COVID-19: UK Coronavirus Cancer Comprehensive Monitoring Project [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COVID-19: UK Coronavirus Cancer Comprehensive Monitoring Project- a retrospective national cohort analysis
IRAS ID
285946
Contact name
Lennard Lee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Cancer patients are believed to be a vulnerable subgroup of patients and at increased risk of COVID-19 disease. They have been reported to at increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infections, having a more severe and rapidly evolving disease course requiring higher levels of intensive care with increased risk of death. However, cancer encompasses a wide spectrum of tumour subtypes and stages, affecting a heterogeneous group of patients with differing cancer prognoses and undergoing different treatments. Patients with cancer are unlikely to be affected equally by COVID-19 disease. The simple classification of vulnerable “cancer patients” with “non-cancer patients” has led to sweeping changes in cancer management for all cancer types. To date, there has been no systematic analyses of risk to a given cancer patient. Furthermore, there has been no the comprehensive evaluations of potential/actual attempts to mitigate these risks in cancer patients. \n\nThis knowledge gap has large consequences on cancer patients. All cancer patients on treatment are classified as being “clinically extremely vulnerable” and clinically isolated/shielded, with a large impact on mental health of patients. There are also clinical challenges in balancing the risks and benefits of cancer treatments considering COVID-19 infections. \n\nThe primary goal of the project is to perform a retrospective analysis of existing data collected through existing national databases. The aims are to systematically identify risk to cancer patients in terms of viral susceptibility and mortality. Overall, this project will address critical knowledge gaps to ensure safe cancer treatment can continue to be offered in the era of COVID-19.\n\n
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
20/WA/0181
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion