Characterising the immune response to COVID and viruses in IMIDs [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising the course of COVID-19 and other viral infections in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs)
IRAS ID
286902
Contact name
Peter Irving
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy's and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted society and healthcare. Millions of people have been infected and death rates are unprecedented. There are many challenges that we face in terms of optimising outcomes including the ability to identify biomarkers of poor prognosis. A group of patients who might be at increased risk are those with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, many of whom are treated with immunosuppressive and/or biologic agents.
Although taken by a significant proportion of the population, we have scarce knowledge of the effects of immunomodulating drugs on the course of SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections. This leaves clinicians without any scientific basis to advise whether maintenance therapy should be interrupted, adjusted or continued in patients who have acquired, or been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This uncertainty compounds anxiety, with many patients having to self-isolate without any prospect of resolution. Research to solve this social and medical conundrum is urgently needed. We propose to examine the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in our substantial patient cohort at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London. We will perform immune profiling in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs) with regard to a variety of viral infections including SARS-CoV-2 as well as in healthy controls. In addition, we will monitor groups of patients taking medications for these conditions to assess the prevalence, course and immune response induced by viral infections.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/5339
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion