BREAKING COVID-19 News! Case Report Raises Questions About SARS-CoV-2 And Its Role In Carcinogenesis!

COVID-19 News: In the global battle against COVID-19, the world has been focused on understanding and combatting the virus. However, as we delve deeper into the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we are discovering a complex web of potential consequences that extend beyond the immediate respiratory illness. One such intriguing area of study revolves around the relationship between COVID-19, leukemia, skin malignancies, and their potential connection.


 
This COVID-19 News report examines a case report from the Faculty of Medicine at the Academy of Silesia in Katowice-Poland, the Bogomolets Clinic in Kyiv-Ukraine, and Bogomolets Medical Laboratories-Ukraine. The report presents the case of a patient diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and multiple skin cancers, with a unique timeline that includes a prior COVID-19 infection. The report aims to investigate the possible influence of COVID-19, leukemia, and leukemia treatments, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Gleevec, on the development of skin malignancies.
 
The Global Cancer Burden
To understand the significance of the case report, it's essential to contextualize it within the global burden of cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. In the same year, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was diagnosed 474,519 times, representing 2.6% of all diagnosed cancers, while melanoma of the skin was diagnosed 324,635 times, making up 1.8% of cancers worldwide. Non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are often underreported due to successful surgical or ablative treatments. Therefore, the global incidence of skin cancers might be underestimated.
 
In this context, it's crucial to investigate any potential connections between COVID-19, leukemia, skin malignancies, and their impact on public health.
 
COVID-19 and Its Possible Influence on Carcinogenesis
Emerging research suggests that COVID-19 might have a broader impact on health than initially believed. Several studies have explored the potential link between COVID-19 and cancer development. One theoretical framework, presented by Costa et al., describes how COVID-19 may influence the development of blood cancers. They suggest that an abnormal immune response to viral infections can indirectly trigger gene mutations promoting leukemia. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 is known to interact with the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays a role in the development of cancerous blood cells.
 
Notably, past studies have reported cases of leukemia development in previously healthy individuals after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These patients, aged 31-35, experienced clinical manifestations of leukemia about 2-3 months post-COVID-19 recovery, indicating that SARS-CoV-2 infection could contribute to leukemogenesis.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2531137922000050
 
Various Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis Post-COVID-19
Several mechanisms may link COV ID-19 to carcinogenesis. Chronic inflammation, which can result from a viral infection like COVID-19, has been associated with 15–20% of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Studies indicate that COVID-19 can lead to T-cell exhaustion and the activation of oncogenic pathways, including JAK-STAT, MAPK, and NF-kB. Additionally, some viral proteins, like Nsp3, have been linked to the degradation of p53, a well-known tumor suppressor protein.
 
The Case Report: A Unique Timeline
The case report under scrutiny describes a 49-year-old man who was diagnosed with two melanomas and another skin cancer within two years. Notably, the patient had already been suffering from CML, which developed three months after recovering from COVID-19. Since the onset of leukemia, the patient has been taking the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Gleevec.
 
The patient, previously healthy, had never experienced sunburns and maintained a healthy lifestyle, working primarily in an office and engaging in regular physical activities. After surgical removal of the skin lesions, the patient did not undergo pharmacological treatment for skin cancer and reported excellent treatment results.
 
A Timeline of Events
-In 2020, after contracting COVID-19, a basal cell carcinoma appeared on the patient's neck.
 
-In 2021, a dark spot emerged on the patient's nose, which was previously a light brown mole from adolescence.
 
-In 2022, melanoma was detected on the patient's nose, and another melanoma appeared on the upper third of the back.
 
Histopathological Examinations
Pathohistological examinations were conducted on the removed skin lesions. The results indicated different diagnoses for each site, further emphasizing the complexity of the case:
-The nose lesion showed characteristics of Lentigo malignant melanoma.
-The back lesion corresponded to a low-CSD melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma).
-The neck lesion was diagnosed as nodular basal cell carcinoma.
 
The Connection Between COVID-19, Leukemia, and Skin Malignancies
The case report suggests that COVID-19 served as the initial trigger for a series of subsequent health challenges, including CML and multiple skin malignancies. The timeline of events and the emergence of leukemia and skin cancers shortly after COVID-19 recovery raise questions about a potential link between the virus and carcinogenesis.
 
The Role of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the clonal proliferation of bone marrow stem cells. CML is driven by the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), a genetic mutation resulting from a translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22. This mutation leads to the formation of the chimeric BCR-ABL1 gene, producing the BCR-ABL protein with constitutive tyrosine kinase activity. CML's progression is marked by the accumulation of cytogenetic aberrations, resistance to treatment, and an unfavorable prognosis.
 
CML and Secondary Malignancies
It is recognized that CML may increase the risk of secondary malignancies. This heightened risk could be attributed to various factors, including genetic predisposition, shared risk factors between CML and other cancers, CML treatments, and increased medical surveillance post-diagnosis.
 
Genetic Predisposition
Studies have shown that genetic pleiotropy plays a role in the pathogenesis of leukemia and non-melanoma skin cancer. A single pleiotropic locus (6p25.3) has been identified as responsible for the association between susceptibility to squamous cell carcinoma and an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Genetic susceptibility to chronic leukemia has also been linked to an increased risk of basal cell carcinoma.
 
The Role of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)
The patient in this case report was treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Gleevec, which has demonstrated efficacy in treating CML and other cancers. While long-term observational studies have indicated an increased risk of secondary malignancies in CML patients, case-control studies of CML patients treated with TKIs did not show the same increase in risk. This discrepancy raises questions about the direct influence of CML treatment on secondary malignancies.
 
Limitations of the Case Report
The case report presents limitations, including a short follow-up period and limited data on the severity of CML and antibiotics used during the patient's COVID-19 treatment. Given the evolving understanding of COVID-19 and the limited treatment protocols available at the pandemic's outset, more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.
 
Conclusions
The case report, along with the body of research surrounding COVID-19 and its potential impact on carcinogenesis, highlights the complex interplay between viral infections, pre-existing medical conditions, and cancer development. COVID-19's potential to create a microenvironment conducive to neoplastic transformation and malignant conversion warrants further exploration. Chronic inflammation, altered immune responses, and viral interactions with oncogenic pathways could contribute to cancer development.
 
This case report underscores the importance of regular oncological monitoring in patients recovering from COVID-19, particularly in cases of leukemia. Additionally, the study prompts consideration of dermatological examinations for patients with leukemia, given the possibility of secondary skin tumors.
 
While the exact relationship between COVID-19, leukemia, and skin malignancies remains a subject of ongoing research, it is evident that these areas merit further investigation to fully comprehend the complexities of this connection. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of COVID-19, it is vital to remain vigilant and inquisitive about its potential long-term consequences on human health.
 
The case report was published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Oncology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2023.1265479/full
 
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