Can convalescent plasma help treat COVID-19?
Can convalescent plasma help treat COVID-19?
This explainer is more than 90 days old. Some of the information might be out of date or no longer relevant. Browse our homepage for up to date content or request information about a specific topic from our team of scientists.
This article has been translated from its original language. Please reach out if you have any feedback on the translation.
When someone has been infected with COVID-19, their body's immune system produces antibodies (special proteins) that work to destroy the virus. These antibodies can usually be found in someone's blood after they recover from the virus, specifically in a portion of the blood called 'plasma.' Antibodies in plasma help an infected person fight off the virus, so researchers are studying whether transferring plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (also called 'convalescent plasma') can help strengthen people's immune systems to fight off the infection. This experimental use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 is not currently an approved treatment by the World Health Organization, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to allow convalescent plasma to be routinely prescribed to patients with COVID-19. However, there are potential benefits to convalescent plasma use that have been demonstrated with other diseases. These benefits are believed to outweigh the potential risks. Given the current lack of scientific evidence, the use of convalescent plasma has not been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On August 23, 2020, however, the administration did issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for investigational convalescent plasma use for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. This means that convalescent plasma is now regulated as an investigational treatment for COVID-19, but it not yet fully approved for use. More than 70,000 patients have received convalescent plasma in the US. Recent studies are inconclusive and have not shown significant benefits for patients who receive convalescent plasma, but more research needs to be conducted before scientists reach a consensus about the benefits vs possible negative impacts plasma may have in patients with COVID-19.
When someone has been infected with COVID-19, their body's immune system produces antibodies (special proteins) that work to destroy the virus. These antibodies can usually be found in someone's blood after they recover from the virus, specifically in a portion of the blood called 'plasma.' Antibodies in plasma help an infected person fight off the virus, so researchers are studying whether transferring plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (also called 'convalescent plasma') can help strengthen people's immune systems to fight off the infection. This experimental use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 is not currently an approved treatment by the World Health Organization, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to allow convalescent plasma to be routinely prescribed to patients with COVID-19. However, there are potential benefits to convalescent plasma use that have been demonstrated with other diseases. These benefits are believed to outweigh the potential risks. Given the current lack of scientific evidence, the use of convalescent plasma has not been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On August 23, 2020, however, the administration did issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for investigational convalescent plasma use for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. This means that convalescent plasma is now regulated as an investigational treatment for COVID-19, but it not yet fully approved for use. More than 70,000 patients have received convalescent plasma in the US. Recent studies are inconclusive and have not shown significant benefits for patients who receive convalescent plasma, but more research needs to be conducted before scientists reach a consensus about the benefits vs possible negative impacts plasma may have in patients with COVID-19.
Publication
What our experts say
When someone has been infected with COVID-19, their body's immune system produces antibodies (special proteins) that work to destroy the virus. These antibodies can usually be found in someone's blood after they recover from the virus, specifically in a portion of the blood called 'plasma.' Antibodies in plasma help an infected person fight off the virus, so researchers are studying whether transferring plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (also called 'convalescent plasma') can help strengthen people's immune systems to fight off the infection.
This experimental use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 is not currently an approved treatment by the World Health Organization, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to allow convalescent plasma to be routinely prescribed to patients with COVID-19. However, there are potential benefits to convalescent plasma use that have been demonstrated with other diseases. These benefits are believed to outweigh the potential risks.
Given the current lack of scientific evidence, the use of convalescent plasma has not been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On August 23, 2020, however, the administration did issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for investigational convalescent plasma use for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. This means that convalescent plasma is now regulated as an investigational treatment for COVID-19, but it not yet fully approved for use.
More than 70,000 patients have received convalescent plasma in the US. Recent studies are inconclusive and have not shown significant benefits for patients who receive convalescent plasma, but more research needs to be conducted before scientists reach a consensus about the benefits vs possible negative impacts plasma may have in patients with COVID-19.
When someone has been infected with COVID-19, their body's immune system produces antibodies (special proteins) that work to destroy the virus. These antibodies can usually be found in someone's blood after they recover from the virus, specifically in a portion of the blood called 'plasma.' Antibodies in plasma help an infected person fight off the virus, so researchers are studying whether transferring plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 (also called 'convalescent plasma') can help strengthen people's immune systems to fight off the infection.
