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COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Outpatient Therapy to Prevent Outpatient Hospitalization: A Meta-analysis of Individual Participant Data From Five Randomized Trials
Levine AC, Fukuta Y, Huaman MA, Ou J, Meisenberg BR, Patel B, Paxton JH, Hanley DF, Rijnders BJ, Gharbharan A, et al
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. 2023
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outpatient monoclonal antibodies are no longer effective and antiviral treatments for COVID-19 disease remain largely unavailable in many countries worldwide. Although treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma is promising, clinical trials among outpatients have shown mixed results. METHODS We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis from outpatient trials to assess the overall risk reduction for all-cause hospitalizations by day 28 in transfused participants. Relevant trials were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, MedRxiv, World Health Organization, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from January 2020 to September 2022. RESULTS Five included studies from four countries enrolled and transfused 2,620 adult patients. Comorbidities were present in 1,795 (69%). The virus neutralizing antibody dilutional titer levels ranged from 8 to 14,580 in diverse assays. 160 (12.2%) of 1315 control patients were hospitalized, versus 111 (8.5%) of 1305 COVID-19 convalescent plasma treated patients, yielding a 3.7% (95%CI: 1.3%-6.0%; p=.001) absolute risk reduction and 30.1% relative risk reduction for all-cause hospitalization. The hospitalization reduction was greatest in those with both early transfusion and high titer with a 7.6% absolute risk reduction (95%CI: 4.0%-11.1%; p=.0001) accompanied by at 51.4% relative risk reduction. No significant reduction in hospitalization was seen with treatment > 5 days after symptom onset or in those receiving COVID-19 convalescent plasma with antibody titers below the median titer. CONCLUSIONS Among outpatients with COVID-19, treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma reduced the rate of all-cause hospitalization and may be most effective when given within 5 days of symptom onset and when antibody titer is higher.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult COVID-19 outpatients (5 studies, n= 2,620).
Intervention
Intravenous COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) transfusion (n= 1,305).
Comparison
Non-convalescent plasma or normal saline (n= 1,315).
Outcome
The virus neutralizing antibody dilutional titre levels ranged from 8 to 14,580 in diverse assays. 160 (12.2%) of 1,315 control patients were hospitalized, versus 111 (8.5%) of 1,305 COVID-19 convalescent plasma treated patients, yielding a 3.7% (95% CI: 1.3% - 6.0%) absolute risk reduction and 30.1% relative risk reduction for all-cause hospitalization. The hospitalization reduction was greatest in those with both early transfusion and high titre with a 7.6% absolute risk reduction (95% CI: 4.0% - 11.1%) accompanied by at 51.4% relative risk reduction. No significant reduction in hospitalization was seen with treatment > 5 days after symptom onset or in those receiving COVID-19 convalescent plasma with antibody titres below the median titre.
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Outpatient convalescent plasma therapy for high-risk patients with early COVID-19. A randomized placebo-controlled trial
Gharbharan A, Jordans C, Zwaginga L, Papageorgiou G, van Geloven N, van Wijngaarden P, den Hollander J, Karim F, van Leeuwen-Segarceanu E, Soetekouw R, et al
Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The potential benefit of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy for COVID-19 is highest when given early after symptom onset. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of CP in improving the disease course of COVID-19 in high-risk outpatients. METHODS A multicentre double blind randomized trial was conducted comparing 300mL of CP with non-CP. Patients were 50 years or older, symptomatic for <8 days, had PCR or antigen-test confirmed COVID-19 and at least 1 risk factor for severe COVID-19. The primary endpoint was the highest score on a 5-point ordinal scale ranging from fully recovered (score=1) or not (2) on day 7, over hospital admission (3), ICU admission (4) and death (5) in the 28 days following randomization. Secondary endpoints were hospital admission, symptom duration and viral RNA excretion. RESULTS After enrolment of 421 patients and the transfusion of 416, recruitment was discontinued when the countrywide vaccination uptake in those aged >50 years was 80%. Patients had a median age of 60, symptoms for 5 days and 207 of 416 received CP. During the 28 days of follow-up, 28 patients were hospitalized and 2 died. The odds ratio (OR) for an improved disease severity score with CP was 0.86 (95%credible interval 0.59-1.22). The OR was 0.58 (95%confidence interval 0.33-1.02) for patients with ≤5 days of symptoms. The hazard ratio for hospital admission was 0.61 (95%confidence interval 0.28-1.34). No difference was found in viral RNA excretion nor in the duration of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS In patients with early COVID-19, CP did not improve the 5-point disease severity score. CLINICAL REGISTRY NUMBER NCT04589949.
