{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Characteristics of Lung Cancer Patients With Asymptomatic or Undiagnosed SARS-CoV-2 Infections.
{Author}: Somisetty M;Mack PC;Hsu CY;Huang Y;Gomez JE;Rodilla AM;Cagan J;Tavolacci SC;Carreño JM;Brody R;Moore AC;King JC;Rohs NC;Rolfo C;Bunn PA;Minna JD;Bhalla S;Krammer F;García-Sastre A;Figueiredo JC;Kazemian E;Reckamp KL;Merchant AA;Nadri M;Ahmed R;Ramalingam SS;Shyr Y;Hirsch FR;Gerber DE;
{Journal}: Clin Lung Cancer
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 20
{Factor}: 4.84
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.cllc.2024.07.007
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be spread by individuals unaware they are infected. Such dissemination has heightened ramifications in cancer patients, who may need to visit healthcare facilities frequently, be exposed to immune-compromising therapies, and face greater morbidity from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We determined characteristics of (1) asymptomatic, clinically diagnosed, and (2) serologically documented but clinically undiagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection among individuals with lung cancer.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In a multicenter registry, individuals with lung cancer (regardless of prior SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or documented infection) underwent collection of clinical data and serial blood samples, which were tested for antinucleocapsid protein antibody (anti-N Ab) or IgG (N) levels. We used multivariable logistic regression models to investigate clinical characteristics associated with the presence or absence of symptoms and the presence or absence of a clinical diagnosis among patients with their first SARS-CoV-2 infection.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Among patients with serologic evidence or clinically documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, 80/142 (56%) had no reported symptoms at their first infection, and 61/149 (40%) were never diagnosed. Asymptomatic infection was more common among older individuals and earlier-stage lung cancer. In multivariable analysis, non-white individuals with SARS-CoV-2 serologic positivity were 70% less likely ever to be clinically diagnosed (P = .002).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>In a multicenter lung cancer population, a substantial proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections had no associated symptoms or were never clinically diagnosed. Because such cases appear to occur more frequently in populations that may face greater COVID-19-associated morbidity, measures to limit disease spread and severity remain critical.