Prevalence and impact of COVID-19 sequelae on treatment and survival of cancer patients

The retrospective OnCovid study, at 35 institutions in six European countries, described prevalence of COVID-19 sequelae and their impact on the survival of patients with cancer. The study found that COVID-19 sequelae affected up to 15% of patients with cancer and adversely affected survival and oncological outcomes after recovery from COVID-19. With a median post-COVID-19 follow-up pf 128 days, sequelae werd associated with increased risk of death (HR 1.80; 95% CI 1.18-2.75). Among patients on systemic anti-cancer therapy, 15.0% permanently discontinued therapy and 38.2% resumed treatment with a dose or regimen adjustment. Permanent treatment discontinuations were independently associated with increased risk of death (HR 3.53; 95% CI 1,45-8.59) but dose or regimen adjustements were not (0.84; 0.35-2.02).