Paul Moss Shares Insights from RWE Inform Study from AstraZeneca at IDWeek 2023

Shots:

Paul Moss Professor of Hematology and Deputy Head of the College of Medicine at the University of Birmingham, shares insights from the RWE INFORM study from AstraZeneca
INFORM used record data from 12 million people in the UK to study the relative risk of severe COVID-19 infection in patients with immune suppression
Even though immunocompromised people accounted for 3.9 percent of 22% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, 28% of COVID-19 ICU admissions, and 24% of COVID-19 deaths

Saurabh: With the increase in infectious diseases, can you provide more information about the INFORM study and its outcomes?

 Paul: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of patients with immune suppression to COVID-19. This led to considerable morbidity and mortality, as well as a substantial and continuing impact on mental health. The INFORM study used electronic medical records to determine the relative risk of severe COVID-19 in immune-suppressed patients during a 12-month period during which omicron was the dominant virus. Moreover, over 80% of patients had received at least 3 COVID-19 vaccines during this period.

Saurabh: What is the significance of the INFORM study in the development of drugs for infectious diseases?

Paul: Immune suppression can be secondary to many different causes. This study attaches an absolute relative risk of severe COVID-19 infection to many of these different clinical groups. This paves the way for guiding the introduction of drugs that may act to support immune protection; for instance, the use of long-acting monoclonal antibodies against COVID-19. It may also help to drive interest in developing drugs that can achieve targeted immune suppression; for example, in patients with organ transplantation whilst limiting broader vulnerability to infectious disease.

Saurabh: Can you summarize the INFORM study presented at IDWeek, including key aspects and discoveries?

Paul: Infectious diseases are a challenge to everyone – but those with immune suppression are at much greater risk and this burden impacts markedly on their physical and mental health. INFORM used clinical record data from 12 million people in the UK to determine the relative risk of severe COVID-19 infection in patients with immune suppression. This revealed that although immunocompromised individuals accounted for 3.9% of the population, they comprised 22% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, 28% of COVID-19 ICU admissions, and 24% of COVID-19 deaths. Furthermore, it was able to determine the relative increase in risk in many subgroups of patients with different forms of immune suppression.

Image Source: Canva

About the Author:

Paul Moss

Paul Moss is Professor of Hematology and Deputy Head of the College of Medicine at the University of Birmingham.

He runs a large immunology research group with a focus on viral, cancer, and transplantation immunology. He is a clinician and has responsibility for patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia, a condition associated with substantial immune deficiency.

He was previously Chair of the Infections & Immunity Board at the Medical Research Council and Chief Investigator for the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium.