Background The COICA study is an ambispective, observational trial that was conceived to assess the clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in cancer patients. A recently published, population-based, case-control study reported a reduced vaccine efficacy at 3-6 months in cancer patients compared to individuals without cancer. Objectives To describe COVID-19 outcomes in cancer patients and analyze differences in SARS-CoV-2 outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients Methods Descriptive statistics and frequency counts were used to summarize characteristics of the study population. Chi-square test and the log-rank test were used to compare outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Results A total of 141 cancer patients (80 males, 61 females) were recruited at two participating Institutions since March, 2020 until April, 2022 and observed since the time of positive SARS-CoV-2 test to time of negativization or death. Approximately 35% of patients had been vaccinated at the time of infection with 2 (16 patients) or 3 ( 33 patients) vaccine doses. Vaccinated patients consistently and significantly showed improved COVID-19 outcomes compared to unvaccinated patients, with CT diagnosed pneumonia, hospitalization required, O2 required and death in 0% vs. 48.6%, 2.0% vs. 15.2%, 0% vs. 14.1%, 0% vs. 7.6%, respectively, of assessable patients (p<0.05 for all comparisons). Vaccinated vs. unvaccinated patients showed a significantly shorter time to negativization, with a median (95% Confidence Interval) time of 12 (10-14) vs. 20 (17 – 23) days, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions Vaccination consistently improved all COVID-19 outcomes. No deaths was recorded among vaccinated patients. Additional research is especially warranted to establish optimal timing and patient selection for administration of the fourth vaccination dose.

Introduction. Approximately a third of cancer-related deaths are attributable to modifiable factors. Methods. As a pilot experience, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8000 citizens residing in four different municipalities of the Salerno province (Sarno, Pagani, San Valentino Torio and San Marzano sul Sarno) to investigate key lifestyle and dietary habits. Results. A total of 703 of participants (8.7%) reported a history of malignancy. Alarmingly,30.5% declared to be a current smoker, while 78.8%did not report any kind of physical activity. Encouragingly,64.5% declared to be abstemious and 83.0% declared to consume fruit and vegetables every day, while 4.7%and 31.9% declared not to consume meat and fried food, respectively, at any time. Never consumers of fruit and vegetables had higher odds of having a history of colo-rectal cancer (OR= 5.01; 95%CI= 1.46 to 17.15; p= 0.01). Conclusions. The PREVES study has served to prove the validity of an operational model allowing to integrate hospital and territorial healthcare services, which we expect to be applied at a larger scale. Key information regarding dietary and lifestyle habits of the investigated population was obtained. Larger studies conducted using more accurate approaches to investigate diet, such as 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires, are warranted.

Cancer currently represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and it can be held responsible for about one in six deaths worldwide [...]