Multiparametric [18F]F-AraG Imaging in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)

NCT ID: NCT07076862

Last Updated: 2026-02-02

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

EARLY_PHASE1

Total Enrollment

51 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-12-04

Study Completion Date

2029-12-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

This study uses total-body \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG PET/CT imaging to investigate immune activation and vascular changes in individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as Long COVID. Participants will undergo dynamic PET/CT imaging along with blood biomarker assessments and symptom evaluations. The study aims to characterize sites of immunological perturbation, correlate PET imaging findings with peripheral blood markers, and evaluate longitudinal changes in tissue-based immune activity in relation to symptom patterns over time. Data from this study will improve understanding of tissue-level immune dysregulation in PASC and support future clinical tools for assessing and managing this condition.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is associated with persistent immune dysregulation affecting multiple organ systems. This prospective, non-randomized, open-label research study will apply high-sensitivity total-body PET/CT imaging using the investigational radiotracer \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG to map immune activation across diverse tissues in PASC and COVID-19-recovered control participants. The tracer, \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG, selectively accumulates in activated T cells and allows kinetic modeling of immune cell activity in vivo.

A total of 51 participants will be enrolled, including 34 PASC participants and 17 controls. All participants will undergo baseline imaging, and a subset of 17 PASC participants will complete two additional follow-up scans at 4 and 8 months. Each imaging visit includes a dynamic PET/CT scan, peripheral blood draws for plasma proteomics and immunophenotyping, and symptom questionnaires collected through the UCSF LIINC cohort.

Findings will be used to identify tissue-specific immune signatures associated with symptom phenotypes and assess how these evolve over time. The results will help clarify the biological basis of PASC and support the development of future diagnostic or monitoring strategies. No direct health benefit is anticipated for participants.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

PASC Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be enrolled into one of four parallel imaging subgroups based on disease status and study group assignment. No crossover will occur.
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Thisis an open-label study. Neither participants nor investigators are blinded to imaging group assignment or visit schedule.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

A.1 - Control Group (90-min dynamic + 4-h static PET/CT)

Control participants in this arm will undergo a 90-minute dynamic \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG total-body PET/CT scan, followed by a second 30-minute static PET/CT scan approximately 4 hours after tracer injection. Blood samples will be collected during the dynamic scan to support kinetic modeling.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

A.1 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (90-min dynamic + 4-h static)

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 90-minute total-body PET/CT scan and an additional 30-minute static scan at 4 hours post-injection. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

A.2 - Control Group (60-min dynamic PET/CT only)

Control participants in this arm will undergo a 60-minute dynamic \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG total-body PET/CT scan. No delayed imaging will be performed. Blood samples will be collected during the dynamic scan.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

A.2 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (60-min dynamic only)

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 60-minute total-body PET/CT scan. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

B.1 - PASC Group (90-min dynamic + 4-h static PET/CT)

PASC participants in this arm will undergo a 90-minute dynamic \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG total-body PET/CT scan, followed by a second 30-minute static scan approximately 4 hours post-injection. Blood samples are collected during the scan.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

B.1 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (90-min dynamic + 4-h static)

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 90-minute total-body PET/CT scan and a second 30-minute scan at 4 hours. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

B.2 - PASC Group (60-min dynamic PET/CT only)

PASC participants in this arm will undergo a 60-minute dynamic \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG PET/CT scan. No delayed imaging is performed. Blood samples are collected during imaging.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

B.2 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (60-min dynamic only)

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants receive 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG intravenously followed by a 60-minute total-body PET/CT scan. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

A.1 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (90-min dynamic + 4-h static)

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 90-minute total-body PET/CT scan and an additional 30-minute static scan at 4 hours post-injection. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

Intervention Type DRUG

A.2 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (60-min dynamic only)

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 60-minute total-body PET/CT scan. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

Intervention Type DRUG

B.1 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (90-min dynamic + 4-h static)

Participants receive an intravenous injection of 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG followed by a 90-minute total-body PET/CT scan and a second 30-minute scan at 4 hours. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

Intervention Type DRUG

B.2 - [¹⁸F]F-AraG PET/CT (60-min dynamic only)

Participants receive 5 mCi (±20%) of \[¹⁸F\]F-AraG intravenously followed by a 60-minute total-body PET/CT scan. Blood samples (up to 42 mL total) are collected during dynamic imaging.

