Cystic FibrosisCAR-CFNCT05074680
COVID-19 Antibody Responses In Cystic Fibrosis
An observational study of Cystic Fibrosis, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 2 sites in Switzerland.
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
- Cystic Fibrosis
- What is being tested?
- Blood sampling
- How many people
- 5 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 14 Feb 2022to 29 May 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Consenting people (signed informed consent by participant or parent/caregiver in case of children <14 years) 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 (signed informed consent by participant or parent/caregiver in case of children <14 years) 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
2 sites in 1 country.
Switzerland2 sites
University Children's hospital Bern
Bern, 3010
University Children's hospital, Zürich
Zurich, 8032
About this study
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 in Europe. 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. 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, the investigators 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
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Being tested
- Blood sampling
- Keywords
- Cystic Fibrosis, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
- Medical subject headings
- Cystic Fibrosis, COVID-19
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Blood samplingDiagnostic test
Blood serum samples will be collected for analysis of COVID-19 antibody levels. For participants who consent to the optional study, a second blood sample will also be drawn into EDTA tubes (plasma)
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
Longitudinal comparison of the detection including level and duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
Measured: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Serum proteomic and genomic responses
Serum proteomic and genomic responses of pwCF who are SARS-CoV-2 seropositive an seronegative.
Measured: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Oct 2021
- Study start14 Feb 2022
- Primary completion29 May 2026
- Study completion29 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cystic FibrosisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- 5 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- European Cystic Fibrosis Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Reta Fischer Biner, MD, Principal investigator, Quartier Bleu, Lindenhofspital Bern Site PIAlexander Moeller, Prof, Principal investigator, University Children's Hospital Zurich Site PICarolin Steinack, MD, Principal investigator, University Hospital Zurich Site PIPhilipp Latzin, Prof, Principal investigator, Switzerland Country PI, University Hospital Bern Site PIDamian Downey, MD, Study director, Queen's University, Belfast
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05074680
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2021-01137
- Acronym
- CAR-CF
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 8 Jul 2021
- Last updated
- 3 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- COVID-19 Antibody Responses In Cystic Fibrosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05074680
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CAR-CF / 2021-01137
- Conditions
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Keywords
- Cystic Fibrosis, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 5 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- European Cystic Fibrosis Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Study start
- 14 Feb 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 29 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Oct 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 in Europe. 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. 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, the investigators 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
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Consenting people (signed informed consent by participant or parent/caregiver in case of children <14 years) 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 (signed informed consent by participant or parent/caregiver in case of children <14 years) with cystic fibrosis of any age, genotype, transplant status and disease severity
Key exclusion criteria (2 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.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Blood samplingBlood serum samples will be collected for analysis of COVID-19 antibody levels. For participants who consent to the optional study, a second blood sample will also be drawn into EDTA tubes (plasma) | Diagnostic test | – |
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
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
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.
Longitudinal comparison
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Longitudinal comparison of the detection including level and duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pwCF following natural infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
1 secondary outcome
Serum proteomic and genomic responses
Time frame: 3-year period (comprising a 1-year enrollment period and a 2-year follow-up)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Jun 2026.
- ECFS-CTN study overviewLink provided by the sponsor.
- Study description in GermanLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
Related trials for Cystic Fibrosis
RecruitingPhase 2
A Study of 24 to 52 Weeks Treatment to Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety of Galvokimig in Adult Study Participants With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
Active, not recruitingObservational study
CFTR Modulator Effects on Bone and Muscle in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis, Bone Loss
RecruitingObservational study
Natural History of Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis, Cystic Fibrosis
RecruitingObservational study
Role of Genetic Factors in the Development of Lung Disease
Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis
RecruitingPhase 2
Early Study on Tamoxifen Safety/Tolerability in Cystic Fibrosis Patients Unable to Use CFTR Modulators.
Cystic Fibrosis - Complete
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.
Reta Fischer Biner, MD principal investigator
Quartier Bleu, Lindenhofspital Bern Site PI
Alexander Moeller, Prof principal investigator
University Children's Hospital Zurich Site PI
Carolin Steinack, MD principal investigator
University Hospital Zurich Site PI
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cystic Fibrosis, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 2 sites in Switzerland.
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 2 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Switzerland. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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 3 Jun 2026.