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This observational study is being conducted by Healing Hope International to collect real-world data on an emerging treatment approach for Long COVID in patients with immunodeficiency. The study investigates the effects of intranasal immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in a real-world setting.
Participants will be individuals diagnosed with Long COVID who have confirmed immunodeficiency, such as low IgG or IgA levels or specific antibody deficiency. These individuals are receiving care through international clinical programs and will not receive any treatment as part of this study. Instead, Healing Hope will collect health information, clinical outcomes, and laboratory results from participating sites to better understand how intranasal IVIG might help reduce symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and immune dysregulation.
The goal of this study is to contribute new insights into potential treatment options for Long COVID and to support responsible, science-backed care models for patients participating in medical tourism. No experimental drugs are being administered as part of this protocol. All treatment decisions are made independently by each clinical site. Data will be anonymized and used to advance knowledge in the field of immunological recovery and neuroinflammation.
This observational study, initiated by Healing Hope International, is designed to collect real-world data (RWD) from individuals diagnosed with Long COVID who are undergoing clinical care involving intranasal immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy at international medical tourism sites.
Eligible participants are adults (ages 18-65) with:
Persistent Long COVID symptoms for ≥12 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection,
Laboratory-confirmed immunodeficiency (e.g., low IgG/IgA, poor vaccine response, or specific antibody deficiency),
Elevated inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., CRP, cytokines),
No evidence of active infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal),
No comorbid neurological conditions (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease),
No current immunosuppressive therapies.
No investigational product will be administered by the study team. All treatments are prescribed and delivered independently by licensed international clinical sites. Healing Hope International operates as the sponsor and data coordinating center. Participants' data will be collected retrospectively and prospectively from site medical records, patient-reported surveys, and third-party laboratory assessments, including genetic testing for RXRA expression (e.g., via qPCR or NGS panels).
The primary data endpoints include:
Changes in immunological biomarkers (IgG/IgA, CRP, cytokine panel),
Clinical course of Long COVID symptoms (fatigue, cognitive impairment, respiratory issues),
Quality of life measures (collected via validated patient-reported outcome instruments).
The study complies with all applicable regulations for data protection and ethical research conduct, including informed consent, HIPAA-compliant data transfer where applicable, and de-identification of personal health information. Ethical approval will be obtained from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), and partner sites may obtain parallel local or national ethics approvals.
This study also seeks to characterize the broader landscape of medical tourism for regenerative therapies by mapping treatment accessibility, safety, and patient reported effectiveness in the context of international care. It does not replace or compete with regulated clinical trials but aims to generate actionable real world insights that can guide future controlled research.
By contributing to the body of evidence around global regenerative practices, this study supports the development of international ethical guidelines, compassionate use frameworks, and collaborative trial infrastructure in complex chronic conditions.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long COVID Patients with Immunodeficiency | This group includes adult participants (ages 18-65) with a clinical diagnosis of Long COVID and laboratory-confirmed immunodeficiency (e.g., low IgG, low IgA, or specific antibody deficiency). Participants in this cohort are receiving intranasal immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy as part of their standard care through international clinical sites. Data will be collected on treatment outcomes, cytokine and CRP profiles, antibody titers, and patient-reported symptoms including fatigue, cognitive function, and quality of life. No treatments are administered by the study team. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Fatigue Severity Using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) | Fatigue will be assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a validated 9-item patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates the impact of fatigue on daily functioning. Each item is scored on a 7-point Likert scale. A decrease in total score from baseline indicates improvement. | Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Change in Cognitive Dysfunction Using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) | Cognitive dysfunction (often referred to as "brain fog") will be evaluated using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), a validated 25-item instrument that measures the frequency of cognitive lapses in daily activities. Higher scores indicate greater impairment. Improvement is reflected by a decrease in score. | Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Change in Breathlessness Using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Breathlessness will be assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), in which participants rate their shortness of breath on a 100 mm line ranging from "no breathlessness" to "worst imaginable breathlessness." A lower score at 12 weeks compared to baseline indicates improvement. | Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels | Serum CRP levels will be collected at baseline and at 12 weeks to evaluate systemic inflammation. CRP is a sensitive marker of inflammatory activity. A reduction in CRP is considered a favorable outcome. | Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Change in Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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This study enrolls adults aged 18 to 65 with persistent Long COVID symptoms and confirmed immunodeficiency, including low IgG/IgA or poor vaccine response. Participants must have elevated inflammatory markers and be free of active infections or neurological conditions. The population is observed while undergoing intranasal IVIG therapy internationally, with a focus on immunological, genetic, and quality of life outcomes.
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa J Orsic, Patient Coordinator | Contact | +1 847 766-4580 | info@horizonsthinktank.org |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Anna Lara Kattan, MD: Regenerative Medicine | StemSolutions.mx | Principal Investigator |
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| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38642615 | Background | VanElzakker MB, Bues HF, Brusaferri L, Kim M, Saadi D, Ratai EM, Dougherty DD, Loggia ML. Neuroinflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) as assessed by [11C]PBR28 PET correlates with vascular disease measures. Brain Behav Immun. 2024 Jul;119:713-723. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.04.015. Epub 2024 Apr 18. | |
| 34511970 | Background |
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Healing Hope International is currently evaluating options for secure and ethical data sharing in accordance with international data protection standards and participant consent. If IPD sharing becomes feasible, de-identified data may be made available to qualified researchers upon request and IRB approval. A final determination will be made after assessing data governance infrastructure and stakeholder input.
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Plasma cytokine levels will be analyzed at baseline and 12 weeks using multiplex assays. Changes in IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β will be assessed as indicators of neuroinflammation and systemic immune activation. Decreases suggest treatment benefit. |
| Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Change in Additional Cytokines and Inflammatory Markers | The following secondary cytokines and chemokines will also be tracked to evaluate the broader impact of intranasal IVIG on immune modulation. Reference ranges include:
Changes in these markers will be analyzed to explore effects on neuroinflammatory signaling pathways, immune exhaustion, and cytokine resolution. Normalization trends will be documented and correlated with clinical improvements. | Baseline and 12 Weeks |
| Alaiya A, Alshukairi A, Shinwari Z, Al-Fares M, Alotaibi J, AlOmaim W, Alsharif I, Bakheet R, Alharbi L, Allam R, Asiri A, Memish Z, Alromaih K, Al-Mozaini M. Alterations in the Plasma Proteome Induced by SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV Reveal Biomarkers for Disease Outcomes for COVID-19 Patients. J Inflamm Res. 2021 Sep 1;14:4313-4328. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S322430. eCollection 2021. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000094024 | Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome |
| D005222 | Mental Fatigue |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000086382 | COVID-19 |
| D011024 | Pneumonia, Viral |
| D011014 | Pneumonia |
| D012141 | Respiratory Tract Infections |
| D007239 | Infections |
| D014777 | Virus Diseases |
| D018352 | Coronavirus Infections |
| D003333 | Coronaviridae Infections |
| D030341 | Nidovirales Infections |
| D012327 | RNA Virus Infections |
| D008171 | Lung Diseases |
| D012140 | Respiratory Tract Diseases |
| D000094025 | Post-Infectious Disorders |
| D002908 | Chronic Disease |
| D020969 | Disease Attributes |
| D010335 | Pathologic Processes |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D005221 | Fatigue |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D001526 | Behavioral Symptoms |
| D001519 | Behavior |
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