A Study of Bevacizumab for Adults with Long-Lasting Breathing Problems After COVID-19 Infection

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What is this study about?

This study is looking at people who have lasting breathing problems after recovering from COVID-19 infection. The condition being studied involves adults who continue to experience shortness of breath for more than three months after having acute COVID-19. These patients have reduced lung function, specifically a decrease in the ability of their lungs to transfer oxygen from the air into the blood, which is measured by a test. The treatment being tested in this study is bevacizumab, which is given as an infusion into a vein. This medication is being investigated to see if it can help improve lung function in people with these long-lasting effects of COVID-19.

The purpose of this study is to find out if bevacizumab can improve the lung’s ability to transfer oxygen in patients with long COVID who have impaired lung function. The study will measure whether there is an improvement in this lung function test within three months after receiving the first bevacizumab treatment. The medication will be given over a treatment period of up to two months, and patients will be followed for seven months in total to see how their symptoms and lung function change over time.

During the study, patients will have their breathing ability and lung function checked at different time points after starting bevacizumab treatment. The study will also look at various symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and other effects that long COVID can have on daily life, mental health, and thinking abilities. Blood samples will be collected to measure certain substances in the blood that are related to blood vessel growth. The study will also keep track of any unwanted effects from the medication and whether patients need any medical care during the seven-month follow-up period.

1 First treatment administration

You will receive bevacizumab through intravenous infusion, which means the medication will be delivered directly into your vein.

This marks the beginning of your participation in the trial, referred to as Day 1.

2 One month follow-up visit

At 1 month after receiving bevacizumab, you will attend a follow-up visit.

Your clinical symptoms will be assessed using several questionnaires including the mMRC Scale (a tool to measure breathlessness), Borg Scale (to assess the intensity of breathing difficulty), STOP-BANG Questionnaire (to evaluate sleep-related breathing problems), WHODAS 2.0 (to measure disability and functioning), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (to assess daytime sleepiness).

Pulmonary function tests will be performed to measure how well your lungs are working. These tests will evaluate parameters such as FEV1 (the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second), FVC (the total amount of air you can exhale), TLC (total lung capacity), RV (residual volume, or the air remaining in lungs after exhaling), and DLCO (a measure of how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood).

A 6-minute walking test will be conducted to assess your exercise capacity.

Blood samples will be collected to measure levels of circulating angiogenic biomarkers, which are substances in the blood related to blood vessel formation.

3 Two month follow-up visit

At 2 months after receiving bevacizumab, you will attend another follow-up visit.

Your clinical symptoms will be assessed again using the same questionnaires: mMRC Scale, Borg Scale, STOP-BANG Questionnaire, WHODAS 2.0, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Pulmonary function tests will be repeated to measure FEV1, FVC, TLC, RV, and DLCO.

A 6-minute walking test will be performed.

Blood samples will be collected to measure circulating angiogenic biomarkers.

4 Three month follow-up visit

At 3 months after receiving bevacizumab, you will attend a follow-up visit.

Your clinical symptoms will be evaluated using the mMRC Scale, Borg Scale, STOP-BANG Questionnaire, WHODAS 2.0, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Additional assessments will be conducted to evaluate your psychological, cognitive, and autonomic functions. These will include the Nijmegen Questionnaire (to assess breathing pattern disorders), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (to measure anxiety and depression), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (to evaluate cognitive function), the Ricci-Gagnon Physical Activity Questionnaire (to assess physical activity levels), and the Somatic Symptom Disorder Scale-12 (to evaluate physical symptoms and their impact).

Pulmonary function tests will be performed to measure FEV1, FVC, TLC, RV, and DLCO.

A 6-minute walking test will be conducted.

Blood samples will be collected to measure circulating angiogenic biomarkers.

The primary outcome of the trial will be assessed at this visit by evaluating whether there has been a 10% increase in DLCO compared to the baseline measurement taken before treatment began.

