Prognostic value of procalcitonin in cancer patients with coronavirus disease 2019

Objectives: Many biomarkers have been studied to assist in the risk stratification and prognostication of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Procalcitonin (PCT), a circulating precursor of the hormone calcitonin, has been studied with mixed results as a predictor of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the general population; however, to date, no studies have focused on the utility of PCT in predicting disease severity and death from COVID-19 in the cancer population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a comprehensive cancer center over a 10-month period who had PCT recorded on admission. We assessed associations between variables of clinical interest and the primary outcomes of progression of COVID-19 and death during or within 30 days of hospitalization using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The study included 209 unique patients. In the univariate analysis, elevated PCT on admission was associated with higher odds of progression of COVID-19 or death (Odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% CI 1.08–1.93) and mortality alone (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.17–2.11). In multivariate regression, PCT remained significantly associated with progression or death after holding chronic kidney disease (CKD) status constant (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.93, p=0.003). Similarly, the association of PCT and death remained significant after adjusting for age (OR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.17–2.15). Conclusions: In hospitalized COVID-19 patients with underlying cancer, initial PCT levels on admission may be associated with prognosis, involving higher odds of progression of COVID-19 and/or mortality.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Prognostic value of procalcitonin in cancer patients with coronavirus disease 2019 ; volume:61 ; number:2 ; year:2023 ; pages:339-348 ; extent:10 ; Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine ; 61, Heft 2 (2023), 339-348 (gesamt 10)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Tiutan, Timothy ; Wallins, Joseph S. ; Brown, Samantha ; Gonen, Mithat ; Korenstein, Deborah

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0366
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022121413231507297797
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:34 AM CEST