The SOAP study: Sars-Cov-2 for Cancer Patients [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The SOAP study: Sars-Cov-2 for Cancer Patients\nImmunological consequences of COVID-19 for cancer patients
IRAS ID
282337
Contact name
Sheeba Irshad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease was first identified in 2019 in China and has since spread globally resulting in the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic. The symptoms of COVID-19 vary from modest, mild to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We currently know little as to the interplay between the extent of clinical symptoms and the compositions of the immune responses. Some patient populations (e.g. the >70yrs or patients with co-morbidities) are prone to develop more severe symptoms and require emergency medical interventions. The data so far available seem to indicate that the viral infection is capable of producing an excessive immune reaction in the infected person; and strategies targeting this reaction are currently underway. However, for cancer patients it is well recognised that the tumour cells can promote inhibitory signals/dampening down of our immune response as a survival mechanism. Specific cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in the context of a dysfunctional immune regulation (e.g. cancers) is still largely unknown. In this study we would like to investigate the different molecular, cellular and immunological aspects of COVID-19 related immune responses in cancer patients from varying symptomatic phases of the infection.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/2031
Date of REC Opinion
23 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion