scholarly journals Prospective, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of IMU-838, in Combination with Oseltamivir, in Adults with Coronavirus Disease 19 The IONIC Trial

Author(s):  
Kavi Sharma ◽  
Dr Lisa Berry ◽  
Dr Evangelos Vryonis ◽  
Dr Asad Ali ◽  
Dr Beatriz Lara ◽  
...  

Background: Globally there is a scarcity of effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infections (causing COVID 19). Repurposing existing medications may offer the best hope for treating COVID 19 patients to curb the pandemic. IMU-838 is a dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor, which is an effective mechanism for antiviral effects against respiratory viruses. When used synergistically with Oseltamivir, therapeutic effects have been observed against influenza and SARS-CoV-2 in rodents.(13) The IONIC trial is a randomized control trial that will investigate whether time to clinical improvement in COVID 19 patients is improved following a 14 day course of IMU-838 + Oseltamivir versus Oseltamivir alone. Methods: IONIC trial is an open label study in which participants will be randomised 1:1 in two parallel arms; the intervention arm (IMU-838 + Oseltamivir) and control arm (Oseltamivir only). The primary outcome is time-to-clinical improvement; defined as the time from randomisation to: a 2-point improvement on WHO ordinal scale; discharge from hospital, or death (whichever occurs first). The study is sponsored by UHCW NHS Trust and funded by LifeArc. Discussion: The IONIC Protocol describes an overarching trial design to provide reliable evidence on the efficacy of IMU-838 (vidofludimus calcium) when delivered in combination with an antiviral therapy (Oseltamivir) [IONIC Intervention] for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection in adult patients receiving usual standard of care. Trial Registration: The trial was registered with EudraCT (2020-001805-21) on 09.04.2020 and ISRCTN on 23.09.2020 (ISRCTN53038326) and Clinicaltrials.gov on 17.08.2020 (NCT04516915) Strengths and Limitations: This study is the first to recruit participants in the trial exploring the effectiveness of IMU-838 in COVID-19. In addition, we believe it is the only trial exploring the effectiveness of IMU-838 in combination with Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. However, to make the trial design flexible due to the on-going pandemic the trial is un-blinded.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Miller ◽  
Charles Bruen ◽  
Michael Schnaus ◽  
Jeffrey Zhang ◽  
Sadia Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors stabilize the pulmonary endothelium and block proinflammatory cytokine release, potentially mitigating respiratory complications observed in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Auxora, a novel, intravenously administered CRAC channel inhibitor, in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia METHODS: A randomized, controlled, open-label study of Auxora was conducted in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive three doses of once-daily Auxora versus standard of care (SOC) alone. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability of Auxora. Following FDA guidance, study enrollment was halted early to allow for transition to a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. RESULTS: In total, 17 patients with severe and three with critical COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized to Auxora and nine with severe and one with critical COVID-19 pneumonia to SOC. Similar proportions of patients receiving Auxora and SOC experienced ≥1 adverse event (75% versus 80%, respectively). Fewer patients receiving Auxora experienced serious adverse events versus SOC (30% versus 50%, respectively). Two patients (10%) receiving Auxora and two (20%) receiving SOC died in the 30 days after randomization. Among patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, median time to recovery with Auxora was five days versus 12 days with SOC; recovery rate ratio was 1.87 (95%CI, 0.72, 4.89). Invasive mechanical ventilation was needed in 18% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia receiving Auxora versus 50% receiving SOC (absolute risk reduction=32%; 95%CI, -0.07, 0.71). Outcomes measured by an 8-point ordinal scale were significantly improved for patients receiving Auxora, especially for patients with a baseline PaO2/FiO2=101-200. CONCLUSIONS: Auxora demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia and improved outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These results, however, are limited by the open-label study design and small patient population resulting from early cessation of enrollment in response to regulatory guidance. The impact of Auxora on respiratory complications in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia will be further assessed in a planned randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04345614. Submitted 7April2020 - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04345614


