A COVID-19 prevention trial for immunocompromised people is poised to get under way on the Sunshine Coast.
UniSC Clinical Trials looking for a possible new treatment for the prevention of variants of COVID-19 in people who can’t mount a normal immune response to an infection or vaccine.
The study will take place at the Sunshine Coast trials centre at Sippy Downs.
Principal investigator Dr Robert Scott said despite the rollout of effective vaccines, which have significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, up to three in 10 people remain at risk of severe and fatal COVID-19 due to their inability to mount an adequate immune response.
“We have a lot of applications from people with compromised immune systems who are often disappointed when they are excluded from a trial due to their condition,” he said.
“We’re excited to offer this trial to a group who are keen to advance medical research for immunocompromised people.”
Clinical trials coordinator Lindley Mattiazzi said the team was seeking applications from adults who are taking medications that cause immune impairment, have a cancer diagnosis or have a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or similar and are taking an immune-modulating medication like methotrexate.
“It’s a really specific group of people that we’re looking for, but we think it’s going to provide some really important data to help protect immunocompromised people,” she said.
Eligible participants will be required to attend up to 12 visits at the Sunshine Coast clinic during about 15 months. Extra visits may be needed if participants develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Those interested in participating can find more information at UniSC – Trials.
Scroll down to SUBSCRIBE for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily.
