Covid19CAR-CFNCT04863573
COVID-19 Antibody Responses In Cystic Fibrosis
An observational study of Covid19 and Cystic Fibrosis, run by Queen's University, Belfast at 11 sites in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic. It is unclear whether the relatively low number of reported cases of COVID-19 in people with CF (pwCF) is due to enhanced infection prevention practices or whether pwCF have protective genetic/immune… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Covid19, Cystic Fibrosis
- How many people
- 1,000 participants
- Where
- 11 sitesUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 19 Nov 2021to Aug 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Consenting people with cystic fibrosis of any age, genotype, transplant status and disease severity will be eligible to participate in the study. The study population is expected to be representative of the general CF population.
Who may be able to join
- Consenting people with cystic fibrosis of any age, genotype, transplant status and disease severity
Who cannot join
- Refusal to give informed consent
- Contraindication to venepuncture.
- Participants already enrolled in a clinical trial are eligible for enrollment in this study. Inclusion in CAR-CF should not preclude enrollment in other observational clinical trial studies or clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product (CTIMP).
Trial locations and contacts
11 sites in 1 country.
11 sites in 1 country
United Kingdom11 sites
Queens University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland
University Hospitals Birmingham Nhs Foundation Trust
Birmingham, England, B15 2GW
Birmingham Women'S and Children'S Nhs Foundation Trust
Birmingham, England, B4 6NH
Cardiff & Vale University Lhb
Cardiff, Wales, CF14 4HH
Cardiff & Vale University Lhb
Cardiff, Wales
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Glasgow, Scotland, G12 0XH
Leeds Teaching Hospitals Nhs Trust
Leeds, England, LS9 7TF
King'S College Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust
London, England, SE5 9RS
Royal Brompton & Harefield Nhs Foundation Trust
London, England, SW3 6NP
Nottingham University Hospitals Nhs Trust
Nottingham, England, NG7 2UH
University Hospital Southampton Nhs Foundation Trust
Southampton, Engladn, SO16 6YD
About this study
Official title: COVID-19 Antibody Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: CAR-CF
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic. It is unclear whether the relatively low number of reported cases of COVID-19 in people with CF (pwCF) is due to enhanced infection prevention practices or whether pwCF have protective genetic/immune factors. This study aims to prospectively assess the proportion of pwCF, including both adults and children with CF who have evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over a two-year period. This study will also examine whether pwCF who have antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 have a different clinical presentation and what impact this has on their CF disease. The proposed study will recruit pwCF from paediatric and adult CF centres throughout the United Kingdom. Serological testing to detect antibodies will be performed on blood samples taken at month 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 with additional time-points if bloodwork is available via normal clinical care. Clinical data on, lung function, CF-related medical history, pulmonary exacerbations, antibiotic use, and microbiology and vaccination receipt, will be collected during routine clinical assessments.
Associations will be examined between socio-demographic and clinical variables and serologic testing. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on clinical outcomes and analyse end-points will be examined to explore any age-related or gender-based differences, as well as subgroup analysis of outcomes in lung-transplant recipients and pwCF receiving CFTR modulator therapies. As pwCF receive COVID-19 vaccination a comparison of the development and progression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and vaccination SARS-CoV-2 over time will be performed.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study in people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) that involves repeated serial sampling of participants. This study design was chosen to provide comprehensive information on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence changes over time and the subsequent clinical impact on pwCF. The study will be conducted at participating CF centres over a 3-year period. Study participants will include paediatric and adult pwCF. For the UK section of the study, UK investigators in the European Cystic Fibrosis Society-Clinical Trials Network (ECFS-CTN) will be invited to participate. Participating investigators can enrol all eligible pwCF over a 12-month period. Participants are then followed up for 24 months. Participants will donate blood samples at their routine clinic visits. Blood samples will be collected at Day 0 (baseline), at Months 6, 12, 18 and 24 (to coincide with routine clinical reviews). Additional blood samples will be taken opportunistically every time the participant visits the clinic for blood draws. These blood samples could be related to, routine care, annual review visits, pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), CF complications or when initiating new treatments (e.g. CFTR modulators).
