NCI COVID-19 CANCER PATIENT STUDY

The NCI COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study, or NCCAPS, is a natural history study of COVID-19 in people with cancer. As part of the study, researchers will collect blood samples, medical information, and medical images from people with cancer who also have COVID-19. Participants will be followed for up to 2 years to help doctors and researchers understand how cancer affects COVID-19 and COVID-19 affects cancer.

To participate in the study, patients must be actively undergoing cancer treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and/or radiation therapy) or follow-up care after treatment that requires them to regularly visit a health care facility. Participation in this study will not require additional hospital visits. The study aims to enroll about 2,000 people with cancer and COVID-19 nationwide.

The study will allow researchers to:

  • Learn more about the risk factors related to serious illness from COVID-19 in people who are having treatment for cancer
  • Study how COVID-19 affects cancer treatment and the results of the treatment
  • Find genetic risk factors and markers of serious illness from COVID-19 in people with cancer
  • Create a bank of data, blood samples, and images from people with COVID-19 and cancer for future research NCCAPS is supported by the National Cancer Institute and is taking place at [Enter Institution Name] and sites around the country.

For more information, visit: NCI COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study Page

“People with cancer are already facing the shock of a cancer diagnosis, the tribulations that accompany treatment, or the stress of survivorship. On top of that, we’re learning that people with cancer may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 because their cancer, or its treatment, has left them more vulnerable to complications,” says James H. Doroshow, M.D., NCI’s Deputy Director for Clinical and Translational Research and Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis. “NCCAPS will help scientists answer key questions about COVID-19’s impact on cancer patients, as well as cancer’s impact on the course of COVID-19. The findings have the potential to influence the treatment of cancer patients with COVID-19 in the future.”

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