About the IMPACT Study
Why Join IMPACT?
Since its discovery in late 2019, COVID-19 has greatly affected millions of lives. Right now is a critical time for us to learn how COVID-19 impacts people's lives today and in the future, especially people who are at increased risk for cancer.
By joining the IMPACT Study today, you will play an important role in COVID-19 research. You can help us to better understand how the virus affects people’s immune systems, especially those who are more likely to develop blood cancers like multiple myeloma.
Even if you're healthy today and will remain so for many years to come, your blood sample can provide clues to how we may be able to prevent and minimize the IMPACT of the COVID-19 virus on future patients.
THE IMPACT STUDY'S GOAL
The IMPACT study is an affiliate study of the PROMISE or PCROWD Studies and will analyze blood samples for up to one year to study the relationship between COVID-19 exposure and the immune system. All participants enrolled in IMPACT will receive a free antibody test to determine if they have been exposed to the virus causing COVID-19.
WHO MAY JOIN THIS STUDY?
The IMPACT Study provides antibody testing for participants in THE PROMISE Study or PCROWD Studies.*
Already enrolled? Opt in by signing in to your dashboard at the PROMISE or the PCROWD.
Not enrolled? Both studies are welcoming new participants. Learn more about The PROMISE or the PCROWD studies.
ABOUT THE PROMISE AND PCROWD
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THE PROMISE Study is the first large effort to test healthy people who may be at risk for early warning signs of a blood cancer called multiple myeloma. We research these risks to learn how to prevent cancer from developing.
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PCROWD Study is a national cohort study for patients already diagnosed with precursor hematological conditions.
The PCROWD and PROMISE Studies work together to:
1) Support individuals who are either:
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Diagnosed with blood cancer-related conditions (also called hematological malignancies)
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At higher risk for developing a blood-cancer related condition.
2) Bank large quantities of tissue samples to learn more about the molecular and epidemiological qualities underlying these conditions
3) Support the pursuit of progress toward a cure with new technologies, therapies, and screening processes for precursor conditions.
Together, these sister studies aim to determine the prevalence, pathogenesis, recovery of COVID-19 in individuals with precursor conditions to hematologic malignancies and in healthy populations.
HOW WILL IT WORK?
VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP
We are seeking individual volunteers who are enrolled in the PROMISE STUDY or PCROWD STUDY to sign up for the IMPACT Study.
VOLUNTEERS TAKE A COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST
Receive a testing kit at your home by mail. Bring your IMPACT Study testing kit to one of the 2,200 Quest Diagnostics labs in the U.S. to provide a blood sample that will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.
TRACK CHANGES OVER TIME
-We will collect data and study this group of people over time.
-We will send you a research kit to submit peripheral blood (2-4 tablespoons) to the research team at DFCI at 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year post-screening.
LEARN FROM FINDINGS
The study will help us to understand your risk for blood cancer and how that impacts your response to COVID-19 and potential future vaccinations.
HOW WILL I LEARN ABOUT MY RESULTS? HOW LONG IS THIS STUDY?
Participants will receive the COVID-19 antibody test results from Quest Diagnostics by email.
Participants will be asked to submit additional samples at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months to examine their immune system.
We're Asking For Volunteers
who will help change the future for everyone.
HOW WILL THE ANTIBODY TESTS WORK?
The IMPACT Study and Quest Diagnostics will provide an antibody test developed by Abbott Laboratories (called the SARS-CoV-2 IgG Immunoassay.) This test will screen for COVID-19 antibodies using the samples provided by enrolled participants.
Is the screening test safe? Yes, the FDA-approved test happens in the lab, and nothing is injected into the participant. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG Immunoassay received an FDA Emergency Approval on April 26, 2020.
How does the lab test work?
It is important to know that this test does not determine if you have COVID-19. Instead, this test looks to see if your body is making the disease-fighting antibodies that may build up after a person has been exposed to the virus or has been sick with COVID-19. Knowing this information can help you make decisions about vaccinations and precautions.
This laboratory-based test causes microparticles to bind with antibodies and become illuminated in the participant's blood plasma sample if antibodies are present. Then the test determines the level of chemical reaction that happens. The lab-based test is a qualitative, chemiluminescent immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoassay that functions by using a microparticle solid phase coated with SARS-CoV 2 antigen specified for binding SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies.
How quickly will I learn my results?
Quest Diagnostics turn-around time for SARS-CoV-2 IgG test results is approximately 48 hours.
Results may be: Positive (reactive), negative (non-reactive), or equivocal (borderline).
How will the test be paid for?
Quest Diagnostics will perform SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) IgG antibody testing at no cost to study participants through an in-kind donation to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Quest Diagnostics is committed to understanding and exploring risk factors for COVID-19 and providing critical diagnostic insights that can help improve care,” said Yuri A. Fesko, M.D., Senior Medical Director, Oncology, Quest Diagnostics. “Our research with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute will improve scientific understanding of the unique health challenges facing patients at heightened risk for multiple myeloma and COVID-19 and potential paths to improve their care.”