Cancer datasets and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: establishing principles for collaboration

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coro-navirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been a

major disruptive event for the global oncology community. It has challenged and compro-

mised the delivery of oncological care as a result of (1) the diversion of resource to support the

care of acutely and critically ill patients with COVID-19; (2) a reduction in the number

of highly trained staff who deliver such treatments due to sickness, self-isolation or family

reasons1; and (3) concerns related to treating patients with cancer, given issues related to the

potential risks of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 and the degree of severity of COVID-19 as a result

of either innate or iatrogenic cancer-related immunodeficiency.