Following symptoms after antibody-removal treatment in post-infectious ME/CFS with autoantibodies
Observes symptom changes after immunoadsorption in adults with post-infectious ME/CFS and autoantibodies.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Observational Study on Immunoadsorption (IA) in Patients With Autoantibody-Positive Post-Infectious ME/CFS
Key facts
- Where
- Berlin, GermanySee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Source: NCT07529197, who can take part
Where in Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlin, GermanyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Trial code
- NCT07529197
- Record updated
- 14 April 2026
- Original description
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe, often infection-triggered disease characterized by debilitating fatigue and post-exertional malaise lasting over 14 hours, along with pain, cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. Around 10% of patients after mild or moderate COVID-19 develop Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS), and some meet ME/CFS criteria after six months. No causal treatment exists for ME/CFS or PCS; current approaches are symptomatic and rehabilitative. Given the high and increasing number of affected patients, there is an urgent need for evidence-based, standardized therapies.Read full original descriptionShow less
Observational Study on Immunoadsorption (IA) in Patients With Autoantibody-Positive Post-Infectious Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe, often infection-triggered disease characterized by debilitating fatigue and post-exertional malaise lasting over 14 hours, along with pain, cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. Around 10% of patients after mild or moderate COVID-19 develop Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS), and some meet ME/CFS criteria after six months. No causal treatment exists for ME/CFS or PCS; current approaches are symptomatic and rehabilitative. Given the high and increasing number of affected patients, there is an urgent need for evidence-based, standardized therapies.
Immunoadsorption (IA) is an established treatment for several autoimmune diseases. The first study demonstrating successful IA use in PCS-associated ME/CFS was published by our group in 2024. Earlier proof-of-concept studies (2018, 2020) in infection-related ME/CFS also showed symptomatic improvement in most patients.
Hypothesis:
Antibody depletion through IA improves symptoms in the majority of patients with autoantibody-positive ME/CFS and is associated with altered memory B-cell profiles before treatment.
Objective:
To observe and document symptom progression in 50 ME/CFS or PCS patients undergoing IA, and to examine whether changes in memory B-cells before treatment are linked to therapeutic response.
The study is conducted as a non-interventional observational study. IA using the TheraSorb® column (Miltenyi) is performed within its approved clinical application.
Inclusion: Patients aged 18-65 years who are able to give informed consent and have: i) ME/CFS diagnosed according to the CCC, with exertion intolerance and symptom worsening (post exertional malaise = PEM) lasting at least 14 hours and ii) Significant functional impairment with a Bell Disability Score < 60; Presence of autoantibodies (adrenergic or antineuronal antibodies); Undergoing IA with the TheraSorb® column over 5 days; Written informed consent provided by the patient; Health insurance coverage.
Exclusion: Lack of willingness to store pseudonymized disease data as part of the study; Presence of other conditions that prevent a definite ME/CFS diagnosis (e.g., heart failure, lung disease, severe depression, cancer); Acute infection (COVID, HIV, hepatitis); Severe fatigue disease with bedriddenness (Bell Disability Score < 30); Pregnancy.