy does not confer an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection in cancer patients. This observation is confounded by the relatively young age and low co-morbidity rates in the cohort which may have contributed to the low infection and mortality rate. Citation Format: Lucy Flanders, Beth Russell, Charlotte Moss, Kieran Palmer, Rushan Sylva, Gincy George, Danielle Crawley, Harriet Wylie, Fidelma Cahill, Anna Haire, Andrea D'Souza, Simon Gomberg, Richard Sullivan, Anne Rigg, Mieke Van Hemelrijck, Mark Harries, Irene De Francesco, Stephen Morris, Sophie Papa, Saiorse Dolly. COVID-19 infection and mortality in patients with skin malignancies receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT): The Guy’s Cancer Centre experience [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 P28.
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 > 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 >2-5 years [2.81 (1.41-5.59)] or ≥5 years [2.13 (1.06-4.27)] and a ferritin > 1964 mcg/l [16.11 (3.81-68.17)] were associated with an increased risk of death from COVID-19. Age >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.