Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06207487

Clinical and Economic Impact of Herpes Zoster in Cancer Patients

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an important infectious complication among patients with cancer, particularly in the setting of treatment-related immunosuppression. This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to characterize the clinical profile of HZ episodes and estimate direct hospital costs associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations in patients with active malignancy treated at a Brazilian tertiary cancer center. The study also explored associations between cancer characteristics, recent oncologic therapies, and clinical outcomes, including postherpetic neuralgia, recurrence, disease dissemination, and hospital costs. Findings are intended to support future budget impact and cost-effectiveness analyses of herpes zoster vaccination in oncology populations.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Herpes Zoster DNA Virus Infections Herpesviridae Infections Infections Neoplasms Nervous System Diseases Neuralgia Neuralgia, Postherpetic Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Signs and Symptoms Varicella Zoster Virus Infection Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

A.C.Camargo Cancer Center

São Paulo, 01509-001, Brazil

About this study

Herpes zoster (HZ) is associated with substantial morbidity among patients with cancer because of disease-related and treatment-related immunosuppression. Beyond the acute infection, HZ may delay anticancer treatment, increase healthcare utilization, and lead to long-term complications such as postherpetic neuralgia. Despite its clinical relevance, real-world data describing the clinical burden and direct hospital costs of HZ in oncology patients in Brazil remain limited.

This retrospective observational cohort study included adult patients with active cancer diagnosed with herpes zoster between September 2019 and December 2024 at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil. Patients were identified through electronic medical records and institutional infection control databases. Demographic characteristics, cancer type and stage, recent oncologic therapies, clinical presentation, complications, recurrence, and postherpetic neuralgia were evaluated. Direct hospital costs related to emergency department visits and hospitalizations were obtained from institutional administrative databases.

The study was designed to characterize the clinical and economic burden of herpes zoster in oncology patients and to explore associations between oncologic characteristics and clinical and economic outcomes, providing real-world evidence to support future health economic evaluations and vaccination strategies.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adults (≥18 years). Active solid or hematologic malignancy. Evaluation at A.C. Camargo Cancer Center (São Paulo, Brazil) between September 2019 and December 2024.

Clinically confirmed episode of herpes zoster (initial episode or recurrence). Herpes zoster diagnosed based on a typical painful dermatomal rash with polymorphic lesions (macules, papules, vesicles, and crusts), either localized or disseminated.

Exclusion criteria

Age <18 years. No evidence of active malignancy (complete remission or no oncologic treatment for at least one year).

Patients in whom herpes zoster was not confirmed after medical record review.

Treatment and study plan

Herpes Zoster episode

Other

Clinically confirmed herpes zoster episode (initial episode or recurrence) identified through electronic medical records.

Primary outcomes

  1. Clinical characteristics of herpes zoster episodes

    Time frame: September 2019 through December 2024

    Characterization of herpes zoster episodes in adult patients with active cancer, including clinical presentation, dissemination, postherpetic neuralgia, recurrence, cancer type and stage, and recent oncologic therapies.

  2. Direct hospital costs

    Time frame: September 2019 through December 2024

    Estimation of direct hospital costs associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to herpes zoster in patients with active cancer.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postherpetic neuralgia

    Time frame: 3 months after herpes zoster episode

    Occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia, defined as neuropathic pain persisting for at least 3 months after the onset of herpes zoster.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

AC Camargo Cancer Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Clinical and Economic Impact of Herpes Zoster in Cancer Patients - A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Brazilian Cancer Center

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jan 17, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 31, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.