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Fase I Clinical Trial on NK Cells for COVID-19

Fase I Clinical Trial on Natural Killer Cells for COVID-19

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04634370
Enrollment
24
Registered
2020-11-18
Start date
2021-01-02
Completion date
2021-03-30
Last updated
2020-11-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Covid19, Sars-cov 2

Keywords

Natural Killer Cells, COVID-19, Sars-CoV2

Brief summary

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide and has become a public health emergency of major international concern. Currently, no specific drugs or vaccines are available. This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of intravenous infusion of natural killer cells patients with COVID-19.

Detailed description

In March 2020, the World Health Organization secreted COVID-19 as a pandemic. Although most infected individuals can develop effective immunity, the population at risk (elderly, obese and individual with comorbidities) develop a rapid and frequently fatal disease, with severe acute respiratory syndrome, cytokine storm and coagulopathies; for those who recover, severe pulmonary sequels are frequently observed. We propose a phase I clinical trial to test safety and feasibility of NK cells adoptive immunotherapy for COVID-19. Natural Killer cells are innate granular lymphocytes able to rapidly recognize and kill, without previous exposition, altered cells; it is widely recognized as immune effectors specialized in lysing virus infected cells releasing antigens and activating cytokines to antigen presenting cells and, by doing so, stimulating effective adaptive immunity. We hypothesize that the early infusion of highly activated NK cells will activate adaptive immune effectors preventing the severe clinical evolution of COVID-19 infection. Adoptive NK cell immunotherapy for severe virus infections is innovative. Our proposition is in line with the Brazilian Public Health system purposes, which is to offer secure and effective therapies for all COVID-19 infected individuals. Upon proving NK cell immunotherapy effectiveness for serious virus infections, we can evolve to test this strategy for common viruses that cause epidemics and endemics such as the ones caused by Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, C and B hepatitis and HIV.

Interventions

BIOLOGICALNatural Killer Cells infusion

Each patient will receive on dose of intravenous natural killer cell in following levels: Level 1 : 1x106 cells/kg body weight (patients 1 to 3) Level 2: 5x106 cells/kg body weight (patients 4 to 6) Level 3: 1x107 cells/kg body weight (patients 7 to 24)

Sponsors

Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Laboratory confirmation of COVID19 infection by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); * The patient or legal donor agrees to participate in the study and signs the informed consent; * Patients with white or yellow criteria according to the score proposed by Liao et al (2020).

Exclusion criteria

* Patient with pregnancy, are planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding; * Patients with malignant blood-borne diseases such as HIV or syphilis; * Not consenting for clinical trial; * Patients with other than white or yellow criteria according to the score proposed by Liao et al (2020).

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Changes on inflammatory C-reactive protein60 daysTo assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the proposed treatment with assessment of the levels of C-reactive protein (mg/dL)
Hospital stay60 daysdays of the patients in hospital
Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2)60 daysEvaluation of functional respiratory changes: PaO2 / FiO2 ratio
Improvement in Liao's score (2020)60 daysImprovement in Liao's score (2020)
Radiological improvement60 daysComputed tomography Chest assesment will be done to assess improvement in radiological findings of COVID-19
Overall survival30 daysAssessment of Overall survival at 30 days post intervention

Countries

Brazil

Contacts

Primary ContactLucia Silla, MD, PhD
lsilla@hcpa.edu.br55 51 33598371
Backup ContactAnnelise Pezzi, PhD
annepezzi@gmail.com

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026