Serum from blood samples will be shipped to a central laboratory (Queen's University Belfast) for standardized measurement of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Alongside the blood samples the investigators will also collect clinical data from the patient's health records and will input this data into the case report form (CRF). Clinical data will be collected in conjunction with routine care visits, according to local clinical practice. Investigators will collect data elements from information routinely recorded in the patients' medical records. Data will be collected at baseline, month 6, 12, 18 and 24 as per the study schedule, and at additional blood sampling timepoints as previously explained above. Data collection will include routine data available from CF clinic follow-ups including background demographic information, CF medical history, medications, exacerbation information, sputum microbiology and clinical and lung function parameters. Information on SARS-CoV-2 infection history and vaccine receipt will also be collected.
The maximum follow-up duration of participation in the study for each patient will be 24 months. This study duration (24-month follow-up) is justified as it provides sufficient time to observe changes in antibody prevalence over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as sufficient time to determine long term clinical outcomes for pwCF who are SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Furthermore, we anticipate the 2-year study follow-up period will provide sufficient time to observe the impact of vaccination on antibody levels given that a number of vaccines are now commercially available.
The investigators will compare the level of antibody responses between natural COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pwCF and how this varies over time. This will be achieved by analyzing seroprevalence and antibody levels according to natural infection and vaccination status and according to time of sample post infection or post vaccination, if known.
Optional Study sample collection:
For participants who consent, a second blood sample will also be drawn into EDTA tubes (plasma). Consent to this optional study sample would allow this sample and any remaining serum (following antibody testing) to be stored for future analysis and allow further research to be carried out on related studies to COVID-19 and CF.
- Conditions
- Covid19, Cystic Fibrosis
- Medical subject headings
- COVID-19, Cystic Fibrosis
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence
proportion of pwCF with at least 1 seropositive result over the study period and the difference in this proportion by age, geographical area and over time.
Measured: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Association of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, clinical symptoms and clinical outcomes in pwCF
incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 over the study period and severity; proportion of seropositive pwCF with subsequent CF exacerbation compared to pwCF who are seronegative; death rate in pwCF with at least one seropositive result compared to pwCF who are seronegative.
Measured: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Longitudinal comparison of the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Measuring detectable antibody levels for each study participant at baseline and at each study time point including 6,12, 18 and 24 months post enrollment with additional samples if participant has blood drawn for other clinical care reason.
Measured: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Serum proteomic and genomic responses of pwCF who are SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and seronegative.
Measuring detectable proteomic and genomic responses in pwCF according to serostatus (positive or negative for antibodies) as well as according to natural infection versus vaccination
Measured: anticipated 5-10 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Apr 2021
- Study start19 Nov 2021
- Primary completionAug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Covid19Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Queen's University, Belfast
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Damian Downey, Queen's University, Belfast
- Investigators
- Damian Downey, Principal investigator, Queens University Belfast
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04863573
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- B21/07
- Acronym
- CAR-CF
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Apr 2021
- Last updated
- 28 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- COVID-19 Antibody Responses In Cystic Fibrosis: CAR-CF
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04863573
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CAR-CF / B21/07
- Conditions
- Covid19, Cystic Fibrosis
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 1,000 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Queen's University, BelfastUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Study start
- 19 Nov 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic. It is unclear whether the relatively low number of reported cases of COVID-19 in people with CF (pwCF) is due to enhanced infection prevention practices or whether pwCF have protective genetic/immune factors. This study aims to prospectively assess the proportion of pwCF, including both adults and children with CF who have evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies over a two-year period. This study will also examine whether pwCF who have antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 have a different clinical presentation and what impact this has on their CF disease. The proposed study will recruit pwCF from paediatric and adult CF centres throughout the United Kingdom. Serological testing to detect antibodies will be performed on blood samples taken at month 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 with additional time-points if bloodwork is available via normal clinical care. Clinical data on, lung function, CF-related medical history, pulmonary exacerbations, antibiotic use, and microbiology and vaccination receipt, will be collected during routine clinical assessments.
Associations will be examined between socio-demographic and clinical variables and serologic testing. The effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on clinical outcomes and analyse end-points will be examined to explore any age-related or gender-based differences, as well as subgroup analysis of outcomes in lung-transplant recipients and pwCF receiving CFTR modulator therapies. As pwCF receive COVID-19 vaccination a comparison of the development and progression of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and vaccination SARS-CoV-2 over time will be performed.
