Cancer and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment in the Era of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

ABSTRACT: Whether cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are at an increased risk of severe infection and mortality during the corona pandemic is a hotly debated topic that will continue to evolve. Here, we summarize and discuss current studies regarding COVID-19 and anti-cancer treatment with an emphasis on ICI. Importantly, several lines of evidence suggest that patients currently treated with ICI do not display an increased vulnerability to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Data regarding morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 in cancer patients receiving ICI are less clear and often conflicting. Although mostly based on experimental data, it is possible that ICI can promote the exacerbated immune response associated with adverse outcome in COVID-19 patients. On the other

SUBMITTER: Gambichler T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7698088 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature