Early Administration of CCP Associated With Reduced Disease Progression and Risk of Hospitalization

New research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows administration of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) within 9 days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms may help reduce patients’ disease progression and risk of hospitalization.  

The study, conducted at 23 different sites, included data from adult patients who were symptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19. Patients included in the study were enrolled within 8 days following the onset of symptoms and randomized to receive CCP or control plasma. The transfusion was given within 1 day after randomization. Participants were enrolled in the study from June 3, 2020, through October 1, 2021. A total of 1,225 patients underwent randomization, and 1,181 received a transfusion of either CCP or control plasma. The majority of patients included in the study were unvaccinated. The primary outcome was Covid-19–related hospitalization within 28 days after transfusion. 

According to the researchers, 17 of 592 participants (2.9%) who received CCP were hospitalized in the 28 days following transfusion. For those who received control plasma, the number was 37 of 589 participants (6.3%). This is equivalent to a relative risk reduction of 54%.  

The researchers said these findings could have important public health implications, particularly for countries with imbalances in vaccine distribution. “[CCP] can be considered for initial use in patients with COVID-19 and for use in future pandemics while monoclonal therapies and vaccines are being developed,” the researchers wrote. “The establishment of infusion centers that can rapidly administer COVID-19 convalescent plasma for outpatients during pandemics may be a consideration for future health care systems.” 

The researchers also noted that as COVID-19 variants continue to evolve, there may be an ongoing need for CCP in the current pandemic. “The continued propagation of SARS-CoV-2 variants with evolving resistance to currently available monoclonal antibodies indicates the potential usefulness of developing capacity for the availability and distribution of [CCP], especially because locally sourced, recently obtained plasma should include antibodies to circulating strains,” they wrote.