Detailed description
This is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study in people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) that involves repeated serial sampling of participants. This study design was chosen to provide comprehensive information on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence changes over time and the subsequent clinical impact on pwCF. The study will be conducted at participating CF centres over a 3-year period. Study participants will include paediatric and adult pwCF. For the UK section of the study, UK investigators in the European Cystic Fibrosis Society-Clinical Trials Network (ECFS-CTN) will be invited to participate. Participating investigators can enrol all eligible pwCF over a 12-month period. Participants are then followed up for 24 months. Participants will donate blood samples at their routine clinic visits. Blood samples will be collected at Day 0 (baseline), at Months 6, 12, 18 and 24 (to coincide with routine clinical reviews). Additional blood samples will be taken opportunistically every time the participant visits the clinic for blood draws. These blood samples could be related to, routine care, annual review visits, pulmonary exacerbations (PEx), CF complications or when initiating new treatments (e.g. CFTR modulators).
Serum from blood samples will be shipped to a central laboratory (Queen's University Belfast) for standardized measurement of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Alongside the blood samples the investigators will also collect clinical data from the patient's health records and will input this data into the case report form (CRF). Clinical data will be collected in conjunction with routine care visits, according to local clinical practice. Investigators will collect data elements from information routinely recorded in the patients' medical records. Data will be collected at baseline, month 6, 12, 18 and 24 as per the study schedule, and at additional blood sampling timepoints as previously explained above. Data collection will include routine data available from CF clinic follow-ups including background demographic information, CF medical history, medications, exacerbation information, sputum microbiology and clinical and lung function parameters. Information on SARS-CoV-2 infection history and vaccine receipt will also be collected.
The maximum follow-up duration of participation in the study for each patient will be 24 months. This study duration (24-month follow-up) is justified as it provides sufficient time to observe changes in antibody prevalence over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as sufficient time to determine long term clinical outcomes for pwCF who are SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Furthermore, we anticipate the 2-year study follow-up period will provide sufficient time to observe the impact of vaccination on antibody levels given that a number of vaccines are now commercially available.
The investigators will compare the level of antibody responses between natural COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pwCF and how this varies over time. This will be achieved by analyzing seroprevalence and antibody levels according to natural infection and vaccination status and according to time of sample post infection or post vaccination, if known.
Optional Study sample collection:
For participants who consent, a second blood sample will also be drawn into EDTA tubes (plasma). Consent to this optional study sample would allow this sample and any remaining serum (following antibody testing) to be stored for future analysis and allow further research to be carried out on related studies to COVID-19 and CF.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Consenting people with cystic fibrosis of any age, genotype, transplant status and disease severity will be eligible to participate in the study. The study population is expected to be representative of the general CF population.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Consenting people with cystic fibrosis of any age, genotype, transplant status and disease severity
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Refusal to give informed consent
- Contraindication to venepuncture.
- Participants already enrolled in a clinical trial are eligible for enrollment in this study. Inclusion in CAR-CF should not preclude enrollment in other observational clinical trial studies or clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product (CTIMP).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
proportion of pwCF with at least 1 seropositive result over the study period and the difference in this proportion by age, geographical area and over time.
Association of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, clinical symptoms and clinical outcomes in pwCF
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 over the study period and severity; proportion of seropositive pwCF with subsequent CF exacerbation compared to pwCF who are seronegative; death rate in pwCF with at least one seropositive result compared to pwCF who are seronegative.
Longitudinal comparison of the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Measuring detectable antibody levels for each study participant at baseline and at each study time point including 6,12, 18 and 24 months post enrollment with additional samples if participant has blood drawn for other clinical care reason.
1 secondary outcome
Serum proteomic and genomic responses of pwCF who are SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and seronegative.
Time frame: anticipated 5-10 years
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Aug 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Damian Downey principal investigator
Queens University Belfast
11 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Covid19 and Cystic Fibrosis, run by Queen's University, Belfast at 11 sites in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 11 sites in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
SARS-COV-2 seroprevalence (time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Aug 2026.