The overall objective of this project is to develop an emergent treatment protocol using adoptive T-cell therapy for the treatment of severe COVID-19. The central hypothesis is that SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells from convalescent donors who have recovered from COVID-19 can be manufactured expeditiously for the treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections.
A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no vaccine or specific treatment has been
proven to be effective. While waiting for vaccine to be developed, passive immunity can be
acquired immediately by adoptive transfer of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells from convalescent
donors into newly infected patients.
The aim of this protocol is to demonstrate the feasibility of preparing SARS-CoV-2 specific T
cells from convalescent donors for urgent clinical use. The specific hypothesis is that
SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells can be isolated from the blood of convalescent donors rapidly and
efficiently using SARS-CoV-2 specific peptides and an automated medical device for emergent
treatment of severe COVID-19 disease.
A minimum of 8 convalescent donors will be recruited from Singapore to attain HLA sharing
with at least 90% of the general population.
Other: Blood donation from convalescent donor
Donation of 1 unit of blood or leukapheresis
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 21 to 65
- Had a history of COVID-19 with documented positive test for SARS-CoV-2 in the past
- Has recovered from COVID-19 and is now suitable for blood donation, fulfilling all
standard blood donor criteria
- Negative test for SARS-CoV-2 currently
Exclusion Criteria:
- Do not meet the standard criteria for blood cell donation at National University
Hospital or Singapore General Hospital.
National University Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore, Singapore
Michaela Seng
82487085
childhoodcancer@kkh.com.sg
Wing Hang Leung, Principal Investigator
KK Hospital, SingHealth, Duke-NUS