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Effectiveness and Controversy of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients
Zhanjun Shu1,2, Peipei Wu2, Qianqian Qian2
1Research Institute of TCM of Affiliated Fourth Hospital in Xinjiang Medical University, Urumuqi, Xinjiang 830000, China.
Insights
Convalescent plasma (CP), derived from recovered COVID-19 patients, shows potential as a valuable treatment. Further research is needed to establish optimal protocols and confirm its efficacy and safety for treating coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates exploring diverse therapeutic options beyond conditional treatments like remdesivir.
- Convalescent plasma (CP) contains antibodies from recovered individuals, offering a potential immunotherapeutic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and controversies surrounding convalescent plasma (CP) as a treatment for COVID-19.
- To discuss the potential indications and contraindications for CP therapy in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Review and discussion of existing data and clinical observations regarding convalescent plasma use in COVID-19.
- Exploration of the theoretical basis for CP efficacy, including antibody content and neutralization capacity.
Main Results:
- Convalescent plasma (CP) is suggested to play a role in treating COVID-19, though its precise impact requires further elucidation.
- The study highlights the need for standardized procedures for CP collection, preservation, transport, and transfusion.
Conclusions:
- Establishing standardized protocols and conducting large-scale randomized controlled trials are critical to confirm CP's efficacy, optimal dosage, timing, and frequency for COVID-19 treatment.
- Proactive measures to prevent adverse outcomes associated with CP transfusion are essential for its safe application.
Abstract:
Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began to spread, it remains pandemic worldwide. The European Medicines Agency's human medicines committee and Food and Drug Administration have only granted a conditional marketing authorization for remdesivir to treat COVID-19. It is essential to apply other valuable treatments. Convalescent plasma (CP), donated by persons who have recovered from COVID-19, is the cellular component of blood that contains specific antibodies. Therefore, to determine the feasibility of CP for COVID-19, the effectiveness and controversy are discussed in depth here. It is suggested that CP plays a certain role in the treatment of COVID-19. As a treatment, it may have its own indications and contraindications, which need to be further discussed. Meanwhile, it is critical to establish a standard procedure for treatment from CP collection, preservation, transport, to transfusion, and conduct some large sample randomized controlled trials to confirm the transfusion dosage, appropriate time, frequency, and actively prevent adverse outcomes that may occur.
