Patients with cancer are not only at an increased risk for developing severe COVID-19, but also face cancer treatment delays and interruptions due to the pandemic, potentially worsening cancer outcomes, according to the AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care. In addition, the report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) finds the pandemic has caused significant challenges for researchers and has led to laboratory closures and clinical trial interruptions.1
The report was released on February 9 during a virtual Congressional briefing. It documents both the challenges caused by the pandemic and the lessons learned that can lead to improvements in clinical trial design and patient care.
Consequences for Patients With Cancer
Patients with cancer, especially those with hematologic cancers, not only face a greater chance of contracting COVID-19 and having severe illness, but interruptions in their cancer treatment may also contribute to worse cancer-related outcomes in the coming years. According to the report:
The pandemic has resulted in nearly 10 million missed cancer screenings from January to July 2020. It also has:
Challenges Faced by Researchers—and the Rewards
The pandemic has not only upended scientific research and clinical trial investigations; it has also negatively impacted the career development of researchers, especially for women and other minorities. According to the survey results published in the report of 66 AACR grant recipients:
However, the results from the survey also show that researchers used their expertise in genetics, immunology, and drug development to combat the pandemic. For example, the report details how the National Cancer Institute (NCI) unified its national network of serology centers to support research on SARS–CoV-2 immunology and to increase the nation’s serologic testing capacity, resulting in new insights into the mechanisms of immune response to COVID-19.
In addition, decades of research in mRNA vaccines for use as cancer immunotherapies was instrumental in the quick development of COVID-19 vaccines and has renewed enthusiasm for continued investigation in mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies.
Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR
“We have tackled cancer in a science-based manner, where we define the problem, understand the processes, and then develop treatments or ways to improve health,” said Immediate Past-President of AACR, Antoni Ribas, MD, PhD, FAACR, Chair of both the AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care Steering Committee and the AACR COVID-19 and Cancer Task Force, in a statement. “The same had to be done for COVID-19. The cancer research community has generated so many tools to study cancer—sequencing, developing antibodies, pioneering targeted therapies—that have also helped researchers address COVID-19. And the best example of all is the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.”
Improving Cancer Care
Despite the many disruptions in cancer care and clinical research caused by the pandemic, COVID-19 helped usher in some practices that may lead to future improvements in cancer care for patients, according to the report. For example, the use of telemedicine jumped 38 times higher in July 2021 than before the pandemic. The pandemic also amplified barriers to clinical trial participation; in response, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined voluntary flexibilities for clinical trials, including using telemedicine to assess patient outcomes and wellness as well as allowing home delivery of trial medications, remote consenting, and collaborations with local clinics, imaging facilities, and laboratories.
The AACR report includes steps Congress should take to rebuild the country’s public health infrastructure, enhance medical research, and modernize how patients receive care and enroll in clinical trials. The recommendations include the following:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of basic science, cancer prevention, cancer screenings, and addressing cancer disparities,” said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), Chief Executive Officer of AACR, in a statement.
Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc)
“To restore the momentum against cancer, we urge Congress to continue its long-standing commitment to supporting cancer research. Robust, sustained, and predictable annual funding increases for NIH and NCI will propel future scientific advances, maximize returns from prior investments in cancer research, drive economic prosperity, and support new lifesaving cures for patients with cancer.”
DISCLOSURE: Dr. Ribas reported relationships with Agilent, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai, Genentech, Merck, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Vedanta, Advaxis, Apricity, Arcus, Compugen, CytomX, Five Prime, Kite/Gilead, Lutris, Merus, Rgenix, and Tango Therapeutics. Dr. Foti is Chief Executive Officer of the AACR.
REFERENCES
1. American Association for Cancer Research: AACR Report on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Research and Patient Care. Available at www.aacr.org/professionals/research/aacr-report-on-covid-19-and-research. Accessed February 14, 2022.
2. Congress.Gov: H.R. 869-RISE Act of 2021. Available at www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/869?s=1&r=67. Accessed February 14, 2022.
3. Congress.Gov: S.2706—DIVERSE Trials Act. Available at www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/2706?s=1&r=39. Accessed February 14, 2022.