Protecting cancer patients against severe COVID-19 infection by attempting to boost their compromised immune systems.

That is the focus of a national clinical trial this summer.

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital say they want to explore the potential of IMM-101; a preparation featuring a dead pathogen containing properties that can stimulate the first response arm of the immune system.

Lead researcher Dr. Rebecca Auer says it could help experts understand why some COVID 19 patients are relatively asymptomatic, while others end up in intensive care or die with the virus.

Cancer patients are at much higher risk of severe complications from COVID 19 because chemotherapy, cancer surgery and radiation treatments suppress innate immunity even further.

Dr. Auer points to an urgent need to protect these individuals while the world awaits an effective vaccine.