Course of Sars-CoV2 Infection in Patients with Cancer Treated with anti-PD-1: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemia is a major health worldwide concern. Patients with cancer might have a worse outcome, because of the immunosuppression determined by the tumor itself and anti-cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The impact and course of viral infection in patients receiving immunotherapy remains unknown. We report the case of a patient with metastatic melanoma, long responder to anti PD-1 blockade who got infected with Sars CoV-2, recovering without sequelae. A critical review of literature was performed. Limited data available in literature support the possibility to continue the immunotherapy in patients with cancer under control.

Keywords:

• Melanoma
• cancer
• COVID-19
• anti-PD-1

Conclusion

Our case and limited data available in literature highlight the possibility to continue the anti-PD-1 treatment in patients with cancer, with a remission of disease and without other chronic conditions, and lead to speculate about a potential protective role of PD-1 blockade against COVID-19.

Given the wide use of anti-cancer immunotherapies in the current clinical practice, future studies on the interaction of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in patients with cancer and COVID-19 are warranted.

Declaration of interest

Pierfrancesco Ferrucci participated to Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis and Roche advisory boards, has served as consultant and received travel support from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Novartis, Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Emilia Cocorocchio partecipated to BMS and Roche advisory boards.

Paola Queirolo has received lecture fees from and served on the advisory board for Bristol-Myers Squibb, MSD, Novartis, Roche, Pierre Fabre, Sanofi, Merck and Sunpharma.

All other authors have declared no conflict of interest.