St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn is among a number of hospitals participating in two clinical trials aimed at developing treatments for COVID-19, according to a release from the Catholic Health Services of Long Island.
The first study he hospital is involved with concerns using the medication remdesivir, which was developed to treat the Ebola virus and has been successfully used for other coronaviruses including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Using remdesivir to treat COVID-19 follows limited testing in the United States, Canada, China and elsewhere that led to an improvement in the condition of some patients afflicted with the virus. The treatment takes place over 10 days and includes a 200-milligram dose on the first day and a 100-milligram dose on days two to 10.
St. Francis is one of only two hospitals conducting the trial, with the other being Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip.
The first study the hospital is participating in is a Mayo Clinic-run trial that will use plasma donated by recovered COVID-19 patents to treat individuals who continue to fight the virus. Initial data available from the convalescent plasma study indicates that a single dose (200 milliliters/6.8 ounces) of plasma showed a benefit for some patients, leading to improvement.
“People who recover from COVID-19 do so, in part, because their blood contains antibodies that are able to fight the virus,” a release from CHSLI stated. “Prior research of other viruses found that treating patients with plasma obtained from those who have recovered from the same virus leads to rapid improvement.”
Potential plasma donors must have a prior, verified diagnosis of COVID-19, but are now symptom-free and fully recovered, as well as be at least 18 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds.
The plasma can be administered only to a consenting COVID-19 patient or a patient whose family member offers consent. Additionally, the treatment will only be given to patients judged by a physician to be at high risk of disease progression to severe or life-threatening.
Dr. Jason Golbin, CHS Senior vice president and chief quality officer, expressed excitement at the studies.
“Catholic Health Services is excited to be on the front lines and participate in these clinical trials for COVID-19,” Golbin said. “Our clinical teams have spent several weeks caring for COVID-19 patients. It means a great deal to everyone to take part in these two cutting-edge research efforts.”
Details on how to donate plasma and additional information on the two clinical trials may be obtained by calling CHSLI at 1(855) CHS-4500.
