NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been given a one-year grant to lead a nationwide study of convalescent plasma as a possible treatment for COVID-19.
The randomized, controlled trial will test whether plasma – which Vanderbilt describes as the liquid part of blood – collected from COVID-19 survivors can help other hospitalized patients. The plasma contains antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The study will recruit 1,000 participants in approximately 51 sites across the country. They hope to complete enrollment by October 31, and report results by November.
Back in April, VUMC began collecting plasma donations from people who had recovered from the virus. To date, they’ve recruited more than 40 participants.
The medical center says convalescent plasma from COVID-19 survivors is being used nationwide to treat people who are seriously ill with the virus. However, they said to date, there have been only two randomized, controlled clinical trials and both were ended early without definitive results.
The study, called Passive Immunity Trial for Our Nation (PassItOn), was launched thanks to support from the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund.
Vanderbilt says the $34-million grant was awarded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, which is part of the National Institutes of Health.
