[DocSavage87]

So the effectiveness of CP also depends on the selection of donors (when they recovered and titres of Ab, etc).  Not saying this is the reason why they shouldn't have started the randomized clinical trial earlier, but it's something that can have an impact on a study.

As you probably already know, these characteristics also make it more difficult to build a therapy around CP. You don't know exactly what you have in the bag and the next bag may be real different. This is also a big reason monoclonal antibodies will be preferred when a "good" mix is determined. You get the same antibody concentrations each time so at least the dose delivered is precisely known. Unfortunately that is going to take some time, so CP needs to be evaluated, despite the difficulties. If monoclonals make it obsolete very quickly, so much the better.

Sure, but we don't have monoclonal Abs yet, and there's some work to be done to determine the best agent as well.  Remember that the CP initiative started early March and was treating patients by beginning of April.  At that time it was compassionate care.  They need controlled studies but the track record of those pushing this Tx have a better track record than those pushing HCQ.  I think it shows how well-designed clinical studies need to be started ASAP before end-arounds allow word of mouth to build with increasing reluctance to participate in those critical studies.

[DocSavage87]

So the effectiveness of CP also depends on the selection of donors (when they recovered and titres of Ab, etc).  Not saying this is the reason why they shouldn't have started the randomized clinical trial earlier, but it's something that can have an impact on a study.

As you probably already know, these characteristics also make it more difficult to build a therapy around CP. You don't know exactly what you have in the bag and the next bag may be real different. This is also a big reason monoclonal antibodies will be preferred when a "good" mix is determined. You get the same antibody concentrations each time so at least the dose delivered is precisely known. Unfortunately that is going to take some time, so CP needs to be evaluated, despite the difficulties. If monoclonals make it obsolete very quickly, so much the better.

Sure, but we don't have monoclonal Abs yet, and there's some work to be done to determine the best agent as well.  Remember that the CP initiative started early March and was treating patients by beginning of April.  At that time it was compassionate care.  They need controlled studies but the track record of those pushing this Tx have a better track record than those pushing HCQ.  I think it shows how well-designed clinical studies need to be started ASAP before end-arounds allow word of mouth to build with increasing reluctance to participate in those critical studies.