Study on link between COVID-19 and cancer causes buzz online

A new study on the effects that COVID-19 could potentially have on cancer tumors is causing a lot of buzz online. Northwestern University researchers found that the virus triggers immune changes that one day may be able to fight cancer.

The research started after doctors noticed people with cancer, who got very sick with COVID-19 during the pandemic, saw their tumors shrink or grow at a slower rate.

The study revealed the same cells activated by severe cases of the virus could be induced with a drug to attack cancer cells. Researchers specifically saw a response with melanoma, lung, breast and colon cancer.

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While there were some anecdotal stories from doctors during the pandemic, the researchers only used human blood and tissues and mice. No actual patients with cancer were a part of the study.

However, the results led to different headlines from multiple news outlets ranging from “Covid might cure cancer. No, you didn’t read that wrong,” to “Can COVID-19 help the body fight cancer? Shocking new study links viruses to shrinking tumors.”

The headlines had some doctors reacting on social media, including Dr. Ali Khan who served at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more than 20 years.

“Clickbait,” Khan commented on X. “Nope – Not a single person involved in the study. Some blood and human tissue samples and mice. Stay tuned 20 years.”

Clickbait. "Can COVID-19 help the body fight cancer? Shocking new study links virus to shrinking tumors" Nope. Not a single person involved in study. Some blood & human tissue samples and mice. Stay tuned 20 years.https://t.co/bgBYs8ySMa

— Dr. Ali Khan (@DrAliSKhan) November 21, 2024

The study also has some people questioning the COVID-19 vaccine.

“If the COVID-19 natural infection can mitigate cancer, could the COVID-19 immunization have the opposite effect?” another person said on X.

While the study didn’t include data on the vaccine, the researchers say the link between the COVID-19 virus and cancer is promising.

They also emphasized more work is needed before this approach can actually be used on patients. They said next steps will involve clinical trials to see if they can safely and effectively implement their findings on people.