SARS-CoV-2 Serology Monitoring of a Cancer Center Staff in the Pandemic Most Infected Italian Region

Ciniselli, Chiara Maura; Micali, Arianna; De Cecco, Loris; Notti, Paola; Sinno, Valentina; Luison, Elena; Melani, Cecilia C.; Daidone, Maria Grazia; Apolone, Giovanni; Verderio, Paolo; Figini, Mariangela

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Cancer Centers adopted specific procedures to protect patients as well as to monitor the possible spread of SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare personnel. In April 2020, we implemented a prospective longitudinal study aimed at monitoring the serological response to SARS-Cov-2 in the healthcare personnel of a Comprehensive Cancer Center identified by the Lombardy region (the Italian region most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic) as one of the three oncologic hubs where the Regional Health Authorities referred all the cancer patients in the region. We identified a fraction of healthcare personnel with long-term anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response, though negative for viral RNA, who could safely approach fragile cancer patients. ABSTRACT: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Cancer Centers adopted specific procedures both to protect patients and to monitor the possible spread of SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare personnel (HCP). In April 2020 at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milano, one of the three oncologic hubs in Lombardy where the Health Regional Authorities referred all the cancer patients of the region, we implemented a prospective longitudinal study aimed at monitoring the serological response to SARS-Cov-2 in HCP. One hundred and ten HCP answered a questionnaire and were screened by nasopharyngeal swabs as well as for IgM/IgG levels; seropositive HCPs were further screened every 40–45 days using SARS-CoV-2-specific serology. We identified a fraction of HCP with long-term anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses, though negative for viral RNA, and thus probably able to safely approach fragile cancer patients. Monitoring asymptomatic HCP might provide useful information to organize the healthcare service in a Cancer Center, while waiting for the effectiveness of the active immunization by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, which will provide protection from infection.