TMPRSS2 is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 for cellular entry. Androgen-Androgen receptor directed therapy (A/ARDT) downregulates expression of TMPRSS2. We hypothesized A/ARDT might protect prostate cancer (PCa) patients from poor COVID-19 outcome. A retrospective analysis of PCa patients with COVID-19 infection was performed. 146 PCa cases were identified, 17% were on A/ARDT. Hospitalization rates were same: 52% (OR =0.99, 0.41-2.24). Mean hospitalization was 9.2 (Range:1-25) and 14.9 (Range:2-47) days in A/ARDT and non-A/ARDT groups, respectively. While definitive conclusions cannot be made regarding outcome differences between groups due to lack of statistical significance, these data generate hypothesis that A/ARDT might shorten hospitalization stay.
Cancer investigation. 2022 Nov 14 [Epub ahead of print]
Serhan Unlu, Junghee Jenny Shin, Jennefer Par-Young, Michael Simonov, Joseph Vinetz, Daniel P Petrylak, Insoo Kang, Joseph W Kim
Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America., Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America., Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America., Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America.