ASCO 2021 | Mortality in cancer patients with COVID-19: a systematic review

Elisa Agostinetto, MD, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy, discusses the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted to assess for risk of mortality in adult patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The pooled analysis assessed more than 35,000 patients across 144 studies. The analysis showed a high probability of mortality, with a 25% case-fatality rate. When specific tumor types were assessed, lung cancer patients showed an even higher risk of mortality. The evaluation highlights the need for aggressive preventive measures against COVID-19 in cancer patients. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.