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Miller ◽  
Charles Bruen ◽  
Michael Schnaus ◽  
Jeffrey Zhang ◽  
Sadia Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors stabilize the pulmonary endothelium and block proinflammatory cytokine release, potentially mitigating respiratory complications observed in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Auxora, a novel, intravenously administered CRAC channel inhibitor, in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia METHODS: A randomized, controlled, open-label study of Auxora was conducted in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive three doses of once-daily Auxora versus standard of care (SOC) alone. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability of Auxora. Following FDA guidance, study enrollment was halted early to allow for transition to a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. RESULTS: In total, 17 patients with severe and three with critical COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized to Auxora and nine with severe and one with critical COVID-19 pneumonia to SOC. Similar proportions of patients receiving Auxora and SOC experienced ≥1 adverse event (75% versus 80%, respectively). Fewer patients receiving Auxora experienced serious adverse events versus SOC (30% versus 50%, respectively). Two patients (10%) receiving Auxora and two (20%) receiving SOC died in the 30 days after randomization. Among patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, median time to recovery with Auxora was five days versus 12 days with SOC; recovery rate ratio was 1.87 (95%CI, 0.72, 4.89). Invasive mechanical ventilation was needed in 18% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia receiving Auxora versus 50% receiving SOC (absolute risk reduction=32%; 95%CI, -0.07, 0.71). Outcomes measured by an 8-point ordinal scale were significantly improved for patients receiving Auxora, especially for patients with a baseline PaO2/FiO2=101-200. CONCLUSIONS: Auxora demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia and improved outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These results, however, are limited by the open-label study design and small patient population resulting from early cessation of enrollment in response to regulatory guidance. The impact of Auxora on respiratory complications in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia will be further assessed in a planned randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04345614. Submitted 7April2020 - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04345614


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Miller ◽  
Charles Bruen ◽  
Michael Schnaus ◽  
Jeffrey Zhang ◽  
Sadia Ali ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: Calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channel inhibitors stabilize the pulmonary endothelium and block proinflammatory cytokine release, potentially mitigating respiratory complications observed in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Auxora, a novel, intravenously administered CRAC channel inhibitor, in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia METHODS: A randomized, controlled, open-label study of Auxora was conducted in adults with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive three doses of once-daily Auxora versus standard of care (SOC) alone. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability of Auxora. Following FDA guidance, study enrollment was halted early to allow for transition to a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. RESULTS: In total, 17 patients with severe and three with critical COVID-19 pneumonia were randomized to Auxora and nine with severe and one with critical COVID-19 pneumonia to SOC. Similar proportions of patients receiving Auxora and SOC experienced ≥1 adverse event (75% versus 80%, respectively). Fewer patients receiving Auxora experienced serious adverse events versus SOC (30% versus 50%, respectively). Two patients (10%) receiving Auxora and two (20%) receiving SOC died in the 30 days after randomization. Among patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, median time to recovery with Auxora was five days versus 12 days with SOC; recovery rate ratio was 1.87 (95%CI, 0.72, 4.89). Invasive mechanical ventilation was needed in 18% of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia receiving Auxora versus 50% receiving SOC (absolute risk reduction=32%; 95%CI, -0.07, 0.71). Outcomes measured by an 8-point ordinal scale were significantly improved for patients receiving Auxora, especially for patients with a baseline PaO2/FiO2=101-200. CONCLUSIONS: Auxora demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with severe or critical COVID-19 pneumonia and improved outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. These results, however, are limited by the open-label study design and small patient population resulting from early cessation of enrollment in response to regulatory guidance. The impact of Auxora on respiratory complications in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia will be further assessed in a planned randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04345614. Submitted 7April2020 - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04345614


Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011207
Author(s):  
Renato Mantegazza ◽  
Gil I. Wolfe ◽  
Srikanth Muppidi ◽  
Heinz Wiendl ◽  
Kenji P. Fujita ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) to achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN and its open-label extension.MethodsPatients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study.ResultsA total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 87.1% of patients achieved improved status and 57.1% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected.ConclusionsEculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo.Trial registrationREGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624 (ClinicalTrials.gov).


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e054442
Author(s):  
Erin Gaughan ◽  
Tom Quinn ◽  
Annya Bruce ◽  
Jean Antonelli ◽  
Vikki Young ◽  
...  

