Evaluation of Serologic Changes of IgG and IgM Antibodies Associated with SARS-COV-2 in Cancer Patients: A Cohort Seroprevalence Study

BACKGROUND: While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic spreads, there is increasing evidence to suggest the elevated risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and following morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Serology testing using ELISA proposes major advantages as a diagnostic and preventive tool to control the present SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. This cohort study was to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in asymptomatic cancer patients. METHODS: Patients in all age groups and with any type of cancer who have been in remission or have stable disease and received their latest anticancer therapy over 2 months ago included in the study. All patients were evaluated for COVID-19 symptoms and only asymptomatic patients were enrolled for serologic screening for SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples evaluated serologically for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A total of 168 asymptomatic cancer patients were included in the study. Of the 168 cases with a history of cancer who were asymptomatic for Covid-19, 29 cases (17.26%) had a positive serological test. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in the present study asymptomatic cancer patients revealed 17% seropositivity, approximately equal to the general population of the same age, sex, geographic region, and epidemic status. Asymptomatic infections should further be investigated and considered as playing an important role in the COVID-19 transmission chain.