Decidual stromal cells (DSC) in treatment of COVID-19 induced respiratory failure

In severe viral infections, some patients may develop pneumonia and pulmonary failure, both as part of the infectious course and as part of the inflammatory response. The inflammatory response may be inappropriately large and lead to extensive lung seals and respiratory failure in need of mechanical ventilation with the respirator. Infection with SARS-CoV2 causes a disease called COVID-19. This viral infection has been associated in part with high mortality due to respiratory failure and surpass available health care resources, especially with regard to the capacity of intensive care units and available respirators.

Treatment with decidual stromal cells (DSC) has been used as a test for treatment of various inflammatory conditions with good efficacy and with a good safety profile. DSC has been described for use in 68 patients with transplant against host disease after stem cell transplantation, hemorrhagic cystitis and other inflammatory conditions. By providing an anti-inflammatory effect of pulmonary failure (ARDS) at COVID-19, there is a hope of reducing the rate of respiratory failure or shorten the time period patients have respiratory failure in need of a respirator. In this case, this will mean that in some cases you can avoid respiratory treatment or shorten the time in the respirator, so that any shortage of respiratory resources is avoided. We will include patients with documented COVID-19 and severe respiratory failure in the study. Blood tests will be taken as routinely in an internsive care department. In addition, additional blood samples will be taken to the exploratory endpoint to better understand the pathogenesis of virus-induced lung failure and any effect of treatment.

Project leaders:

Yngvar Fløisand

Hanne Scholz