Title:Interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and Cancer: Plausible Risk Factors, Cellular
Immune Responses, Cancer Directed Therapy- Current Challenges
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Author(s): Suman Kumar Ray and Sukhes Mukherjee*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of
Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh-462020, India
Keywords:
COVID-19, cancer, pandemic, telemedicine, therapeutic intent, patient care.
Abstract: COVID-19 has created tremendous societal upheaval, resulting in a global overhaul of
healthcare systems. According to new evidence, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to aggravate
pre-existing inequities, particularly among cancer patients. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a
disproportionately negative impact on cancer patients. The unfavorable outcomes in cancer patients
who contract COVID-19, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care delivery, and the significant
disruption of cancer research are all examples of this consequence. On the other hand, patients
with cancer are a diverse group, and new research has identified characteristics that allow for risk categorization
of cancer patients to optimize care. Variable access to telemedicine, timely diagnosis, and
treatment access are all possible drivers of unequal cancer survival as a result of the epidemic. Despite
oncology associations presenting guidelines on cancer care during the pandemic, the magnitude of
potential therapy advantages, therapeutic purpose, and access to care all play a role in prioritizing cancer
medicines. This review focuses on evidence related to COVID-19 and cancer, such as the molecular
interactions between the two diseases and practical therapeutic suggestions for cancer patients during
the pandemic. We also explore the pandemic's possible long-term influence on cancer care due to
its negative impact on cancer research, as well as biological discoveries from the cancer research
community that could aid in the development of novel therapeutics for all COVID-19 patients.