Uncategorized

A ‘Cure’? Israeli Company Reports 100% Success Rate on COVID-19 Treatment


[UPDATED ON APRIL 28, 2020, 2:42 PM]

According to the official report by Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. last April 7, 2020, all of the patients treated with the PLX cells were in Intensive Care Units (ICU), on ventilators and suffered from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). From this, the Israeli company reported, in its preliminary data, a hundred percent survival rate for all seven patients.

Pluristem’s Report on Patients Treated with PLX Cells

By the time of the report, Pluristem said that six patients completed one week follow up while one of them was treated on April 5, 2020.

All these patients who suffered from ARDS and inflammatory complications caused by COVID-19 were treated under Israel’s compassionate use program, in three medical facilities.

On the seven patients’ conditions prior to treatment

Pluristem revealed that prior to the PLX Cells treatment, all the seven patients were in critical condition. They suffered from ARDS, indicating a high risk of mortality and the need for intensive care and ventilators.

Moreover, four of them suffered from organ system failure, including cardiovascular and kidney failure.

On the six patients who completed one week follow up

Here are the recorded improvements in the condition of the six patients after completing the follow-up period:

  • Four out of the six patients have shown improving respiratory conditions.
  • Three of them are in advanced stages of weaning from ventilators.
  • Two out of four patients who suffered from multi-organ failure prior to the treatment have demonstrated clinical recovery in addition to improving respiratory conditions.

Pluristem’s next step

The therapeutics company plans on applying for the initiation of a multinational regulated clinical trial program for the potential use of the PLX cell therapy in treating patients with complications caused by COVID-19.

As the company expects to keep on treating such patients under the compassionate use program,  it does not plan to provide updates on this program. However, Pluristem intends to give updates regarding the development of its contemplated clinical trial program.

 

SOURCE: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.

 

[ORIGINAL POST]

In an article by The Jerusalem Post, an Israeli company’s placenta-based therapy was used to treat six critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Pluristem Therapeutics’ placenta-based cell therapy product was used on the patients and according to preliminary data provided by the company, they survived despite being considered high-risk of mortality.

“We are pleased with this initial outcome of the compassionate use program and committed to harnessing PLX cells for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems.”

Pluristem CEO and president Yaky Yanay

Pluristem Therapeutics’ Report

Pluristem’s report reflected that the patients were treated at three different facilities for a week under Israel’s compassionate use program.

They were suffering from acute respiratory failure and inflammatory complications caused by the dreaded disease. Moreover, four of the patients experienced organ system failure, including cardiovascular and kidney failure.

Indication of the patients’ improving condition

Aside from being able to survive, Pluristem has noted improvement in the patients’ conditions.

Four of them manifested improvement in their respiratory conditions and three are in the advanced stages of weaning from ventilators. Two patients with preexisting medical conditions have also shown clinical recovery aside from respiratory improvement.

How does Pluristem’s cell therapy work?

Pluristem works with PLacental expanded (PLX) cells that have ‘low immunogenicity and immune-modulatory properties’. These cells release soluble biomolecules, such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, that give them the capacity to initiate healing.

According to the therapeutics company, the cells ‘may potentially reduce the incidence and/or severity of COVID-19 pneumonia and pneumonitis leading hopefully to a better prognosis for the patients.’

PLX Cell Therapy used on US patient

After the treatment of six patients, Pluristem planned to apply for the conduct of a multination clinical trial for the treatment of complications caused by COVID-19. And just a few days after their report, the company was able to administer the same therapy to a U.S. patient admitted at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey.

The patient, just like the first six who were treated, is in critical condition, suffering from respiratory failure due to acute respiratory distress syndrome and was intubated in an intensive care unit for three weeks.

The said treatment was administered under the US Food and Drug Administration’s Single Patient Expanded Access Program, which is part of the US Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program.

Can this placenta-based treatment be the ‘cure’ to COVID-19

After six critical patients treated with PLX cell therapy survived, the question now is, “Have we finally found the ‘cure’ for COVID-19?” While the answer is yet to come, may we continue to do our part in this fight against the disease and hope that one day soon, experts and scientists soon find the answer we’ve been waiting for.

How do you feel about this?

Happy
0
Sad
0
Shocked
0
Not Sure
0

You may also like

Leave a reply