PICO Summary
Population
High-risk outpatients with early COVID-19 (n= 416).
Intervention
Convalescent plasma (CP), (n= 207).
Comparison
Regular plasma (non-CP, n= 209).
Outcome
Patients had a median age of 60 years old, and symptoms for 5 days. During the 28 days of follow-up, 28 patients were hospitalized and two died. The odds ratio (OR) for an improved disease severity score with CP was 0.86 (95% credible interval: 0.59-1.22). The OR was 0.58 (95% confidence interval: 0.33-1.02) for patients with ≤5 days of symptoms. The hazard ratio for hospital admission was 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.28-1.34). No difference was found in viral RNA excretion nor in the duration of symptoms.
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Prospective individual patient data meta-analysis of two randomized trials on convalescent plasma for COVID-19 outpatients
Millat-Martinez P, Gharbharan A, Alemany A, Rokx C, Geurtsvankessel C, Papageourgiou G, van Geloven N, Jordans C, Groeneveld G, Swaneveld F, et al
Nature communications. 2022;13(1):2583
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Data on convalescent plasma (CP) treatment in COVID-19 outpatients are scarce. We aimed to assess whether CP administered during the first week of symptoms reduced the disease progression or risk of hospitalization of outpatients. Two multicenter, double-blind randomized trials (NCT04621123, NCT04589949) were merged with data pooling starting when <20% of recruitment target was achieved. A Bayesian-adaptive individual patient data meta-analysis was implemented. Outpatients aged ≥50 years and symptomatic for ≤7days were included. The intervention consisted of 200-300mL of CP with a predefined minimum level of antibodies. Primary endpoints were a 5-point disease severity scale and a composite of hospitalization or death by 28 days. Amongst the 797 patients included, 390 received CP and 392 placebo; they had a median age of 58 years, 1 comorbidity, 5 days symptoms and 93% had negative IgG antibody-test. Seventy-four patients were hospitalized, 6 required mechanical ventilation and 3 died. The odds ratio (OR) of CP for improved disease severity scale was 0.936 (credible interval (CI) 0.667-1.311); OR for hospitalization or death was 0.919 (CI 0.592-1.416). CP effect on hospital admission or death was largest in patients with ≤5 days of symptoms (OR 0.658, 95%CI 0.394-1.085). CP did not decrease the time to full symptom resolution. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04621123 and NCT04589949. REGISTRATION NCT04621123 and NCT04589949 on https://www. CLINICALTRIALS gov.
PICO Summary
Population
COVID-19 outpatients enrolled in two multicenter trials: COnV-ert and CoV-Early (n= 797).
Intervention
Convalescent plasma (n= 390).
Comparison
Placebo (n= 392).
Outcome
Seventy-four patients were hospitalized, 6 required mechanical ventilation and 3 died. The odds ratio (OR) of convalescent plasma for improved disease severity scale was 0.936; OR for hospitalization or death was 0.919. The convalescent plasma effect on hospital admission or death was largest in patients with ≤5 days of symptoms (OR 0.658). Convalescent plasma did not decrease the time to full symptom resolution.
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Expected individual benefit of prophylactic platelet transfusions in hemato-oncology patients based on bleeding risks
Cornelissen LL, Caram-Deelder C, Fustolo-Gunnink SF, Groenwold RHH, Stanworth SJ, Zwaginga JJ, van der Bom JG
Transfusion. 2021
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prophylactic platelet transfusions prevent bleeding in hemato-oncology patients, but it is unclear how any benefit varies between patients. Our aim was to assess if patients with different baseline risks for bleeding benefit differently from a prophylactic platelet transfusion strategy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Using the data from the randomized controlled TOPPS trial (Trial of Platelet Prophylaxis), we developed a prediction model for World Health Organization grades 2, 3, and 4 bleeding risk (defined as at least one bleeding episode in a 30 days period) and grouped patients in four risk-quartiles based on this predicted baseline risk. Predictors in the model were baseline platelet count, age, diagnosis, disease modifying treatment, disease status, previous stem cell transplantation, and the randomization arm. RESULTS The model had a c-statistic of 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.64). There was little variation in predicted risks (quartiles 46%, 47%, and 51%), but prophylactic platelet transfusions gave a risk reduction in all risk quartiles. The absolute risk difference (ARD) was 3.4% (CI -12.2 to 18.9) in the lowest risk quartile (quartile 1), 7.4% (95% CI -8.4 to 23.3) in quartile 2, 6.8% (95% CI -9.1 to 22.9) in quartile 3, and 12.8% (CI -3.1 to 28.7) in the highest risk quartile (quartile 4). CONCLUSION In our study, generally accepted bleeding risk predictors had limited predictive power (expressed by the low c-statistic), and, given the wide confidence intervals of predicted ARD, could not aid in identifying subgroups of patients who might benefit more (or less) from prophylactic platelet transfusion.
