Jala News – Clinical Trial Investigates Early Intensive Immune Modulation for COVID-19 Patients
A groundbreaking clinical trial has commenced to assess the potential benefits of early intensive immune modulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with mild illness. The trial, being conducted as part of the global clinical trials consortium known as STRIVE, aims to enroll approximately 1,500 individuals at research sites worldwide.
Supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), the study focuses on immune modulators, treatments that alter the immune system’s response to diseases. It is important to note that the optimal timing for administering immune modulators to COVID-19 patients has not yet been determined.
The primary goal of this trial is to ascertain whether introducing a second therapeutic earlier in a patient’s treatment can prevent the progression to severe illness and enhance recovery. To test this hypothesis, researchers are utilizing a drug called abatacept, manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb. Abatacept is currently approved for treating rheumatoid arthritis and various forms of arthritis in adults and children.
Researchers believe that abatacept could also serve as an effective immune modulator for COVID-19 by reducing overactive immune responses. However, participants in the trial must be receiving supplemental low-flow oxygen upon hospitalization for COVID-19 infection. They will then randomly receive either a single intravenous infusion of abatacept or a placebo infusion.
Throughout the trial, patient safety will be closely monitored, and participants’ progress will be tracked for a period of 60 days. The trial forms part of the STRIVE platform, which enables the testing of multiple therapeutic interventions for respiratory infections across various study sites globally.
The STRIVE platform, a component of the NIH’s ACTIV public-private-partnership, is designed to swiftly evaluate new interventions to combat outbreaks of respiratory diseases. Comprising clinical trial experts from diverse medical disciplines, STRIVE seeks to accelerate research efforts and advance the development of effective treatments.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is conducting and supporting the research for the trial. Further information about the trial can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov, providing interested parties with the opportunity to stay updated on the progress of this crucial study.
In summary, this groundbreaking clinical trial aims to investigate the efficacy of early intensive immune modulation for COVID-19 patients with mild illness. Through the utilization of abatacept, researchers hope to prevent the progression to severe illness and enhance recovery in these patients. Supported by the NIH and conducted as part of the STRIVE platform, this trial holds immense potential in advancing our understanding and treatment of COVID-19.
