Prognosis and aetiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with active lung or lower head and neck cancer (PEPP-C): a retrospective, matched multicentre cohort study in Germany and Spain - Summary - MDSpire

Prognosis and aetiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with active lung or lower head and neck cancer (PEPP-C): a retrospective, matched multicentre cohort study in Germany and Spain

  • By

  • Sina M. Pütz

  • Marie Engelhard

  • Sebastian M. Wingen-Heimann

  • David F. Brilz

  • Brune Akrich

  • Heike Kohl

  • Annika Y. Classen

  • Carlota Gudiol

  • Enric Sastre-Escola

  • Franziska C. Trudzinski

  • Arturo Olivares Rivera

  • Eva Lücke

  • Tadeusz Marczewski

  • Ayham Daher

  • Stephan Eisenmann

  • Jacqueline Schmitz

  • Anke Reinacher-Schick

  • Julia von Tresckow

  • Rebekka Mispelbaum

  • Tessa Hattenhauer

  • J. Janne Vehreschild

  • May 4, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To analyze the risk factors and treatment strategies for HAP, vHAP, and VAP, and their impact on clinical and oncological outcomes in patients with lung and lower head and neck cancer.

Key Findings:
  • Patients with lung or lower head and neck cancer are at high risk for HAP and VAP due to immunosuppression from cancer treatments.
  • HAP and VAP significantly increase mortality and prolong hospital stays.
  • Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, advanced disease, hypoalbuminemia, inpatient status, advanced age, smoking, COPD, and neutropenia.
  • Exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics before immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is linked to worse survival outcomes.
Interpretation:

The study highlights the critical need for effective management strategies to reduce the incidence of pneumonia in cancer patients, as it adversely affects treatment outcomes and survival.

Limitations:
  • Retrospective design may introduce bias.
  • Limited generalizability due to specific patient population and geographical focus.
  • Potential confounding factors not accounted for in matching, such as comorbidities or treatment variations.
Conclusion:

HAP and VAP are significant complications in patients with lung and lower head and neck cancers, necessitating improved preventive and treatment strategies to enhance patient outcomes.

Original Source(s)

Prognosis and aetiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with active lung or lower head and neck cancer (PEPP-C): a retrospective, matched multicentre cohort study in Germany and Spain

  • by Sina M. Pütz, Marie Engelhard, Sebastian M. Wingen-Heimann, David F. Brilz, Brune Akrich, Heike Kohl, Annika Y. Classen, Carlota Gudiol, Enric Sastre-Escola, Franziska C. Trudzinski, Arturo Olivares Rivera, Eva Lücke, Tadeusz Marczewski, Ayham Daher, Stephan Eisenmann, Jacqueline Schmitz, Anke Reinacher-Schick, Julia von Tresckow, Rebekka Mispelbaum, Tessa Hattenhauer, J. Janne Vehreschild

  • May 4, 2026

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