Investigating immune defects in primary and secondary immunodeficiency [COVID-19] [UPH]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating and characterising primary and secondary immunodeficiency in adults and children
IRAS ID
96194
Contact name
Helen E Baxendale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Departments of Clinical Immunology at Papworth and Addenbrookes NHS Healthcare Trusts look after adults and children with primary and secondary immunodeficiency. In some cases, the monogenic cause of primary immunodeficiency is understood however for the majority of our patients, the exact nature of the immunodeficiency is poorly understood. This lack of understanding limits the potential for clinical management improvement. \n\nIn this study we will be coordinating collaborative research across multiple NHS Trusts to extend existing NHS funded clinical laboratory immune profiling to characterize in more detail the nature of immune deficiency in patients presenting to our clinical service. This ethics application is to ensure that this study which bridges the clinical investigation/clinical research interface is run through a research governance framework. As such, this is an ‘umbrella’ ethics application to ensure that the breadth of new clinical research tools are applied within an appropriate ethical framework. The study will involve more comprehensive immune phenotype and molecular repertoire assessments than are currently available in the routine clinical laboratories in addition to the development of new assays to assess functional immune responses to common infectious pathogens and/or vaccine antigens. In addition, for selected patients, whole genome analysis will be arranged in collaboration with the University of Cambridge to identify the genetic cause of the presenting immunodeficiency. \n\nThe study will involve the collection of additional blood samples at a time when the patient will normally be bled as part of clinical monitoring. White blood cells, serum and DNA will be isolated to assess functional immunity, lymphocyte diversity and in selected case genetic susceptibility traits. It is anticipated that these studies will improve the understanding of important mechanisms of immunity in humans and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to patients with primary immunodeficiency.\n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
12/WA/0148
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2012
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion