COVImmune [COVID-19}
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immunophenotyping patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
IRAS ID
284088
Contact name
Nishkantha Arulkumaran
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospital Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 6 days
Research summary
The COVID-19 pandemic represents the greatest global public health crisis of this generation. To date, over 30,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK alone. It is anticipated that there will be several new cases of COVID-19 within the UK and the number of cases and deaths globally continues to rise. Yet, little is known about the underlying mechanism of disease and how it leads to death. No proven effective therapies for this virus exist.\nAlthough many patients remain asymptomatic, few develop life-threatening illness with multiorgan failure and risk of death. A significant factor in developing severe disease appears to be the body’s immune response to the virus. The body produces an appropriate inflammatory response in order to fight the infection. However, this can be excessive and cause collateral damage to the rest of the body. This has been referred to as ’hyperinflammation’. A tendency to form clots has also been identified, which is often seen in hyperinflammatory conditions.\nA number of therapeutic strategies have been proposed based on the clinical hyperinflammatory and hypercoagulable phenotype of patients. However, the clinical phenotypes seen in COVID-19 could be characterised in greater detail in relation to the potential therapies. This will allow us to target treatment to the patients most likely to benefit, whilst avoiding treatment where risks may outweigh benefit. \nThe main objective of this study is to gain a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms that underlie critical illness secondary to COVID-19. At UCLH, a number of patients with COVID-19 have been treated and their clinical details as well as stored serum samples provides an opportunity to elucidate the mechanism of disease as well as identifying patients at high risk of critical illness and death. A prompt coordinated approach from the scientific and clinical expertise at UCLH is required.
REC name
London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/2505
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion