MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – A WVU Medicine doctor has received Investigational New Drug approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the experimental treatment of COVID-19 using convalescent donor plasma. In the study, plasma from people that have recovered from COVID-19 is given to patients currently fighting the disease.
“Antibodies are proteins that will recognize COVID-19 and they act like suction cups, they stick to things, particularly this virus of interest, the COVID-19 virus,”Dr. Brian Peppers said,”It tells the body to get rid of it in a more efficient manner.”
The study is being done locally and could lead to a breakthrough in treatment nationwide.
“We are trying to secure the plasma to come back to West Virginia to be used regionally and locally,” Dr. Peppers said,”But, also contribute to the national effort.”
Over the last 100 years, convalescent plasma has been used to treat Ebola, H1N1, MERS and the bird influenza.
“Throughout history it is virus dependent, with other coronaviruses it has shown benefits,” Dr. Peppers said,”The therapy will either help, or do no harm.”
Peppers was a guest on WAJRs Talk of the Town and said the therapy has shown promising results in two studies.
“In both studies, although small, five and ten patient studies, everybody survived,” Dr. Peppers said,”It did show marked reductions in viral load and inflammation in the body within days of receiving it.”
While we don’t know if people who have had the virus can fight it effectively, in theory Dr. Peppers says it has worked in the past.
“If you don’t have an immune deficiency, your body should retain the memory of COVID-19, this particular strain,” Dr. Peppers said,”Depending on how well it remembered it will determine your response to it.”