PICO Summary
Population
Haemato-oncology patients enrolled in the TOPPS trial (n= 600).
Intervention
Platelet transfusions based on a threshold of 10 × 10 9/L (Prophylactic arm, n= 299).
Comparison
Platelet transfusions in case of active bleeding (Therapeutic arm, n= 301).
Outcome
47% of patients (279) developed at least one WHO grade 2, 3, or 4 bleeding during 30-day follow-up. The model had a c-statistic of 0.58. There was little variation in predicted risks (quartiles 46%, 47%, and 51%), but prophylactic platelet transfusions gave a risk reduction in all risk quartiles. The absolute risk difference was 3.4% in the lowest risk quartile (quartile 1), 7.4% in quartile 2, 6.8% in quartile 3, and 12.8% in the highest risk quartile (quartile 4).
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The role of pathogen-reduced platelet transfusions on HLA alloimmunization in hemato-oncological patients
Saris A, Kerkhoffs JL, Norris PJ, van Ham SM, Ten Brinke A, Brand A, van der Meer PF, Zwaginga JJ
Transfusion. 2018
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platelet transfusions can induce alloimmunization against HLA antigens. The use of pathogen-reduced platelet concentrates (PCs) was suggested to reduce HLA alloimmunization and concomitant transfusion refractoriness. METHODS This study investigated HLA alloimmunization in available samples from 448 hemato-oncological patients who were randomized for the Pathogen Reduction Evaluation and Predictive Analytical Rating Score (PREPAReS) trial to receive either untreated or pathogen-reduced PCs (Mirasol, Terumo BCT Inc.). Anti-HLA Class I and II antibodies were determined before the first platelet transfusion and weekly thereafter using multiplex assay with standard cutoffs to detect low- as well as high-level antibodies. RESULTS When using the lower cutoff, in patients who were antibody negative at enrollment, 5.4% (n = 12) developed anti-HLA Class I antibodies after receiving untreated PCs, while this was significantly higher in patients receiving pathogen-reduced PCs, 12.8% (n = 29; p = 0.009, intention-to-treat [ITT] analysis). A similar but nonsignificant trend was observed in the per-protocol (PP) analysis (5.4% vs. 10.1%; p = 0.15). HLA class II antibody formation was similar between both types of PCs in the ITT analysis, while the PP analysis showed a trend toward lower immunization after receiving pathogen-reduced PCs. Multivariate analysis identified receiving pathogen-reduced platelets as an independent risk factor for HLA Class I alloimmunization (ITT: odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.02 [1.42-6.51], PP: odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.77 [1.00-5.40]), without affecting HLA Class II alloimmunization. When using the high cutoff value, the difference in HLA Class I alloimmunization between study arms remained significant in the ITT analysis and again was not significant in the PP analysis. CONCLUSION Our data clearly indicate that Mirasol pathogen inactivation does not prevent HLA Class I or II alloimmunization after platelet transfusions.
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Impact of red blood cell transfusion strategies in haemato-oncological patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hoeks MPA, Kranenburg FJ, Middelburg RA, van Kraaij MGJ, Zwaginga JJ
British Journal of Haematology. 2017;178((1):):137-151
Abstract
Haemato-oncological patients receive many red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, however evidence-based guidelines are lacking. Our aim is to quantify the effect of restrictive and liberal RBC transfusion strategies on clinical outcomes and blood use in haemato-oncological patients. A literature search, last updated on 11 August 2016, was performed in PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and Academic Search Premier without restrictions on language and year of publication. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies that compared different RBC transfusion strategies in haemato-oncological patients were eligible for inclusion. Risk of bias assessment according to the Cochrane collaboration's tool and Newcastle-Ottawa scale was performed. After removing duplicates, 1142 publications were identified. Eventually, 15 studies were included, reporting on 2636 patients. The pooled relative risk for mortality was 0.68 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46-1.01] in favour of the restrictive strategy. The mean RBC use was reduced with 1.40 units (95% CI 0.70-2.09) per transfused patient per therapy cycle in the restrictive strategy group. There were no differences in safety outcomes. All currently available evidence suggests that restrictive strategies do not have a negative impact regarding clinical outcomes in haemato-oncological patients, while it reduces RBC use and associated costs.
