sciencenewsnet.in

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute Exploring Potential Prevention Options, Therapies for COVID-19

ONCOLOGY “Trailblazers” September, 24 Dallas, TEXAS – (Photo by Shannon Faulk) Client: BAY Date: 9/24/19 Job Number: 19-BAY-066 Job Name: Oncology “Trailblazers” Video/SAMMONS SUPER: CANCER HATES PROBLEM SOLVERS

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the research arm of Baylor Scott & White Health, is bringing clinical trials online at an unprecedented pace in response to COVID-19.

A COVID-19 therapeutic task force of more than 20 multidisciplinary researchers positioned across the state of Texas has been putting their expertise in infectious disease, cardiology, immunology, molecular biology, and other specialties together to explore research opportunities for experimental prevention and treatment options and to develop investigator-initiated studies.

Since the task force’s formation, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute has activated five clinical trials, each of which is available at multiple Baylor Scott & White sites, with work ongoing to launch additional studies.  

These trials range from examining prophylactic drugs as preventative measures, to studying the efficacy and safety of potential therapeutic medications for infected patients, to performing longitudinal surveillance to understand the emotional impact of COVID-19 over time – contributing to the global effort to learn more about the SARS-COV-2 virus causing the pandemic.

Utilizing the intricate research network already established across the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute mobilized staff and resources, including the components needed to integrate critical patient-safety measures at every participating site within the Baylor Scott & White footprint in just a matter of days.

All four of Baylor Scott & White’s Institutional Review Boards have also been doing emergency reviews at all hours as part of this full force effort, and they continue to evaluate new opportunities. 

“We are very thankful for the efforts by our task force, our IRBs and the FDA who are working around the clock to review and make these types of opportunities available,” said Jaime Walkowiak, chief research executive, Baylor Scott &White Health. “Our commitment at Baylor Scott & White Research Institute is to advance knowledge around and access to critical medications and therapies. Contributing to the global effort to prevent and treat COVID-19 exemplifies our mission.”

Early Development of Rapid Testing in Baylor Scott & White Laboratories

In late February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responded to the call for the rapid development of diagnostic tests by clinical laboratories during the COVID-19 outbreak by allowing clinical laboratories to begin using their local laboratory developed tests before FDA clearance.

At that time, a Baylor Scott & White Health laboratory was one of only four independent clinical laboratories in the U.S. chosen by the Luminex Corporation to perform validation studies on laboratory developed tests for automated, rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus — the virus that causes COVID-19 — using the sample-to-answer ARIES® System. These validation tests demonstrated that high complexity laboratories using the ARIES® System could immediately add COVID-19 diagnostics to their testing menu. This work was critical to helping address soaring demand for tests and allows equipped laboratories to produce results quickly. Baylor Scott & White Health’s lab has since also supported a second, FDA-EAU approved validation study for another Luminex test.

Activating Clinical Trials and Research Studies

Baylor Scott & White was the first healthcare system in Texas approved to conduct three industry-sponsored trials, each of which are part of larger, multi-center studies.

With the full force of Baylor Scott & White Research Institute’s infrastructure behind these efforts, the team has also designed protocols for two additional independent, investigator-initiated studies:

“We want our caregivers, our patients and our communities to know there is hope and there are options being explored right now,” said Walkowiak. “While our communities are doing their part by following physical distancing and stay at home guidelines, our entire research team is mobilized to help lead the frontline research efforts against this virus.”

How the Community Can Help

Baylor Scott & White is fortunate to have a Foundation who supports trials and investigator-initiated studies. For decades, the Foundation and generous donors within our communities have come forward, and without their dedication and commitment to advancing healthcare through research, these potentially life-saving trials would not be possible.

To support research efforts related to COVID-19, visit the Foundation COVID-19 Research page.  

In addition to support through our Foundation, community members who have recovered from COVID-19 can help through blood and plasma donation. Plasma from recovered individuals contains antibodies generated by their immune system to fight the virus. In select cases, the FDA is approving emergency plasma transfusion of these antibodies into patients who are critically ill with no remaining treatment options available.

Individuals could be candidates to donate convalescent plasma if they have recovered from COVID-19 and remain continuously symptom free for at least 28 days or received a confirmed-negative test after 14 days.

About Baylor Scott & White Research Institute

Extending investigational expertise across more than 50 specialties areas, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute provides the business and regulatory infrastructure to accelerate medical breakthroughs and innovative new treatment models through clinical and translational activities. Baylor Scott & White Research Institute is present at sites and centers across Baylor Scott & White Health and maintains nearly 2,000 active trials each year.

About Baylor Scott & White Health

As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. An integrated care delivery network, the system includes the Scott and White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute and Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance. Through 52 hospitals and more than 1,000 access points including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care, throughout Texas, and via virtual touchpoints. If its service area were a state, it would be the eighth largest, providing care to a population larger than that of the state of Georgia. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing, Baylor Scott & White is proud to honor its century-long legacy through its commitment to improving accessibility, affordability and the customer experience for all. For more information, visit BSWHealth.com

###

Original post https://alertarticles.info