DaVita begins clinical trials to better understand COVID-19 in patients with ESKD
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Through its clinical research subsidiary, DaVita Inc. has begun enrolling participants for two trials designed to investigate the ways in which COVID-19 impacts patients with end-stage kidney disease who are currently receiving dialysis.
More specifically, the trials will assess the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in these patients and determine the role genetics may play in disease severity, according to a press release.
"Our researchers are seeking to contribute to understanding COVID-19’s impact on a patient population that has increased risk due to underlying medical conditions,” Amy Young, vice president of DaVita Clinical Research, said in the release. “These studies are particularly important to better forecast future COVID-19 outbreaks, minimize infections and, ultimately, save lives.”
The release elaborated on the studies, noting the first will monitor participants for 4 months in the fall and winter to investigate how the presence of COVID-19 antibodies may influence future virus infection and potential immunity. The second seeks to determine the associations between genetic markers and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, focusing on the genetic differences between patients that may result in varying responses to the infection.
According to the release, the results of both studies are expected to be submitted for publication in early 2021.
“As a novel virus, there is still so much the medical community does not know about COVID-19,” Jeff Giullian, MD, chief medical officer for DaVita, added. “By using our resources to conduct this research, we hope to contribute meaningful data to a worldwide effort. We are eager to share our findings about how the virus behaves in a medically vulnerable population with the intent that they will spur greater innovation.”
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