Some people continue to have serious symptoms long after COVID-19, such as extreme fatigue and feeling worse after activity. In some patients, this may happen because the immune system is attacking the body by mistake. This study will test a treatment called immunoadsorption, which filters the blood to remove harmful antibodies. People with long COVID who have these antibodies will be randomly assigned to receive either the real treatment or a placebo. The main goal is to see whether fatigue improves after one month, and whether other symptoms and daily functioning improve over six months. This research will help us find out if this treatment can benefit the group of long COVID patients with immune-related disease.
Growing evidence indicates that autoantibodies may drive symptoms in a subset of people with long COVID, as demonstrated by symptom transfer to mice following administration of IgG from affected patients. This provides a strong rationale for targeted immunotherapy aimed at removing pathogenic antibodies. Immunoadsorption is a well-established method to reduce circulating IgG, but studies suggest that only a specific subgroup of patients benefits. Using HuProt autoantibody microarray technology, we identified several autoantibodies uniquely present in long COVID patients compared with healthy controls. We subsequently developed and validated a disease-specific Luminex multiplex immunoassay to detect this autoimmune phenotype. This study will use these findings as a novel selection method of identifying long COVID patients with pathogenic IgG, thereby enriching the population most likely to benefit from immunoadsorption therapy. This biomarker-guided personalized medicine approach could enhance treatment efficacy and advances long COVID therapeutic strategies. Additionally, the placebo-controlled and double blinded design will be needed to evaluate the true potential of autoantibodies adsorption therapy in long COVID. This study can add to our understanding on the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of long COVID and could help in the development of precision-based immunotherapy for patients such as immunoadsorption.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
70
Immunoadsorption will be performed using tryptophan columns, which bind the Fc region of IgG via hydrophobic and aromatic interactions.
The immunoadsorption column will be removed from the device, so that the patient's blood passes through the system and is returned to the body without undergoing adsorption or removal of antibodies.
AUMC
Amsterdam, Netherlands
RECRUITINGChange in fatigue measured by the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS)
Score range 10-50 (10 items, Likert scale 1-5). Higher scores indicate more severe fatigue (worse). The difference in scores from baseline will be measured (MCID of 4 points) as the primary outcome.
Time frame: At baseline and 28 days after start treatment
Change in health related quality of life using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)
Eight domains scored from 0-100. Domain scores are commonly summarized into the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) (norm-based, mean 50, SD 10). Higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life and functioning.
Time frame: At baseline and days 28, 60, 90, and 180
Change in cognitive functioning using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Cognitive Function Short Form 8a (PROMIS Cognitive Function Short Form 8a)
Raw scores are converted to T-scores (20-80), with a population mean of 50 (SD 10). Higher scores indicate better cognitive functioning. Change in score will be measured (MCID 3-5).
Time frame: At baseline and days 28, 60, 90, and 180
Change in autonomic symptoms using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31)
0-100 weighted total score across six domains: orthostatic intolerance, vasomotor, secretomotor, gastrointestinal, bladder, and pupillomotor symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater autonomic symptom burden.
Time frame: At baseline and days 28, 60, 90, and 180
Incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) related to the intervention
All AEs and SAEs will be recorded, graded according to CTCAE v5.0, and assessed for relatedness to the study treatment. Specific attention will be given to complications of extracorporeal procedures (e.g., hypotension, bleeding, allergic reactions, infection, and vascular access issues)
Time frame: From first study intervention through day 180
Repeated Handgrip Strength
Handgrip strength will be assessed using a calibrated handheld dynamometer at four standardized measurement points in accordance with the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) guidelines. Grip strength will be recorded in kilograms (kg). Higher grip strength reflects better muscle function.
Time frame: At baseline and days 28, 60, 90, and 180
Orthostatic intolerance using the NASA lean test
The NASA Lean Test is a standardized active standing test used to assess orthostatic intolerance. Participants rest in a supine position followed by an active standing phase while leaning against a wall to minimize skeletal muscle pumping. Heart rate and blood pressure are measured at predefined intervals during standing. Abnormal heart rate and/or blood pressure responses during the test indicate orthostatic intolerance.
Time frame: At baseline and days 28 and 180
Efficacy treatment by measuring immunoglobuline titers
Immunoglobulin G titers will be measured in blood samples using standardized laboratory assays and reported as concentrations (g/L).
Time frame: At baseline (prior to treatment initiation), during treatment, and at days 28 and 180 after treatment initiation.
Autoantibody score using an in-house Luminex assay
For this assay, IgG will be isolated from patient serum samples obtained during screening and analyzed using a Luminex-based multiplex immunoassay targeting a panel of 15 validated autoantigens. A weighted scoring system is applied to the resulting autoantibody signals.
Time frame: At screening and on days 28, 60, 90, and 180
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.