Background & Aim
Despite the successful implementation of vaccines worldwide, COVID-19 remains a risk in patients with a compromised immune system. Emerging viral variants have also reduced the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody therapies in these patients. New treatment options are therefore required to improve clinical outcomes.
Methods, Results and Conclusions
T cell immunotherapy has proven effective for the treatment of a number of refractory viral diseases in patients with a compromised immune system. We have now completed the manufacture of a bank of SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells and commenced an open-label phase I clinical trial at the Royal Brisbane and Womens' Hospital, Australia. Patients enrolled in the study receive two doses of partially HLA-matched allogeneic T cells at a fortnightly interval. We have thus far recruited and treated five immune compromised patients with SARS-CoV-2 T cells. In two of the three patients assessed thus far, the administration of T cell therapy was coincident with the clearance of viral load after 28 days. Viral clearance in these patients was also associated with an increase in circulating SARS-CoV-2 specific T cells.
Our preliminary observations suggest that SARS-CoV-2 specific T cell therapy is well tolerated and has the potential to impact viral control in immune compromised patients.