Efficacy of repeated immunoadsorption in post-COVID ME/CFS

Dr Elisa Stein presented results from an observational study involving 20 patients with ME/CFS or Long COVID. The subjects had elevated autoantibody concentrations against the β2-adrenergic receptor and received immunoadsorption on an outpatient basis in five sessions over 10 days. Seven individuals showed no change, while 14 responded to the therapy, showing improved functional status, a reduction in immunoglobulins and autoantibodies, and a reduction in Post-exertional Malaise (PEM) and pain. These indicate that immunoadsorption can improve the symptoms of ME/CFS and Long COVID. However, the effects are not permanent, as only antibodies are washed from the blood, but antibody-producing cells are not reduced. Further research should differentiate more precisely which subgroups of patients respond to the therapy and for what reasons, and should also investigate a combination of immunoadsorption with B-cell depletion therapies.