Establishment and clinical application of SARS-CoV-2 catch column

Abstract

Background A certain number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 , particularly those who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the serum, are hospitalized. Further, some even die. We examined the effect of blood adsorption therapy using columns that can eliminate SARS-CoV-2 on the improvement of the prognosis of severe COVID-19 patients. Methods This study enrolled seven patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The patients received viral adsorption therapy using SARS-catch column for 3 days. The SARS-catch column was developed by immobilizing a specific peptide, designed based on the sequence of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), to an endotoxin adsorption column (PMX). In total, eight types of SARS-CoV-2-catch (SCC) candidate peptides were developed. Then, a clinical study on the effects of blood adsorption therapy using the SARS-catch column in patients with severe COVID-19 was performed, and the data in the present study were compared with historical data of severe COVID-19 patients. Results Among all SCC candidate peptides, SCC-4N had the best adsorption activity against SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-catch column using SCC-4N removed 65% more SARS-CoV-2 than PMX. Compared with historical data, the weaning time from mechanical ventilation was faster in the present study. In addition, the rate of negative blood viral load in the present study was higher than that in the historical data. ConclusionThe timely treatment with virus adsorption therapy may eliminate serum SARS-CoV-2 and improve the prognosis of patients with severe COVID-19. However, large-scale studies must be performed in the future to further assess the finding of this study (jRCTs052200134).

Blood levels of d-amino acids reflect the clinical course of COVID-19

“…The details of this observational study was described previously [ 8 ]. In brief, the original study a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new virus adsorption therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 infection in Japan (CATCH-COVID, Japan Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: 052200134).…”

“…Patients aged over 18 years and with severe symptoms of COVID-19 requiring either artificial ventilation or ECMO were included in this study. For the blood adsorption therapy, a blood adsorption column immobilized with a specific peptide, designed based on the sequence of human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, was used [ 8 ]. As a part of this study, the levels of d- amino acids were monitored to explore their significance.…”

“…SARS-CoV-2 binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) for cellular entry, while viral neutralization by soluble ACE2 or antibodies can block the systemic spread [ 6 , 7 ]. A blood adsorption column, which can capture SARS-CoV-2 by a part of ACE2 peptide immobilized on the surface, showed the potential to improve the prognosis of patients with severe COVID-19 requiring artificial ventilation [ 8 ]. The exploration of biomarkers has led to the discovery of therapeutic options.…”