Background: In 2019, the breakthrough of the coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represented one of the major issues of our recent history. Different drugs have been tested to rapidly find effective anti-viral treatments and, among these, antiandrogens have been suggested to play a role in mediating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Considering the high heterogeneity of studies on this topic, we decided to review the current literature. Methods: We performed a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. A search strategy was conducted on PUBMED and Medline. Only original articles published from March 2020 to 31 August 2023 investigating the possible protective role of antiandrogens were included. In vitro or preclinical studies and reports not in the English language were excluded. The main objective was to investigate how antiandrogens may interfere with COVID-19 outcomes. Results: Among 1755 records, we selected 31 studies, the majority of which consisted of retrospective clinical data collections and of randomized clinical trials during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: In conclusion, we can state that antiandrogens do not seem to protect individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity and, thus, their use should not be encouraged in this field.

Background/objectives: Cancer patients are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 due to their immunocompromised status. This study aims to evaluate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as COVID-19 prevalence and mortality, in cancer patients during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a virus epicenter of Northern Italy. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 40,148 prevalent cancer patients from the province of Parma, Italy, between February and June 2020. Patients were identified from health system records and classified by cancer subtype, treatment status, and COVID-19 diagnosis. The risk of infection and mortality was analyzed using odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR). Results: Among cancer patients, those on active cancer treatment had a higher cumulative risk of all-cause death (HR 1.83, p < 0.000268). Cancer subtype significantly impacted COVID-19 outcomes, with breast cancer patients showing lower incidence and mortality compared to those with lung, colorectal, or bladder cancers. Conclusions: Cancer patients, especially those on active treatment, are at increased risk of COVID-19 infection and death. Tailored prevention strategies, including prioritization of vaccination and careful management of cancer treatments, are crucial to mitigate risks during pandemics. These findings provide valuable insights for clinical decision-making in oncological care during public health crises.