A new study published June 29, 2020 in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology, sheds light on the mysterious blood clots and inflammation seen in patients with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers early promise for development of new medicine that may block COVID-19 inflammation.
The clinical study was done in collaboration among scientists at PEEL Therapeutics, University of Utah Health, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Weill Cornell Medical Center. In the journal article, “Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) contribute to Immunothrombosis in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome,” the researchers discuss the correlation between excess NETs and the severity of COVID-19 in 33 study participants. Because clotting is also a major cause of mortality in end-stage cancer, learning more about the role of NETs in COVID-19 may help scientists understand and discover treatment targets as well. Further studies are needed to establish that NET levels are a biomarker that could allow the protein to become a basis for clinical treatment.
We need your help to make our goal and ensure this important work continues.