Open AccessAsymptomatic detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 among cancer patients receiving infusional anti‐cancer therapy
Author(s) -
Shaya Justin,
Cabal Angelo,
ato Taylor,
Torriani Francesca,
Califano Joseph,
Lippman Scott,
Sacco Assuntina,
McKay Rana R.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.4373
Subject(s) - asymptomatic , medicine , cohort , asymptomatic carrier , cancer , cohort study , retrospective cohort study , population , surgery , pediatrics , environmental health
Background Little is known regarding the rate and clinical outcomes of asymptomatic carriers of SARS‐CoV‐2 among patients with cancer. Detection of asymptomatic carriers is important in this population given the use of myelosuppressive and immunomodulating therapies. Understanding the asymptomatic carrier rate will help to develop mitigation strategies in this high‐risk cohort. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of an asymptomatic screening protocol which required patients receiving infusional anti‐cancer therapy to undergo a symptom/exposure screen and SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR testing 24–96 h prior to their infusion. The primary outcome of this analysis was the rate of asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Secondary outcomes included the rate of COVID‐19‐related hospitalization and mortality and delays in oncologic therapy. Results Among a cohort of 2691 cancer patients who underwent asymptomatic screening, 1.6% ( N = 43/2691) of patients were found to be SARS‐CoV‐2 positive on asymptomatic screening. 11.6% ( N = 5/43) of the cohort ultimately developed COVID‐19‐related symptoms. Four patients required hospitalization for complications of COVID‐19 infection. No patient died from COVID‐related complications. 97.7% ( N = 42/43) had their anti‐cancer therapy delayed or deferred with a median delay of 21 days (range: 7–77 days). Conclusions Overall, among a cohort of active cancer patients receiving anti‐cancer therapy, an asymptomatic SARS‐CoV2 PCR‐based screening protocol detected a small cohort of asymptomatic carriers. The majority of these patients remained asymptomatic on long‐term follow‐up and outcomes were much more favorable compared to previously described outcomes of cancer patients with symptomatic COVID‐19 infection.