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Safety and effects of two red blood cell transfusion strategies in pediatric cardiac surgery patients: a randomized controlled trial
de Gast-Bakker DH, de Wilde RB, Hazekamp MG, Sojak V, Zwaginga JJ, Wolterbeek R, de Jonge E, Gesink-van der Veer BJ
Intensive Care Medicine. 2013;39((11):):2011-9.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and effects of a restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategy in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Pediatric ICU in an academic tertiary care center, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. PATIENTS One hundred seven patients with non-cyanotic congenital heart defects between 6weeks and 6years of age. One hundred three patients underwent corrective surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS Prior to surgery patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups with specific RBC transfusion thresholds: Hb 10.8g/dl (6.8mmol/l) and Hb 8.0g/dl (5.0mmol/l). MEASUREMENTS Length of stay in hospital (primary outcome), length of stay in PICU, duration of ventilation (secondary outcome), incidence of adverse events and complications related to randomization (intention to treat analysis). RESULTS In the restrictive transfusion group, mean volume of transfused RBC was 186 (+/-70) ml per patient and in the liberal transfusion group 258 (+/-87) ml per patient, (95% CI 40.6-104.6), p<0.001. Length of hospital stay was shorter in patients with a restrictive RBC transfusion strategy: median 8 (IQR 7-11) vs. 9 (IQR 7-14) days, p=0.047. All other outcome measures and incidence of adverse effects were equal in both RBC transfusion groups. Cost of blood products for the liberal transfusion group was 438.35 (+/-203.39) vs. 316.27 (+/-189.96) euros (95% CI 46.61-197.51) per patient in the restrictive transfusion group, p=0.002. CONCLUSIONS For patients with a non-cyanotic congenital heart defect undergoing elective cardiac surgery, a restrictive RBC transfusion policy (threshold of Hb 8.0g/dl) during the entire perioperative period is safe, leads to a shorter hospital stay and is less expensive.
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Clinical effectiveness of leucoreduced, pooled donor platelet concentrates, stored in plasma or additive solution with and without pathogen reduction
Kerkhoffs JL, van Putten WL, Novotny VM, Te Boekhorst PA, Schipperus MR, Zwaginga JJ, van Pampus LC, de Greef GE, Luten M, Huijgens PC, et al
British Journal of Haematology. 2010;150((2):):209-17.
Abstract
Pathogen reduction (PR) of platelet products increases costs and available clinical studies are equivocal with respect to clinical and haemostatic effectiveness. We conducted a multicentre, open-label, randomized, non-inferiority trial comparing the clinical effectiveness of buffy-coat derived leukoreduced platelet concentrates (PC) stored for up to 7 d in plasma with platelets stored in platelet additive solution III (PASIII) without and with treatment with amotosalen-HCl/ultraviolet-A (UVA) photochemical pathogen reduction (PR-PASIII). Primary endpoint of the study was 1-h corrected count increment (CCI). Secondary endpoints were 24-h CCI, bleeding, transfusion requirement of red cells and PC, platelet transfusion interval and adverse transfusion reactions. Compared to plasma-PC, in the intention to treat analysis of 278 evaluable patients the mean difference for the 1-h CCI of PR-PASIII-PC and PASIII-PC was -31% (P < 0. 0001) and -9% (P = n. s. ), respectively. Twenty-seven patients (32%) had bleeding events in the PR-PASIII arm, as compared to 19 (19%) in the plasma arm and 14 (15%) in the PASIII arm (P = 0. 034). Despite the potential advantages of pathogen (and leucocyte) inactivation of amotosalen-HCl/UVA-treated platelet products, their clinical efficacy is inferior to platelets stored in plasma, warranting a critical reappraisal of employing this technique for clinical use.