Northport VAMC Joins In National Coronavirus Treatment Trials

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — The Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center is among other VA hospitals in the United States participating in a series of clinical trials and investigations aimed at finding ways to mitigate or potentially prevent symptoms of the new coronavirus in patients, it stated in a news release.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is cooperating with the Mayo Clinic, a Minnesota-based nonprofit academic medical center, which is studying whether blood transfusions from people who recovered from COVID-19 can help those who are still suffering with symptoms. Plasma from COVID-19 survivors contains antibodies that may help current patients, said the U.S. VA. More than 60 of VA’s medical centers and clinics are prepared to perform transfusions of this plasma to COVID-19 patients.

The Northport VA Medical Center participated in the plasma antibody transfusion study coordinated by the Mayo Clinic for two reasons:

"Firstly, it gave our patients a chance to receive cutting-edge care at a time when they needed it most," Levi Spellman, public affairs at Northport VAMC told Patch. "Secondly, participation in these types of studies helps to substantially advance medical science."

The Northport VA team worked with four patients, all of whom are U.S. veterans who had the coronavirus. Staff recruited patients who were best suited for the study, Spellman said. After administering the treatment, the patients' progress was followed and recorded in the national research database. The national tests are an ongoing process.

The plasma antibody transfusion study at the Northport VAMC was coordinated by Dr. Richard Lin, chief of hematology and oncology, and Dr. Igor Chernyavskiy, chief of pulmonary medicine. The study was overseen by Dr. Hussein Foda, associate chief of staff for research.

The Food and Drug Administration approved expanded access to convalescent plasma transfusions in April. Patients who are interested in the program can learn more here.

"If you have fully recovered from COVID-19, you may be able to help patients currently fighting the infection by donating your plasma," the FDA website reads. "Because you fought the infection, your plasma now contains COVID-19 antibodies. These antibodies provided one way for your immune system to fight the virus when you were sick, so your plasma may be able to be used to help others fight off the disease."

VA researchers across the country are developing other clinical trials that will offer more opportunities for veterans. Many are in the planning stage, and some are already enrolling volunteer participants, according to the news release.

VA medical centers in Denver, New Orleans and Palo Alto, California joined a clinical trial led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases that is looking into whether drugs such as Gilead Sciences Inc., remdesivir are effective against COVID-19. In Atlanta, VA is working with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to assess whether sarilumab, a drug normally taken to treat rheumatoid arthritis, may be an effective treatment. The Northport VA is not currently involved in the studies regarding remdesivir or sarilumab.

"We’re in a position to do things that no one else in the world can do to improve the health of our Veterans, the nation and the world," U.S. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie stated in the release. "VA is bringing all of its expertise to bear during this crisis, and now we’re leading the way on research into pharmaceuticals and treatments that could improve the lives of thousands of patients."