Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Stage II or III Colon Cancer: Experiences from a Multicentre Clinical Trial in China

Sun, Long; Xu, Yan; Zhang, T; Yang, Yuqiao

doi:10.3747/co.27.6529

Cited by 15 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 18 publications

(17 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…[ 25 , 31 ] Institution-based studies from Western Pacific nations such as China, Japan and Philippines, with higher rates of COVID-19 infection than Australia, report that systemic cancer therapy was delayed in up to 50% of patients. [32] , [33] , [34] However, based on early reports it appears that countries with low rates of infection, like Australia and New Zealand, were largely able to continue to deliver routine systemic cancer treatment, while countries with higher infection rates were more likely to modify cancer care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study

Tang

Daniels

Aslam

et al. 2021

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Since the emergence of COVID-19 there have been increasing global concerns about delays and/or discontinuations in cancer care. However, it is unclear to what extent systemic cancer therapy was impacted by COVID-19 in countries with relatively low COVID-19 infection rates. We examined changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a national observational study using de-identified records of government-subsidised cancer medicines dispensed to a random 10% sample of Australians between January 2017 to December 2020. We reported monthly dispensing and initiation rates of antineoplastic (chemo-, immuno- and targeted therapy), endocrine and supportive medicines per 100,000 population. We reported monthly discontinuation rates (defined as ≥90 days gap between cancer medicine dispensings) per 1,000 people treated. We used interrupted time series analysis to examine changes during times of increased COVID-19 risk and related public health measures (March, April and July 2020). Findings Between January 2017 and December 2020, 1,011,255 cancer medicines were dispensed to 51,515 people. Overall, there were no reductions in antineoplastic dispensing or initiation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, we observed a temporary increase of 39/100,000 (95% CI: 14 to 65/100,000) in antineoplastic dispensing, driven by immunotherapy and targeted therapy. In April 2020, we observed a temporary decrease in chemotherapy initiation (-2/100,000, 95% CI: -4 to -1/100,000) and temporary increase in discontinuation of all antineoplastic medicines (35/1,000, 95% CI: 20 to 51/1,000), but these changes were not sustained. Interpretation The effective control of COVID-19 in Australia appears to have mitigated the initial impact of COVID-19 on systemic cancer therapy. We observed only small and temporary changes in the use of some cancer medicines early in the pandemic. Funding National Health and Medical Research Council; National Breast Cancer Foundation; Translational Cancer Research Network, supported by the Cancer Institute NSW.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study

Tang

Daniels

Aslam

et al. 2021

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In stage III CRC where adjuvant chemotherapy has clear survival benefit, limiting treatment to 3 rather than 6 months based on the IDEA collaboration trial and thereby limiting toxicities and infection exposures without significantly sacrificing survival benefit should also be considered [ 77 ••]. Globally, groups have started to publish their experiences with treatment delays or modifications in CRC patients during the pandemic [ 78 – 80 ]. However, consequent survival outcomes will require long-term follow-up.…”

Section: Systemic Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons Learned in Managing Patients with Colorectal Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mukherji

Marshall

2021

Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Opinion statement The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to rapidly and dramatically shift our medical priorities and decision making. With little literature or experience to rely on, the initial priority was to minimize patient exposure to the hospital and to others. It remains unclear whether cancer patients are at higher risk of infection or serious complications, or if it is our traditional therapies that place them to be at higher risk. By far, the greatest negative impact was on screening. Routine colonoscopies were considered elective, and as a result, delays in diagnosis will be felt for years to come. The most positive changes were the incorporation of tele-visits, increased use of oral therapies, alterations in treatment schedules of both chemotherapy and radiation, and an increased emphasis on neoadjuvant therapy. These too will be felt for years to come. The colorectal cancer medical community has responded collaboratively and effectively to maintain treatment and to optimize outcomes for our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

show abstract

“…In Figure 1 cited from a study of similar interest-showing the impact of the pandemic and number of cancer cases missed, therefore all these act as poor diagnostic factors because missing early cases means a total change from simple resection or chemo-radiotherapy to failure of treatment. 2,3 During the COVID pandemic era in Saudi Arabia and continuing till now, many colorectal cases were delayed and postponed due to the curfew regulations and restrictions as the rest of the world.…”

Section: Impact Of Covid Pandemic On Colorectal Cancermentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID pandemic on colorectal cancer

Saimeh

2021

Int Surg J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Stage II or III Colon Cancer: Experiences from a Multicentre Clinical Trial in China

Abstract: Since January 2020, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease designated covid-19 by the World Health Organization, a human-to-human contagious viral pneumonia that began in 2019, has been extensively influencing daily life in China[...]

Cited by 15 publications

References 18 publications

Changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study

Changes in systemic cancer therapy in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study

Lessons Learned in Managing Patients with Colorectal Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Impact of COVID pandemic on colorectal cancer

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About