IntroductionCOVID-19 is a new viral-induced pneumonia caused by infection with a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. At present, there are few proven effective treatments. This early-phase experimental medicine protocol describes an overarching and adaptive trial designed to provide safety data in patients with COVID-19, pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) information and exploratory biological surrogates of efficacy, which may support further development and deployment of candidate therapies in larger scale trials of patients positive for COVID-19.Methods and analysisDefine is an ongoing exploratory multicentre-platform, open-label, randomised study. Patients positive for COVID-19 will be recruited from the following cohorts: (a) community cases; (b) hospitalised patients with evidence of COVID-19 pneumonitis; and (c) hospitalised patients requiring assisted ventilation. The cohort recruited from will be dependent on the experimental therapy, its route of administration and mechanism of action. Randomisation will be computer generated in a 1:1:n ratio. Twenty patients will be recruited per arm for the initial two arms. This is permitted to change as per the experimental therapy. The primary statistical analyses are concerned with the safety of candidate agents as add-on therapy to standard of care in patients with COVID-19. Secondary analysis will assess the following variables during treatment period: (1) the response of key exploratory biomarkers; (2) change in WHO ordinal scale and National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) score; (3) oxygen requirements; (4) viral load; (5) duration of hospital stay; (6) PK/PD; and (7) changes in key coagulation pathways.Ethics and disseminationThe Define trial platform and its initial two treatment and standard of care arms have received a favourable ethical opinion from Scotland A Research Ethics Committee (REC) (20/SS/0066), notice of acceptance from The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) (EudraCT 2020-002230-32) and approval from the relevant National Health Service (NHS) Research and Development (R&D) departments (NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde). Appropriate processes are in place in order to be able to consent adults with and without capacity while following the necessary COVID-19 safe procedures. Patients without capacity could be recruited via a legal representative. Witnessed electronic consent of participants or their legal representatives following consent discussions was established. The results of each study arm will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal as soon as the treatment arm has finished recruitment, data input is complete and any outstanding patient safety follow-ups have been completed. Depending on the results of these or future arms, data will be shared with larger clinical trial networks, including the Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy trial (RECOVERY), and to other partners for rapid roll-out in larger patient cohorts.Trial registration numberISRCTN14212905, NCT04473053.


2021 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 2359-2366
Author(s):  
Francesco Di Pierro ◽  
Giuseppe Derosa ◽  
Pamela Maffioli ◽  
Alexander Bertuccioli ◽  
Stefano Togni ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6014-6014 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Cognetti ◽  
Jennifer Maria Johnson ◽  
Joseph M. Curry ◽  
Frank Mott ◽  
Samith Thomas Kochuparambil ◽  
...  

6014 Background: Patients with rHNSCC who have failed standard of care have poor prognoses and limited therapeutic options. In this study, final results are reported of a phase 2a trial of photoimmunotherapy (PIT) with a targeted drug RM-1929, consisting of the EGFR-directed antibody cetuximab conjugated to a photoactivatable dye (IRDye 700DX). Binding of the antibody-dye conjugate to cancer cells followed by photoactivation with nonthermal red light induces selective and rapid necrosis of the cancer cells, with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Methods: A phase 2a, multicenter, open-label, study of RM-1929 PIT in patients with locoregional, rHNSCC who could not be satisfactorily treated with surgery, radiation, or platinum chemotherapy was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug, RM-1929. For each treatment, nonthermal red light (690 nm) was applied to the tumors 24 hours post IV infusion of the drug. Surface illumination was administered for superficial tumors and interstitial illumination via intratumoral placement of fiber optic diffusers for deep tumors. Therapeutic response was assessed using CT RECIST 1.1 by an independent blinded radiologist. Results: Thirty rHNSCC patients were enrolled. There were no dose-limiting toxicities and one Grade 1 photosensitivity reaction. Most reported AEs were mild to moderate in severity with 96.7% (29/30) of patients with Grade 1 and 83.3% (25/30) with Grade 2, respectively. There were 13 (43.3%) patients who had at least one SAE. 86% (19/22) of SAEs were deemed unlikely related to treatment, including all 3 fatal SAEs. Three SAEs were reported to be possibly/probably related to treatment (site/oral pain, tumor hemorrhage, and airway obstruction). ORR was 50% (15/30) with 16.7% (5/30) CR and 86.7% (26/30) DCR. Median PFS and OS results will be forthcoming. Conclusions: These data indicate that RM-1929 PIT treatment was generally well tolerated with majority of AEs as mild to moderate in severity. Preliminary data showed favorable response rates in a heavily pre-treated population. A global phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway. Clinical trial information: NCT02422979.


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