Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC): outcome of COVID-19 in patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort study

de Joode, K.; Dumoulin, D.W.; Tol, J.; Westgeest, H.M.; Beerepoot, L.V.; van den Berkmortel, F.W.P.J.; Mutsaers, P.G.N.J.; van Diemen, N.G.J.; Visser, O.J.; Oomen - de Hoop, E.; Bloemendal, H.J.; van Laarhoven, H.W.M.; Hendriks, L.E.L.; Haanen, J.B.A.G.; de Vries, E.G.E.; Dingemans, A.C.; van der Veldt, A.A.M.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Patients with cancer might have an increased risk for severe outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify risk factors associated with a worse outcome of COVID-19, a nationwide registry was developed for patients with cancer and COVID-19. METHODS: This observational cohort study has been designed as a quality of care registry and is executed by the Dutch Oncology COVID-19 Consortium (DOCC), a nationwide collaboration of oncology physicians in the Netherlands. A questionnaire has been developed to collect pseudonymised patient data on patients’ characteristics, cancer diagnosis, and treatment. All patients with COVID-19 and a cancer diagnosis or treatment in the past 5 years are eligible. RESULTS: Between March 27(th) and May 4(th), 442 patients were registered. For this first analysis, 351 patients were included of whom 114 patients died. In multivariable analyses, age ≥65 years (p<0.001), male gender (p=0.035), prior or other malignancy (p=0.045), and active diagnosis of haematological malignancy (p=0.046) or lung cancer (p=0.003) were independent risk factors for a fatal outcome of COVID-19. In a subgroup analysis of patients with active malignancy, the risk for a fatal outcome was mainly determined by tumour type (haematological malignancy or lung cancer) and age (≥65 years). CONCLUSION: The findings in this registry indicate that patients with a haematological malignancy or lung cancer have an increased risk of a worse outcome of COVID-19. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these vulnerable patients should avoid exposure to SARS-CoV-2, whereas treatment adjustments and prioritizing vaccination, when available, should also be considered.