Impact of Covid-19 on the management of patients with metastatic melanoma

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic created new uncertainties in the management of metastatic melanoma patients. In particular, the impact of immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or chemotherapy on the risk of Sars-CoV-2 infection and severity was debated. In this study, we analyzed all patients with metastatic melanoma receiving therapy who developed Covid-19 between February 2020 and February 2022. We retrospectively collected demographic data, cancer-specific parameters, melanoma treatment regimen, comorbidities and Covid-19-specific parameters in these patients. Of the 350 patients with metastatic melanoma, 25 had Covid-19. The median age at the time of Covid-19 diagnosis was 66 years (range 36–86), 10 patients were female, and 15 patients were male. The treatment regimen during infection was immunotherapy in 12 cases, followed by targeted therapy ( n = 8), chemotherapy ( n = 2), and TVEC injections, follow-up and palliative therapy in 1 case each. The severity was mild in 17 patients and 8 had a moderate to critical course. Patients with a severe Covid-19 course were often older and had more comorbidities than patients with a mild infection. Many of the patients had a mild Covid-19 course despite having metastatic melanoma and systemic therapy. We therefore recommend continuing systemic therapy whenever possible, even in such exceptional situations as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with diabetes have an increased risk for pneumonia, intensive care unit requirement, intubation, and death: A cross‐sectional cohort study in Mexico in 2020

“…The chance of developing a severe disease from COVID‐19 can rise with age and certain preexisting medical conditions. Comorbidities like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking are very common in Mexico, which raises the risk of COVID‐19 15‐17 . Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of severe complications and poor outcomes in COVID‐19 patients, as it can damage the respiratory system and weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off the virus 18 …”

“…Comorbidities like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and smoking are very common in Mexico, which raises the risk of COVID-19. [15][16][17] Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of severe complications and poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients, as it can damage the respiratory system and weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off the virus. 18 Obesity and hypertension are two comorbidities that are frequently present in diabetes patients and can raise the risk of respiratory problems.…”