Clinical study on passive immunization for COVID-19 started
04.05.2020 15:26
After being infected with the new coronavirus, people usually produce specific antibodies that could help patients with acute COVID-19 disease cope with the disease. However, the effectiveness of therapy with antibodies found in the blood of those who have recovered has not yet been sufficiently scientifically proven. Therefore, experts from the German Society for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology (DGTI) have started the Germany-wide CAPSID study. The aim is to find out whether and how antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 work in patients acutely suffering from COVID-19.
“The aim of the study is to obtain a scientifically proven basis for the treatment of COVID-19 with convalescent plasma,” explains Professor Dr. med. Hermann Eichler, 1st Chairman of the DGTI, explained the motives for the investigation. The so-called CAPSID study has now started across Germany. This is a prospective and controlled multicenter study. The scientific management lies with the DGTI experts Professor Dr. med. Hubert Schrezenmeier, Medical Director and Medical Director of the Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, and Professor Dr. med. Erhard Seifried, Medical Director and Medical Director of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology Frankfurt am Main.
“Convalescent plasma, which contains antibodies against the disease that has been overcome, could be used across the board to treat severe cases of COVID-19. In the study, we are therefore examining how exactly the respective antibodies that those who have recovered work, i.e. the principle of action. “On the other hand, we are investigating how safe and effective it is to administer the antibodies for treatment,” explains Eichler, explaining the central questions of the study.
Since the antibodies were not produced by the recipient themselves, this procedure is referred to as so-called passive immunization, as is also used for tetanus and rabies when there is insufficient vaccination protection against a possible infection. “The antibodies are intended to support the immune system of the sick and mitigate dramatic progression by intercepting the coronaviruses so that they do not multiply any further,” explains Eichler, who is also director of the Institute for Clinical Hemostasis and Transfusion Medicine at Saarland University in Homburg.
In the last few days and weeks, people who have recovered from an infection with the new coronavirus have been called upon to donate plasma. Those who are eligible for donation are those who meet all the criteria for a regular blood donation, have not shown any symptoms of illness for two weeks and no viruses can be detected in their smear. The researchers expect the first interim results of the CAPSID study in just a few months.