Research finds hospitalization for COVID-19 linked to increased lung cancer risk — Evidence Review

Severe cases of COVID-19 and influenza may increase the risk of developing lung cancer years later, but vaccination appears to prevent these harmful changes, according to new research from UVA Health’s Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research (original source{:target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}). Existing studies generally support the notion that severe respiratory infections carry long-term health risks, though most prior work has focused on short-term outcomes in cancer patients rather than the risk of developing cancer after infection.

• Prior research consistently shows that cancer patients fare worse when infected with COVID-19 or influenza, experiencing higher rates of severe illness and mortality, but there has been limited direct evidence linking prior severe infection to an increased risk of developing new cancers such as lung cancer 1 2 3 4.
• Some studies highlight that both active and former cancer patients are more susceptible to severe outcomes from respiratory infections, supporting the importance of vaccination and enhanced monitoring—recommendations echoed by the new study 6 7 9 10.
• The new findings expand on previous work by suggesting that the immune changes caused by severe viral infections may create a tumor-promoting environment in the lungs, a mechanism not previously characterized in detail in human or animal studies 11 13 14.

Study Overview and Key Findings

Respiratory infections like COVID-19 and influenza have been recognized for their acute effects on vulnerable populations, such as individuals with cancer or chronic lung disease. Less is known, however, about the long-term consequences of severe viral pneumonia, especially regarding the risk of developing cancer in previously healthy individuals. This study is notable for investigating the biological pathways by which severe infection may predispose to cancer, focusing on immune cell alterations and the role of vaccination in mitigating these effects. The research also integrates both animal models and human clinical data to explore this risk.

Property	Value
Study Year	2026
Organization	UVA Health’s Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research, UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, UVA School of Medicine
Journal Name	Cell
Authors	Jie Sun, Wei Qian, Xiaoqin Wei, Andrew J. Barros, Xiangyu Ye, Haibo Zhang, Qing Yu, Samuel P. Young, Eric V Yeatts, Yury Park, Chaofan Li, Sijie Hao, Gislane Almeida-Santos, Jinyi Tang, Harish Narasimhan, Nicole A Kirk, Valeria Molinary, Ying Li, Li Li, Bimal N. Desai, Peter Chen, Kwon-Sik Park, Anny Xiaobo, Jeffrey M. Sturek, Wei Chen, In Su Cheon, Sun
Population	Mice and human patients with severe respiratory infections
Methods	Animal Study
Outcome	Lung cancer risk associated with severe COVID-19 and flu
Results	Hospitalization for COVID-19 was linked to a 1.24-fold increase in lung cancer risk.

Literature Review: Related Studies

To contextualize these findings, we searched the Consensus database, which contains over 200 million research papers. The following search queries were used to identify relevant studies:

1. COVID-19 hospitalization lung cancer risk
2. influenza hospitalization cancer outcomes
3. long-term effects COVID flu lung health

Below is a summary of key topics and findings from the related literature:

Topic	Key Findings
Does severe respiratory infection increase the risk or worsen outcomes in cancer patients?	- Cancer patients with COVID-19 or influenza have higher risks of severe events and mortality than non-cancer patients 1 2 3 4 6 8. - Patient-specific factors like age, comorbidities, and smoking status strongly influence outcomes 4.
What are the long-term effects of COVID-19 and influenza on lung and general health?	- A significant proportion of survivors, regardless of initial severity, experience persistent symptoms including respiratory and cognitive effects for months after infection 11 12 13 14 15. - Abnormal lung function and imaging findings are common in the months following severe infection 14 15.
How effective are vaccines in reducing infection-related complications in cancer and general populations?	- Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 may reduce hospitalization, mortality, and infection-related complications in cancer patients, though evidence quality varies 6 7 9 10. - Vaccination is associated with modest but meaningful protection even in immunosuppressed populations 7 10.
Are cancer survivors or patients with prior respiratory infections at elevated risk from future infections or cancer?	- Cancer survivors have increased risk of severe outcomes from both COVID-19 and influenza, suggesting ongoing vulnerability 9. - There is limited direct evidence linking prior severe respiratory infection to new cancer development, but immune and lung changes post-infection are well-documented 9 11 14.

Does severe respiratory infection increase the risk or worsen outcomes in cancer patients?

