VGTI Florida and Martin Memorial are working on a research study that represents the initial collaboration between the life sciences organization and the health care provider.
The study began collecting blood samples in late October from patients visiting Martin Memorial physicians who agree to participate in the study. Those samples are then turned over to scientists at VGTI Florida for study.
“We believe this study can play an important role in helping us develop innovative vaccine and immune therapies for the current flu epidemic, HIV and other chronic infections,” said Rafick-Pierre Sekaly, Ph.D., co-director and scientific director of VGTI Florida. “Our partnership with Martin Memorial provides us with access to a patient population willing to participate in potentially life-saving research.”
VGTI Florida is the Florida-funded expansion of Oregon Health and Science University’s highly successful Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Research at the facility will focus on vaccine development with a special focus on vaccines and therapeutics that protect the aging population, which is the most vulnerable to disease.
VGTI Florida is one of the three life sciences organizations comprising the Florida Center for Innovation, located at the Tradition development in western St. Lucie County. Along with Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies and the Mann Research Center, VGTI Florida is bringing innovative clinical research to the Treasure Coast.
Martin Memorial, which is seeking approval from the state of Florida to build an 80-bed hospital in Tradition near Torrey Pines, has been participating in research studies for many years – primarily in cancer clinical trials. Since 2001, more than 50 cancer clinical research trials have been conducted at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, which have provided valuable insight into the causes of and treatments for cancer.
“We believe this will be the first of many collaborative opportunities with our partners at the Florida Center for Innovation,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial. “This is a perfect example of how we can provide valuable clinical resources that are critical to scientific research and that can profoundly impact the way health care is delivered.”
The study will be overseen at VGTI by Dr. Sekali and Lydie Trautmann, Ph.D., and at Martin Memorial by Richard Dube, MD, and Paul Gaeta, MD. The purpose of the study, which is expected to involve approximately 270 subjects, is to investigate how the body’s immune cells react to exposure to a viral infection such as the flu, either by immunization or by infection with the virus itself.
In the case of influenza infection the body reacts very quickly. During infection, the immune system produces cells that fight the infection. At the same time, the immune system produces antibodies that are able to protect against future infections from the same infection.
The study of this process will allow researchers to better understand the reaction the body has against the virus. Better understanding of the model for acute phase of influenza infection will be helpful in determining protective strategies and developing innovative vaccine and immune therapies to control the current flu epidemic, HIV and other chronic infections.
Three groups of subjects are being asked to participate in the study. That includes:
· Men and women who have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose and are diagnosed with the seasonal flu (both types A and B) by having a positive rapid flu test. Blood will be drawn at that visit, with a second blood draw taking place 30 days later. One hundred individuals will be recruited in this group.
· Men and women who have flu-like symptoms and are diagnosed with the flu by having a positive rapid flu test for type A flu only. Blood will be drawn at that visit, followed by another draw 30 days later. Twenty individuals will be recruited in this group.
· Men and women who are scheduled to have the flu vaccine. There are three subgroups featuring healthy subjects receiving flu vaccine – a total of 50 in each group – who receive either seasonal flu vaccine or H1N1 flu vaccine, or seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine. Study participants will receive a blood draw the day of their vaccination, another three to seven days later, as well as another blood draw 30 days after the first sample.
Those interested in participating in the study can call (772) 288-5858 and select option four.
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