Cancer Patients Face Elevated Risk of Carrying Antimicrobial Resistant 'Superbugs'

Rhea-AI Summary

New groundbreaking studies published in The Lancet Oncology and Cancer Medicine reveal that cancer patients face significantly higher risks of developing antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections compared to non-cancer patients. The research, conducted by the Cancer and AMR Consortium including BD (NYSE: BDX), analyzed over 1.6 million bacterial isolates from 198 outpatient facilities and 4.6 million hospital admissions in the U.S. Key findings show AMR rates were 1-3 times higher in cancer patients, with some specific pathogen combinations up to 5 times greater in outpatient settings. For hospitalized cancer patients, the risk was 1.5-2 times higher. The studies highlight critical concerns about AMR's impact on cancer treatment effectiveness, particularly for innovative therapies like CAR T-cell therapy, and emphasize the need for enhanced infection prevention programs and diagnostic tools.

Positive

• BD's involvement in groundbreaking research strengthens its position in diagnostic and infection prevention markets
• Study findings could drive increased demand for BD's rapid diagnostic tools and infection prevention solutions
• Research collaboration with prestigious organizations (UICC, AMR Action Fund) demonstrates BD's leadership in healthcare

Negative

• Rising AMR rates could impact the effectiveness of cancer treatments, potentially affecting related medical product demand
• Increased focus on infection prevention may require additional R&D investment from BD
• Growing AMR threat could lead to stricter regulations and protocols in medical settings

Insights

Healthcare Policy Analyst

BD-involved research reveals cancer patients face significantly higher antimicrobial resistance rates, positioning BD's diagnostic and infection prevention solutions favorably in combating this threat.

This groundbreaking research led by the Cancer and AMR Consortium—which includes BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)—provides critically important epidemiological evidence that cancer patients face substantially elevated risks from antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections. The dual studies published in prestigious journals examined over 1.6 million bacterial isolates from outpatient facilities and 4.6 million hospital admissions, representing the first large-scale quantification of this problem in U.S. cancer patients.

The findings are particularly alarming: AMR rates among key pathogens were 1-3 times higher overall in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients, with some specific combinations showing 5-fold higher resistance rates in outpatient settings. For hospitalized cancer patients, AMR infections were 1.5-2 times more likely.

These results have profound implications for cancer treatment protocols. As highlighted by study co-author Dr. Martei, antimicrobial resistance threatens to undermine both standard cancer treatments and cutting-edge innovations like CAR T-cell therapy and immunotherapies—treatments that depend on effective antimicrobial support.

BD's strategic involvement in this research aligns perfectly with their portfolio of infection prevention and diagnostic solutions. The study explicitly calls for "enhanced infection prevention programs," "diagnostic stewardship," and "rapid diagnostic tools"—all areas where BD maintains significant market presence. This positions BD to provide solutions to the very problem their research has documented, potentially driving demand for their antimicrobial stewardship technologies, rapid diagnostic platforms, and infection prevention products across cancer treatment centers nationwide.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First-of-their-kind studies published in The Lancet Oncology¹ and Cancer Medicine² provide new data showing that cancer patients in both hospital and outpatient settings are at a substantially higher risk of developing antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections compared to all other non-cancer patients.

Key Takeaways:

• The studies, led by the Cancer and AMR Consortium, which includes BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), and the AMR Action Fund, found AMR rates among key pathogens were 1 to 3 times higher, and up to 5 times greater with some specific pathogen-source combinations in outpatient cancer patients;³ and 1.5 to 2 times more likely in hospitalized cancer patients as compared to non-cancer patients2.
• Studies examined data on more than 1.6 million bacterial isolates collected from 198 outpatient facilities in the U.S. and more than 4.6 million admissions across 168 U.S. hospitals.

Together, the two studies, which are understood to be the first large, multi-center studies to quantify AMR among cancer patients in the U.S., offer some of the strongest evidence to date that superbugs pose a substantial risk to cancer patients across a variety of settings. 

"As an oncologist, my ability to effectively treat a patient's cancer is predicated on the idea that antibiotics will both cure and prevent potentially fatal infections throughout their course of care," said study co-author Yehoda Martei, MD, University of Pennsylvania. "The rapid emergence of AMR among oncology patients will affect cancer care, including the possibility of undermining new innovations such as CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies, given the risk of immunosuppression and opportunistic infections associated with these therapies."

The rise of AMR is rapidly diminishing the effectiveness of available antimicrobial medicines, contributing to approximately 4.7 million deaths per year.⁴ Antibiotics and other antimicrobials like antifungals play a critical role in cancer care, both as a treatment for infections and as a preventative treatment to reduce the risk of infections associated with certain medical procedures, such as surgery or chemotherapy.

"These studies highlight a critical need for enhanced infection prevention programs, focused antibiotic and diagnostic stewardship, and an increased use of rapid diagnostic tools," said corresponding author Diane Flayhart, director Global Public Health at BD. "While we expected cancer patients to be at an increased risk of superbugs, we were surprised at the high proportion of AMR pathogens compared to non-cancer patients, especially in outpatient settings. It shows just how vulnerable cancer patients are to these dangerous pathogens." 

Read more in The Lancet Oncology: "Incidence and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in outpatients with cancer: a multicentre retrospective cohort study."

About BD

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its more than 70,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/, X (formerly Twitter) @BDandCo or Instagram @becton_dickinson. 

1	Incidence and prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in outpatients with cancer: a multicentre retrospective cohort study," Vikas Gupta, Michael J. Satlin, Kalvin Yu, Yehoda M. Martei, Lillian Sung, Lars F. Westblade, Scott C. Howard, ChinEn Ai, Diane C. Flayhart, The Lancet Oncology, online April 30, 2025, doi: added after embargo.
2	"Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance in Adult Hospitalized Patients With Cancer: A Multicenter Analysis," Vikas Gupta, Michael J. Satlin, Kalvin Yu, Yehoda M. Martei, Lillian Sung, Lars F. Westblade, Scott C. Howard, ChinEn Ai, Diane C. Flayhart, Cancer Medicine, online December 13, 2024, doi: 10.1002/cam4.70495
3	AMR rates among key pathogens were 1 to 3 times higher overall in cancer patients, with some specific pathogen-source combinations such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) more than 5 times greater for cancer patients in outpatient settings compared to patients without cancer.
4	https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

Contact: 
Jessica Offerjost
BD Public Relations
jessica.offerjost@bd.com 

 

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SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)

FAQ

What did BD's new study reveal about cancer patients and antimicrobial resistance?

The study revealed that cancer patients have 1-3 times higher AMR rates overall, with some specific pathogen combinations up to 5 times greater in outpatient settings, and hospitalized cancer patients are 1.5-2 times more likely to develop AMR infections compared to non-cancer patients.

How many facilities and patients were included in BD's AMR cancer research?

The research analyzed data from over 1.6 million bacterial isolates collected from 198 outpatient facilities and more than 4.6 million admissions across 168 U.S. hospitals.

What are the implications of AMR for cancer treatment according to BD's research?

AMR could undermine cancer treatments, including new innovations like CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies, due to the risk of immunosuppression and opportunistic infections associated with these therapies.

What solutions does BD recommend for addressing AMR in cancer patients?

BD recommends enhanced infection prevention programs, focused antibiotic and diagnostic stewardship, and increased use of rapid diagnostic tools to address AMR in cancer patients.

How many deaths are attributed to antimicrobial resistance annually?

According to the study, antimicrobial resistance contributes to approximately 4.7 million deaths per year globally.