Male patients with cancer at higher risk of severe disease course and mortality attributable to COVID-19

 A recently published systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted within the Division of Medical Oncology at the Kansas University Medical Center, indicates that gender, in particular males is a significant risk factor for advanced disease and death as a result of COVID-19.  

The study authors have posited a number of theories regarding the gender difference, including age, comorbidities, as well as "androgenic hormones in the pathogenesis, potential sex differences in one or more of the multistep immunopathogenic pathway including virus entry, innate immune virus recognition, and induction of adaptive immune response." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: 

Sex-bias in COVID-19-associated illness severity and mortality in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine; Published online 24 August 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100519