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Immunoadsorption Versus Sham Treatment for Post-COVID Syndrome: A Randomised Sham-Controlled Crossover Trial
Marco Stortz1, Andreas Kommer1, Myriam Meineck1
1I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
The Lancet Regional Health. Europe
|June 19, 2026
Summary
Autoantibody depletion via immunoadsorption did not reduce post-Covid syndrome symptoms in a randomized trial. This treatment showed no significant benefit for patients experiencing long-term post-Covid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Post-Covid syndrome is a significant health concern potentially linked to autoantibodies.
- Autoantibodies may cause or worsen debilitating symptoms experienced by patients with post-Covid syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of immunoadsorption for reducing symptom burden in post-Covid syndrome patients.
- To determine if autoantibody depletion through immunoadsorption can alleviate long-term post-Covid symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, patient-blinded, sham-controlled crossover trial (IAMPOCO) was conducted.
- The study involved 40 patients with post-Covid syndrome, comparing immunoadsorption with sham treatment.
- Outcomes included symptom severity changes, treatment safety, and autoantibody levels against G protein-coupled receptors.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in symptom severity reduction was observed between immunoadsorption and sham treatment.
- Immunoadsorption successfully depleted autoantibodies against G protein-coupled receptors, while sham treatment did not.
- Adverse events were reported in both groups, with a higher number during or after immunoadsorption.
Conclusions:
- Immunoadsorption was not effective in reducing the overall symptom burden for patients with post-Covid syndrome.
- While effective in depleting specific autoantibodies, immunoadsorption did not translate to clinical symptom improvement in this study.
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