The literature consistently shows that individuals with cancer are more susceptible to severe illness and higher mortality when infected with COVID-19 or influenza. While most studies focus on outcomes in those already diagnosed with cancer, rather than new cancer risk, the findings underscore the vulnerability of this population to respiratory infections.

• Multiple studies report high rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death among cancer patients infected with COVID-19 or influenza 1 2 3 4 6 8.
• Patient-specific characteristics, such as older age, pre-existing lung conditions, and smoking history, are primary determinants of severe outcomes 4.
• Active treatment (e.g., recent chemotherapy) further increases the risk of severe complications following infection 1 2.
• These observations support the new study’s recommendation for enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies in at-risk populations.

What are the long-term effects of COVID-19 and influenza on lung and general health?

Long-term symptoms and functional impairments are common after COVID-19 and influenza, even among those who experienced only mild acute illness. Persistent respiratory symptoms, abnormal lung imaging, and cognitive issues are frequently reported.

• Systematic reviews find that fatigue, breathlessness, and abnormal lung function persist for months in a substantial portion of survivors 11 13 14 15.
• Lung imaging abnormalities and reduced pulmonary function can last up to 12 months after infection, especially in those who had severe disease 14.
• Long-term sequelae are not limited to previously ill or hospitalized patients; even young, otherwise healthy individuals can experience lasting effects 12.
• These findings align with the new study’s emphasis on the lasting biological impact of severe infections on lung tissue and immune function.

How effective are vaccines in reducing infection-related complications in cancer and general populations?

Available evidence suggests that vaccination reduces the risk of severe outcomes, hospitalizations, and potentially long-term complications from respiratory infections, including in cancer patients. However, the degree of protection varies, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals.

• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are associated with lower rates of hospitalization and mortality in cancer patients, though vaccine effectiveness is lower in those with hematologic malignancies 6 7 9 10.
• The protective benefit of vaccination remains significant for solid tumor patients, including those receiving active chemotherapy 10.
• Vaccination is recommended for both cancer patients and survivors to mitigate ongoing risks 6 7 9 10.
• The new study’s observation that vaccination prevents the immune changes linked to increased cancer risk extends these findings to a new dimension of long-term disease prevention.

Are cancer survivors or patients with prior respiratory infections at elevated risk from future infections or cancer?

The literature indicates that cancer survivors remain at higher risk for severe outcomes from subsequent respiratory infections. While direct links between past severe infections and new cancer development are sparse, ongoing immune dysregulation and pulmonary abnormalities are recognized.

• Cancer survivors, particularly those with hematologic cancers, face persistently increased risks of hospitalization and death from respiratory infections for years after diagnosis 9.
• There is limited direct evidence of increased cancer incidence following severe respiratory infection, but immune and lung changes after infection are well-documented and may contribute to long-term risk 9 11 14.
• The new study is among the first to propose and mechanistically investigate the possibility that severe infection could promote a tumor-friendly environment in the lungs.
• These insights highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and preventive care in survivors of severe respiratory illnesses.

Future Research Questions

Further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying infection-related cancer risk, identify at-risk populations, and optimize preventive strategies. The following research questions address these gaps:

Research Question	Relevance
Does severe COVID-19 increase the long-term risk of lung cancer?	Understanding this association is critical for developing guidelines on cancer screening and surveillance for COVID-19 survivors 9 11 14.
What are the biological mechanisms linking severe respiratory infection to cancer development?	Identifying the specific immune and tissue changes that facilitate tumor growth could guide the development of targeted therapies and preventive interventions 11 14.
How effective are vaccines in preventing long-term lung damage and cancer after infection?	Assessing the protective benefits of vaccination beyond acute disease prevention could inform public health strategies and resource allocation 6 7 10.
Which patient populations are at highest risk for post-infection lung cancer?	Defining risk factors such as age, smoking history, genetic predisposition, or comorbidities will help prioritize surveillance and preventive care 4 9 14.
Can interventions after severe infection reduce future cancer risk?	Investigating the efficacy of early interventions (e.g., anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating therapies) could offer new approaches to reducing long-term cancer risk 11 14.

---

This article synthesizes current knowledge on the relationship between severe respiratory infections, long-term lung health, and cancer risk, highlighting the need for continued research, preventive strategies, and vigilant monitoring in vulnerable populations.