5 Seven month follow-up visit

At 7 months after receiving bevacizumab, you will attend a final follow-up visit.

Your clinical symptoms will be assessed using the mMRC Scale, Borg Scale, STOP-BANG Questionnaire, WHODAS 2.0, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Psychological, cognitive, and autonomic functions will be evaluated again using the Nijmegen Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Ricci-Gagnon Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Somatic Symptom Disorder Scale-12.

Pulmonary function tests will be performed to measure FEV1, FVC, TLC, RV, and DLCO.

A 6-minute walking test will be conducted.

Blood samples will be collected to measure circulating angiogenic biomarkers.

Throughout the entire 7-month period, any side effects related to bevacizumab will be monitored, as well as any hospitalizations or medical consultations that occur.

Who Can Join the Study?

You must be over 18 years old and 70 years old or younger
You must have social security coverage, which is health insurance through a government program
You must be able to understand and read French well
You must be willing to sign a written informed consent, which is a document showing you agree to join the study after learning about it
You must have had a confirmed COVID-19 infection more than 3 months before joining the study, proven by a PCR test (a swab test that detects the virus) or a CT scan (a special type of x-ray imaging)
You must have long COVID with shortness of breath that affects your daily activities, measured by a scale called mMRC with a score of 2 or higher at the time of joining
You must have a DLCO test result below 75% of the expected normal value. DLCO is a breathing test that measures how well oxygen moves from your lungs into your blood. This test must have been done within the last 3 months, or you will need to have this test done before starting the study

Who Cannot Join the Study?

Pregnancy or breastfeeding – Women who are pregnant or nursing a baby cannot participate
Active cancer – Patients currently being treated for cancer or with cancer that is spreading
Recent surgery – Patients who had a major operation within the last 28 days
Bleeding problems – Patients with conditions that cause abnormal bleeding or blood clotting issues
Uncontrolled high blood pressure – Blood pressure that remains high despite taking medications
Heart problems – Recent heart attack (within 6 months) or severe heart failure
Stroke history – Previous stroke or mini-stroke within the past 6 months
Serious wounds – Open wounds or ulcers that are not healing properly
Kidney disease – Severe kidney problems or protein in the urine
Allergic reactions – Known allergy to bevacizumab (the study medication) or similar drugs
Blood vessel problems – History of abnormal connections between arteries and veins
Bowel perforation – Previous hole or tear in the intestines
Other lung diseases – Severe lung conditions not related to COVID-19 that could affect breathing tests
Unable to perform tests – Patients who cannot complete the breathing function tests required for the study

Where you can join this trial?

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Verified Sites

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Other Sites

Site Name	City	Country	Status
Hopital Beaujon	Clichy	France

Trial status

Country	Status	Recruitment Start
France	Not yet recruiting	15.09.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Bevacizumab

Bevacizumab is a medicine that works by blocking the growth of new blood vessels. It is being tested in this study to see if it can help people who continue to have breathing problems after recovering from COVID-19. The study will look at whether this medicine can improve lung function in patients whose lungs are not working as well as they should be.

Investigated diseases:

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Long COVID – Long COVID is a condition that occurs in some people who have had COVID-19, where symptoms continue for more than three months after the initial infection. One of the main symptoms is persistent shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, which makes it difficult for patients to breathe normally during daily activities. The condition can affect lung function, particularly the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen from the air into the bloodstream. Patients may experience ongoing fatigue, reduced physical capacity, and difficulty performing routine tasks. The condition can also impact psychological well-being, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. Long COVID symptoms can persist for many months after the acute infection has resolved.

Trial ID:

2024-520308-24-00

Protocol code:

APHP241020

Trial Phase:

Therapeutic exploratory (Phase II)

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A Study of Bevacizumab for Adults with Long-Lasting Breathing Problems After COVID-19 Infection

What is this study about?

Who Can Join the Study?

Who Cannot Join the Study?