'Plasma therapy not promising in initial trials' | Economic Times

NEW DELHI: Plasma therapy for Covid-19 has not shown promising results, according to the preliminary results of a study of patients treated with the antibodies drawn from those cured of the disease.“The interim analysis from 300-odd patients who have been given plasma therapy showed that it is not working,” officials in the Indian Council of Medical Research told ET on condition of anonymity.ICMR had in April sought participation in the randomised controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of plasma therapy. While the study is under way at various sites, a review of the interim data on Friday wasn’t encouraging, the officials said.ICMR had updated the Covid-19 clinical treatment protocol to include advice for the use of dexamethasone as an alternative to methylprednisolone in moderate to severe cases, but it has kept plasma therapy out until there is more evidence to support its use.76701700The sample size of the study is 425. The trial is still ongoing and it will be some time before the final call is taken on plasma therapy. As of now, it seems that it doesn’t work, officials said.The preliminary findings come as states including Delhi vouch for plasma therapy even amid a struggle to find donors for patients. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the setting up of a plasma bank for treatment of Covid-19 patients.“There are two things that happen to a patient during corona – oxygen levels decline and respiration levels increase. If plasma is given, both these levels show improvement,” Kejriwal said on Monday. He appealed to cured patients to donate plasma.