From the Guidelines
There is no evidence to suggest an association between colon cancer and ribonucleic acid (RNA) from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, and individuals with colon cancer should receive COVID-19 vaccination as recommended. The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective for cancer patients, including those with colon cancer, with the most common side effects being mild to moderate, such as injection site pain, fatigue, myalgia, headache, and fever 1. The mRNA in COVID-19 vaccines does not alter human DNA or cause cancerous changes, and it is quickly broken down by the body after stimulating an immune response.
Key Points
- COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for all persons with cancer or who have been previously treated for cancer, including those with colon cancer 1
- The standard vaccine schedule is recommended, with two initial doses followed by boosters as advised by health authorities
- Patients undergoing active cancer treatment should consult their oncologist about optimal timing of vaccination around treatment cycles, as they may have a reduced immune response, but vaccination is still beneficial 1
- The NCCN Guidelines recommend COVID-19 vaccination for all persons with cancer, and updated vaccines should be administered at least 2 weeks before initiation or resumption of immunosuppressive therapies 1
Recommendations
- Individuals with colon cancer should receive COVID-19 vaccination as recommended, unless advised otherwise by their oncologist
- COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for most cancer patients to reduce their risk of severe COVID-19 illness, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks 1
From the Research
Association between Colon Cancer and RNA from COVID-19 Vaccine
- There is no direct evidence to suggest an association between colon cancer and ribonucleic acid (RNA) from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have investigated the types and rates of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with newly diagnosed colon cancer, comparing microsatellite stable and instable non-metastatic colon cancer 2.
- The BNT162b2 vaccine was significantly associated with deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status in colon cancer patients, suggesting immune infiltration in dMMR colon cancer may interact with COVID-19 vaccine-induced immune activation 2.
- COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for cancer patients, including those with colon cancer, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and its associated morbidity and mortality 3, 4, 6.
- The immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in cancer patients, including those with colon cancer, may be lower compared to healthy individuals, and patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors can affect vaccine responses 6.