COVID-19 and Immunotherapy: New Study Challenges Conventional Wisdom

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in BMC Cancer has revealed that immunotherapy treatment in patients with COVID-19 does not increase the risk of 30-day mortality. The study, conducted by researchers at Western University, analyzed data from Ontario, Canada, and found that 22% of patients who received immunotherapy treatment within 120 days of testing positive for COVID-19 experienced 30-day mortality. The researchers also identified certain clinical characteristics associated with increased mortality, highlighting the need for careful examination when prescribing immunotherapy during future pandemics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from 281 patients with solid tumors who received immunotherapy treatment within 120 days of testing positive for COVID-19.
  • The mean age of the patients was 68 years, with 45% being female and 58% having lung cancer.
  • 59% of patients received single-agent immunotherapy, and almost 80% received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The 30-day mortality rate was 22%, which is lower than previously reported outcomes for patients with cancer and COVID-19.
  • The researchers identified certain clinical characteristics associated with increased mortality, including higher age, male sex, and presence of lung cancer.
  • The study suggests that immunotherapy treatment does not increase the risk of 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19 infections.
  • The researchers emphasized the need for careful examination of clinical factors when prescribing immunotherapy during future pandemics.

Statistics:

  • 281 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 68 years (Standard Deviation: 10.3).
  • 45% (127/281) of patients were female, and 58% (163/281) had lung cancer.
  • 59% (167/281) of patients received single-agent immunotherapy, and 79.7% (153/281) received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The 30-day mortality rate was 22% (63/281), with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.63 (95%CI 1.55-8.52) for mortality associated with certain clinical characteristics.

Sources:

  • Early mortality in patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection treated with immunotherapy. BMC Cancer, 2025,25(1):1-9. (BMC Cancer - http://bmccancer.biomedcentral.com)
  • NewsRx. Report Summarizes COVID-19 Study Findings from Western University (Early mortality in patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection treated with immunotherapy). Cancer Weekly. June 10, 2025; p 234.