Immunoadsorption blood filter for autoimmune long COVID
Official title: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized Trial Phase I-II With Immunoadsorption in Autoimmune Long COVID
Run by Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) · NCT07316127 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We will test a blood-filter treatment called immunoadsorption in people with long COVID who have specific autoantibodies to see if their fatigue and daily functioning get better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | immunotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Amsterdam) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 12, 2027 |
| Study ends | March 12, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | November 10, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07316127 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
People with WHO-defined long COVID who experience post-exertional malaise, have moderate functional impairment (BELL score 20–70%), were in good health before COVID, and test positive on the study's disease-specific autoantibody assay are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without the autoantibody signature or with excluded conditions (recent major cardiac procedures, active systemic immunosuppression, diabetes type 1, recent cancer, BMI > 35, active treated psychiatric disorder, pre-existing fatigue, poor pre-COVID performance, pregnancy or breastfeeding) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers will use a disease-specific autoantibody test to select long COVID patients with a likely autoimmune signature and then randomly assign them to receive immunoadsorption or a sham procedure in a double-blinded design. Immunoadsorption is a procedure that removes IgG antibodies from the blood and is already used in some autoimmune disorders. The main outcome is change in fatigue one month after treatment, with additional symptom and function assessments followed for six months. This biomarker-guided, placebo-controlled approach aims to concentrate on the subgroup most likely to benefit and to provide rigorous evidence of effect.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce fatigue and improve daily functioning for the subgroup of long COVID patients who have pathogenic autoantibodies.
How similar studies have gone: Immunoadsorption has shown benefit in some autoimmune conditions and case series suggest possible effect in selected long COVID patients, but randomized biomarker-guided trials like this are novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Long COVID based on the WHO-criteria * PEM according to the DSQ-PEM * BELL's functionality score 20-70% * Good health prior to the long COVID diagnosis (WHO performance score 0) Exclusion Criteria: * Medical history of clinically significant respiratory- or cardiovascular disease * Prior interventional cardiac procedure within 3 months prior to randomization * Active immunosuppresive treatment for systemic autoimmune disorders * Diabetes type 1 * Solid organ malignancy in the last 5 years * Active psychiatric disorder currently under treatment by a psychiatrist * BMI \> 35 * Pre-existing fatigue * Poor performance score prior to the long COVID diagnosis (WHO performance \>0) * Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Where it's running
-
Aumc
Amsterdam, Netherlands Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daphne Schouten, MD
- Email: postcovidtrials@amsterdamumc.nl
- Phone: +31 20 566 9111
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Magnetic resonance and rapid brain stimulation for Long COVID cognitive and mood symptoms
This trial will test whether an accelerated outpatient magnetic brain stimulation (iTBS) can help reduce brain fog, depression, and anxiety in adults with Long COVID.
-
Anktiva for treating Long COVID symptoms
This will test whether Anktiva helps adults aged 18–69 who had confirmed COVID-19 and now have persistent or worsened Long COVID symptoms.
-
Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy on Long COVID symptoms
This study is testing whether Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy can help people with Long COVID feel better by reducing their symptoms over eight weeks.
-
Functional and cognitive rehabilitation versus informational support for adults with Long COVID and chronic conditions
This trial will try a combined physical and cognitive rehab program versus weekly evidence-based messages to see if adults with Long COVID and pre-existing hypertension or diabetes walk farther, think clearer, and feel better overall.
-
Analyzing MicroRNAs and Vitamin B12 in Long COVID Patients with Neurological Symptoms
This study is testing if changes in certain microRNAs and vitamin B12 levels in the blood can help understand and treat neurological symptoms like depression and fatigue in people who have long COVID.
-
Rehabilitation program to reduce fatigue after COVID-19
This study is testing a new rehabilitation program called COVIDEx to see if it can help people with Long COVID feel less tired compared to standard care.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.