This experimental use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 is not currently an approved treatment by the World Health Organization, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to allow convalescent plasma to be routinely prescribed to patients with COVID-19. However, there are potential benefits to convalescent plasma use that have been demonstrated with other diseases. These benefits are believed to outweigh the potential risks.
Given the current lack of scientific evidence, the use of convalescent plasma has not been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On August 23, 2020, however, the administration did issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for investigational convalescent plasma use for the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. This means that convalescent plasma is now regulated as an investigational treatment for COVID-19, but it not yet fully approved for use.
More than 70,000 patients have received convalescent plasma in the US. Recent studies are inconclusive and have not shown significant benefits for patients who receive convalescent plasma, but more research needs to be conducted before scientists reach a consensus about the benefits vs possible negative impacts plasma may have in patients with COVID-19.
Context and background
Using convalescent plasma from previously infected people to treat sick individuals has been in practice for nearly 100 years, for several diseases including polio, influenza, and Ebola. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood and contains disease-specific antibodies that helped fight the infection in a recovered individual, and that may help fight the infection in a newly infected recipient. As a result, convalescent plasma is being explored as an option for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
In March 2020, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) announced an emergency investigational process to allow doctors to treat serious cases with convalescent plasma. In April 2020, the U.S. FDA announced a National Expanded Access Protocol through the Mayo Clinic that expanded convalescent plasma treatment to include adults at risk of severe disease in addition to adults with severe cases. In August 2020, the U.S. FDA announced an emergency use authorization that authorizes the distribution of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the U.S. and its administration by healthcare providers to treat hospitalized patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. In contrast, the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has issued a statement warning that there is currently insufficient data from studies to recommend the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19. A number of clinical trials are underway to study the efficacy of convalescent plasma in preventing or treating COVID-19 in a range of cases.
More research is still necessary to determine if convalescent plasma is effective and safe as a treatment for COVID-19. Scientists are working to identify whether it might help reduce severity of illness, shorten the duration of illness, or even prevent death associated with COVID-19.
Using convalescent plasma from previously infected people to treat sick individuals has been in practice for nearly 100 years, for several diseases including polio, influenza, and Ebola. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood and contains disease-specific antibodies that helped fight the infection in a recovered individual, and that may help fight the infection in a newly infected recipient. As a result, convalescent plasma is being explored as an option for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
In March 2020, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) announced an emergency investigational process to allow doctors to treat serious cases with convalescent plasma. In April 2020, the U.S. FDA announced a National Expanded Access Protocol through the Mayo Clinic that expanded convalescent plasma treatment to include adults at risk of severe disease in addition to adults with severe cases. In August 2020, the U.S. FDA announced an emergency use authorization that authorizes the distribution of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the U.S. and its administration by healthcare providers to treat hospitalized patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. In contrast, the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has issued a statement warning that there is currently insufficient data from studies to recommend the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19. A number of clinical trials are underway to study the efficacy of convalescent plasma in preventing or treating COVID-19 in a range of cases.
More research is still necessary to determine if convalescent plasma is effective and safe as a treatment for COVID-19. Scientists are working to identify whether it might help reduce severity of illness, shorten the duration of illness, or even prevent death associated with COVID-19.
Resources
- Convalescent Plasma and COVID-19 (JAMA)
- Recommendations for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (U.S. FDA)
- FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Convalescent Plasma as Potential Promising COVID–19 Treatment, Another Achievement in Administration’s Fight Against Pandemic (U.S. FDA)
- COVID-19 and Convalescent Plasma: Frequently Asked Questions (American Society of Hematology)
- Deployment of convalescent plasma for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 (Journal of Clinical Investigation)
- The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel's Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of COVID-19 (U.S. NIH)
- A Randomized Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Covid-19 Severe Pneumonia (NEJM)
- COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (US NIH)
- Convalescent Plasma and COVID-19 (JAMA)
- Recommendations for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (U.S. FDA)
- FDA Issues Emergency Use Authorization for Convalescent Plasma as Potential Promising COVID–19 Treatment, Another Achievement in Administration’s Fight Against Pandemic (U.S. FDA)
- COVID-19 and Convalescent Plasma: Frequently Asked Questions (American Society of Hematology)
- Deployment of convalescent plasma for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 (Journal of Clinical Investigation)
- The COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel's Statement on the Emergency Use Authorization of Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of COVID-19 (U.S. NIH)
- A Randomized Trial of Convalescent Plasma in Covid-19 Severe Pneumonia (NEJM)
- COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (US NIH)