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age ≥ 18 years
2. Ability to understand the purposes and risks of the trial and willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent form.
3. Willingness and ability to comply with all protocol required procedures.
4. For participants of reproductive potential, defined as individuals who have not been post-menopausal for at least 24 consecutive months (i.e., who have had menses within the preceding 24 months), or women who have not undergone surgical sterilization, specifically hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy or bilateral salpingectomy, willingness to use effective double barrier contraceptive methods (excluding withdrawal or timing methods) during the study and up to 1 day after the last administration of the radiotracer.
5. Previous diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection as defined by a prior positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid-based diagnostic test performed in a clinical laboratory on one or more nasopharyngeal or respiratory secretion samples or from an FDA-approved rapid antigen test at home. Documentation of the positive test will be requested but not required; if not available the participant will be asked to attest to the presence of a positive test.
6. Onset of COVID-19 symptoms (or if no symptoms, time of initial nucleic acid or antigen-based diagnostic test) at least 3 months prior to the baseline study visit.
7. Ability to travel to our research sites in San Francisco and Sacramento.
8. Laboratory evaluations obtained within 60 days prior to entry:

1. Hemoglobin ≥ 8g/dL
2. Platelet count ≥ 75,000 cells/mm3
3. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \> 1000 cells/mm3
4. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \< 3 × ULN units/L
5. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \< 3 × ULN units/L
6. Calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥ 60mL/min as estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation:

For men, (140 - age in years) × (body weight in kg) ÷ (serum creatinine in mg/dL × 72) = CrCl (mL/min)\*

\*For women, multiply the result by 0.85 = CrCl (mL/min)
9. For PASC participants only: Reporting at least 2 unexplained symptoms, with at least 1 symptom in the fatigue domain and at least 1 symptom in either cardiopulmonary or neurocognitive domains, that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Symptoms may be new onset after initial COVID-19 recovery or persist from the initial acute phase and may fluctuate or relapse over time. (According to World Health Organization definition of PASC http://www.WHO.int )
10. For control participants only: Individuals who have made full clinical recovery within 4-12 weeks of acute COVID-19 infection with no newly developed symptoms or changes in health after recovery.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Serious comorbidities (nonmalignant disease or other conditions) that in the opinion of the investigator could compromise protocol objectives.
2. Any condition that alters the function of their immune system or any conditions caused by malfunction of their immune system and would interfere with imaging, including known underlying inflammatory or immune disorders, systemic malignancy, or other chronic viral infections (such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C).
3. Received vaccination of any type, including a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, within 30 days of imaging
4. Pregnant or nursing individuals. A urine or HCG serum pregnancy test with a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL will be performed at screening and on the day of PET/CT imaging at no charge to all participants of reproductive potential (see definition above).
5. Participants who have had prior allogeneic stem cell or solid organ transplant.
6. Previously diagnosed myelodysplasia syndrome or history of lymphoproliferative disease prior to study entry.
7. Active systemic autoimmune diseases not related to COVID-19.
8. Self-reported history of dysphoria or anxiety in closed spaces (i.e., uncontrolled claustrophobia).
9. Concurrent or prior enrollment in a separate research study involving a PET scan performed within the last 12 months for research purposes only.
10. Body weight is more than 240 kg (529 pounds)
11. Prisoners
12. Life expectancy \< 24 months
13. Recent use of medication including guanosine or cysteine analogs.
14. Any other criteria which would make the participant unsuitable for enrollment to this study, as determined by the Principal Investigator.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, San Francisco

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, Davis

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Negar Omidvari, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, Davis

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

UC Davis EXPLORER Molecular Imaging Center

Sacramento, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Clinical Research Team

Role: CONTACT

916-731-9004

Negar Omidvari, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Clinical Research Team

Role: primary

916-731-9004

LIINC Study Team

Role: primary

415-502-2449

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

1R01AI185685-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

2339805

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Long COVID-19 and MAB Study
NCT05508295 UNKNOWN