“(We wonder if) it could be a vaccine to increase the immune response against COVID, and either have less serious infections, or just not be infected because we had an immune response”, summarized the doctor David Roberge, a radiation oncologist who will lead part of the study at the CHUM.
The study will specifically target patients who currently have cancer, since they seem to be particularly at risk from the coronavirus. Their risk of hospitalization or death from COVID is said to be up to three times that of the general population.
In addition, treatments that often force them to break their confinement to go to the hospital and a weakened immune system multiply the risk of infection.
Immunostimulant therapy IMM-101 has been in development for several years as a treatment for cancer. It has been found to help activate certain immune cells and boost the immune system’s ability to destroy cancer cells.
How and why could a cancer vaccine fight the coronavirus? Doctor Roberge draws a comparison with the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis, which is also the subject of several studies since it could prove useful in the fight against COVID-19.
The researchers thus discovered that the BCG vaccine elicits a global immune response capable of protecting against other infections. Preliminary data suggests that people who have been vaccinated with BCG are less likely to have symptomatic COVID infection, he said.
“The mechanism by which it might help treat cancer is the same as the mechanism by which it might help treat or prevent COVID,” explained Dr. Roberge. It is a global stimulation of the immune system. “
If the study is successful, IMM-101 could also be of benefit for people with other chronic conditions or with weakened immune systems, who are also at increased risk for a severe COVID-19 outcome. . In addition, it may help protect people with cancer from other respiratory infections such as the seasonal flu.
This clinical trial is conducted by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCGC) and funded by the Canadian Cancer Society. The GCEC is a research cooperative specializing in clinical trials in the treatment of cancer that conducts Phase I to III clinical trials in more than 80 institutions in Canada and abroad.
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The study is aimed at patients who are currently being treated for cancer and who need to go to the hospital for their treatment. Those who would be interested in participating can write to: [email protected]
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