Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology (Apr 2021)

Unexpected tumor reduction in metastatic colorectal cancer patients during SARS-Cov-2 infection

  • Alessandro Ottaiano,
  • Stefania Scala,
  • Crescenzo D’Alterio,
  • Annamaria Trotta,
  • Annamaria Bello,
  • Giuseppina Rea,
  • Carmine Picone,
  • Mariachiara Santorsola,
  • Antonella Petrillo,
  • Guglielmo Nasti

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/17588359211011455
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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Herein, we describe three patients affected by metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) experiencing infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) and reduction of disease burden during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) course. Insights into tumor-associated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 expression and lymphocyte function suggest a correlation between host/SARS-Cov-2 infection and tumor burden reduction. This may shed new light into (a) the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 virus and (b) the multiple aspects of a composite antiviral immune response with potential paradoxical and unexpected applications.