COVID-19 Patients with Cancer Show Increased Risk of Dysglycemia and Cardiovascular Events

Strategic Insights -

Research from Titu Maiorescu University in Romania has found that patients with cancer and severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with azithromycin and anakinra frequently develop dysglycemia, necessitating initiation of sulfonylurea therapy. The study retrospectively reviewed adults with diabetes and cancer who were hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2022. The researchers found that all patients who completed a 14-day course of azithromycin + anakinra and survived to discharge were able to achieve glycaemic control with fixed-dose gliquidone or glimepiride.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patients with cancer and severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with injectable azithromycin and anakinra frequently develop dysglycemia, necessitating initiation of sulfonylurea therapy.
  • The study included 50 patients with cancer infected with COVID-19 who were dependent on developing immunothrombosis.
  • Central insulin resistance may lead to the risk of cardiometabolic syndrome through the increase of inflammatory markers (TNF-alpha and PAI-1) treated with gliquidone.
  • Peripheral insulin resistance leads to the risk of cardiovascular events through the increase of inflammatory markers (IL-6 and Il-1) treated with glimepiride.
  • The researchers found that glycaemic control was achieved with fixed-dose gliquidone 30 mg or glimepiride 2, 3, or 6 mg, chosen according to each patient's inflammatory-cardiac profile.
  • The study concluded that patients with cancer and COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular events and cardiometabolic syndrome due to insulin resistance and inflammation.

Statistics:

  • 50 patients with cancer infected with COVID-19 were included in the study.
  • A 14-day course of azithromycin + anakinra was completed by all patients who survived to discharge.
  • 50 patients with cancer infected with COVID-19 developed dysglycemia and required sulfonylurea therapy.
  • The researchers found that gliquidone and glimepiride were effective in achieving glycaemic control in 100% of patients.
  • The study included adults with diabetes and cancer who were hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 2020 and August 2022.

Sources:

  • Control of type 2 diabetes in patients with cancer and chronic pro-inflammatory cytokines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Medicine and Life, 2025;18(5):428-439.
  • NewsRx. Titu Maiorescu University Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Control of type 2 diabetes in patients with cancer and chronic pro-inflammatory cytokines during the COVID-19 pandemic). Chemicals & Chemistry. July 18, 2025; p 17.