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Patients with cirrhosis, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and hepatocellular carcinoma appear to be at high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and progress to most severe forms of COVID-19 with at least 5-fold increased risk of death. Patients with cirrhosis have been shown to have markedly worse outcomes from COVID-19. Moreover, there is very little data on the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in cirrhosis or liver transplant patients since they were not included in initial clinical trials.
The aim of the COBALT study is to determine the protective effect of COVID-19 vaccination in liver disease. Patients with cirrhosis have been shown to have markedly worse outcomes from COVID-19. Moreover, there is very little data on the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in cirrhosis or liver transplant patients since they were not included in initial clinical trials. We will compare responses after a 2-dose and 3-dose of the vaccine with healthy controls, to look at the level of antibody response. We will also investigate the durability of response and degree of protection against COVID-19.
This project is pivotal for vulnerable liver patients, who remain concerned about COVID-19 during this Winter season. There remains a degree of vaccine hesitancy amongst the general public, including liver patients. High-quality data are required to reassure our patients, and to identify individuals at risk of poor vaccine response and breakthrough infection. COVID-19 remains a major problem in many parts of the world, such as China and Africa. These data will inform policy for booster vaccines, and also help guide the use of novel antivirals as they become available.
European Foundation for the Study of
Chronic Liver Failure
Travessera de Gràcia 11, 7th floor
08021 Barcelona, Spain
© European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure 2024
