Recent research finding shows convalescent plasma does not benefit people who are hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Such a result led the NHS Blood and Transplant to temporarily suspend plasma donations.
BBC reported, the said findings are "a blow to researchers and the NHS," which resulted in the drive to collect donations of plasma. "This arm of the Recovery Trial," the news site said, which is investigating several potential COVID-19 treatments, "has now been closed.
Researchers at the University of Oxford who are involved in the study said they are "incredibly grateful" for the patients' contribution across the nation.
'Hope' for the Convalescent Plasma
There had been an intensive global interest in the role of convalescent plasma as a potential treatment for hospital patients who have COVID-19.
This particular treatment involves blood plasma being taken from those who have recovered from the infection, containing antibodies to coronavirus, and transfused into severely ill individuals.
It was hoped that plasma donation would give the struggling immune system of a recipient a boost to combat COVID-19.
In connection to this, the NHS has been advising people to donate, specifically men, who are believed to have higher antibody levels in their blood.
Essentiality of Trials
Earlier, an analysis of more than 1,800 deaths in a study of more than 10,000 patients in the United Kingdom showed the treatment did not make any substantial difference.
In the group that underwent treatment with convalescent plasma, 18 percent of patients, the analysis indicated, "died within 28 days," a similar figure for the group that received standard treatment.
Patients in the research are still being followed up, and, according to the news site, findings will be published soon.
A separate study showed earlier this week that there was no evidence that a similar treatment improved results for patients in intensive care.
According to chief investigator Martin Landray, also a medicine and epidemiology professor at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, "the Recovery trial showed the value" of extensive randomized trials to properly examine the potential treatments' role in this global health crisis.
The trial is still currently examining other possible treatments, which include aspirin, tocilizumab, and an antibody cocktail.
Largest Trial Ever
Professor Peter Horby, who worked on the trial, too, said, this specific trial of convalescent plasma is the largest ever conducted.
He also thanked the recovered patients for their generous plasma donations, not to mention the present patients' willingness "to contribute to advancing medical care," making the largest trial possible.
While the general result came out negative, Horby explained, there is a need to wait for the full results before they could completely understand if convalescent plasma plays any role in specific subgroups of patients.
On January 11, Recovery Trial released an update on its recruitment for its convalescent plasma and tocilizumab treatment arm.
In relation to the said update, the committee recommended that there is a need to pause the recruitment for patients who are being considered for convalescent plasma treatment who need "invasive mechanical ventilation or extra-corporal membranous oxygen or ECMO," a type of life support that helps respiratory function, the Recovery Trial report said.
Check out more news and information on COVID-19 and Convalescent Plasma on Science Times.
