scholarly journals ESCAPE: An Open-Label Trial of Personalized Immunotherapy in Critically lll COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Eleni Karakike ◽  
George N. Dalekos ◽  
Ioannis Koutsodimitropoulos ◽  
Maria Saridaki ◽  
Chryssa Pourzitaki ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Macrophage activation-like syndrome (MALS) and complex immune dysregulation (CID) often underlie acute respiratory distress (ARDS) in COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the effect of personalized immunotherapy on clinical improvement of critical COVID-19. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this open-label prospective trial, 102 patients with ARDS by SARS-CoV-2 were screened for MALS (ferritin &#x3e;4,420 ng/mL) and CID (ferritin ≤4,420 ng/mL and low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression on CD14-monocytes). Patients with MALS or CID with increased aminotransferases received intravenous anakinra; those with CID and normal aminotransferases received tocilizumab. The primary outcome was ≥25% decrease in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and/or 50% increase in the respiratory ratio by day 8; 28-day mortality, change of SOFA score by day 28, serum biomarkers, and cytokine production by mononuclear cells were secondary endpoints. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The primary study endpoint was met in 58.3% of anakinra-treated patients and in 33.3% of tocilizumab-treated patients (<i>p</i>: 0.01). Most patients in both groups received dexamethasone as standard of care. No differences were found in secondary outcomes, mortality, and SOFA score changes. Ferritin decreased among anakinra-treated patients; interleukin-6, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, and HLA-DR expression increased among tocilizumab-treated patients. Survivors by day 28 who received anakinra were distributed to lower severity levels of the WHO clinical progression scale. Greater incidence of secondary infections was found with tocilizumab treatment. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Immune assessment resulted in favorable anakinra responses among critically ill patients with COVID-19 and features of MALS<i>.</i>

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Karakike ◽  
George N. Dalekos ◽  
Ioannis Koutsodimitropoulos ◽  
Maria Saridaki ◽  
Chryssa Pourzitaki ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTRationaleMacrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and complex immune dysregulation (CID) often underlie acute respiratory distress (ARDS) in COVID-19.ObjectiveTo investigate the outcome of personalized immunotherapy in critical COVID-19.MethodsIn this open-label prospective trial, 102 patients with SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) score ≥2 or ARDS by SARS-CoV-2 were screened for MAS (ferritin more than 4420 ng/ml) and CID (ferritin ≤4420 ng/ml and low expression of HLA-DR on CD14-monocytes). Patients with MAS and CID with increased aminotransferases were assigned to intravenous anakinra; those with CID and normal aminotransferases to tocilizumab. The primary outcome was at least 25% decrease of SOFA score and/or 50% increase of respiratory ratio by day 8; 28-day mortality, change of SOFA score by day 28; serum biomarkers and cytokine production by mononuclear cells were secondary endpoints.Measurements and Main ResultsThe primary study endpoint was met in 58.3% of anakinra-treated patients and in 33.3% of tocilizumab-treated patients (odds ratio 3.11; 95% CIs 1.29-7.73; P: 0.011). No differences were found in mortality and in SOFA score changes. By day 4, ferritin was decreased among anakinra-treated patients; interleukin (IL)-6, soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the expression of HLA-DR were increased among tocilizumab-treated patients. Anakinra increased capacity of mononuclear cells to produce IL-6. Survivors by day 28 who received anakinra were distributed to scales of the WHO clinical progression of lower severity. Greater incidence of secondary infections was found with tocilizumab treatment.ConclusionsBiomarkers may guide favourable anakinra responses in critically ill patients with COVID-19.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04339712


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evdoxia Kyriazopoulou ◽  
Periklis Panagopoulos ◽  
Simeon Metallidis ◽  
George N. Dalekos ◽  
Garyfallia Poulakou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe management of pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 should rely on early recognition of the risk for progression to severe respiratory failure (SRF) and its prevention. We investigated if early suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor)-guided anakinra treatment could prevent COVID-19-assocated SRF.MethodsIn this open-label prospective trial, 130 patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia SARS-CoV-2 and suPAR levels ≥6 μg/l were assigned to subcutaneous anakinra 100mg once daily for 10 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of SRF at day 14. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality, changes in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, of cytokine-stimulation pattern and of circulating inflammatory mediators. Equal number of propensity score-matched comparators for comorbidities, severity on admission and standard-of care (SOC) were studied.ResultsThe incidence of SRF was 22.3% (95% CI, 16.0-30.2%) among anakinra-treated patients and 59.2% (95% CI, 50.6-67.3%; P: 4.6 x 10−8) among SOC comparators (hazard ratio, 0.30; 95%CI, 0.20-0.46). 30-day mortality was 11.5% (95% CI, 7.1-18.2%) and 22.3% (95% CI, 16.0-30.2%) respectively (hazard ratio 0.49; 95% CI 0.25-0.97%; P: 0.041). Anakinra treatment was associated with decrease in SOFA score and in circulating interleukin (IL)-6, sCD163 and sIL2-R; the serum IL-10/IL-6 ratio on day 7 was inversely associated with the change in SOFA score. Duration of stay at the intensive care unit and at hospital was shortened compared to the SOC group; the cost of hospitalization was decreased.ConclusionsEarly suPAR-guided anakinra treatment is associated with decrease of the risk for SRF and restoration of the pro- /anti-inflammatory balance.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04357366


Blood ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 2707-2715 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Cemerlic ◽  
B Dadey ◽  
T Han ◽  
L Vaickus

Abstract The feasibility of combining the Lym-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was evaluated. We used an in vitro tumor lysis model that incorporated fresh CLL cells from 21 different patients as targets for two distinct normal human leukocyte effector subsets, neutrophils, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Lym-1 antigen (Lym-1- Ag) expression varied greatly and did not correlate with the expression of other CLL-associated antigens such as CD5, CD19, or HLA-DR. CLL cells were not lysed by neutrophils alone or with IFN-gamma in the absence of Lym-1. Neutrophil Lym-1-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC) in the absence of IFN-gamma was weak and inconsistent. IFN-gamma exposure induced MoAb-dependent lysis of 80% of 21 CLL targets and resulted in an eightfold augmentation of neutrophil ADCC against the remainder. Cytotoxicity correlated directly and positively with Lym-1-Ag expression. Confirmation of the need for interaction between neutrophil IgG Fc receptors (Fc gamma Rs) and the Fc portion of the Lym-1 MoAb was obtained by demonstrating that purified Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (SpA) inhibited ADCC. IFN-gamma exposure caused no consistent alternations in Lym-1-Ag expression on CLL cells so that target antigen upregulation was unlikely to account for augmentation of neutrophil ADCC. PBMCs alone, exposed to interkeukin-2 (IL-2) or IFN-gamma, or with Lym-1 in the presence or absence of IL-2 or IFN-gamma were unable to lyse CLL targets. PBMCs were able to kill Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells in conjunction with Lym-1, so their ability to interact with Lym- 1-coated targets and their lytic functions appeared intact. These results emphasize the importance of examining fresh tumor cells with different leukocyte effector subsets before designing a clinical trial that combines a therapeutic MoAb with a cytokine.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 1141-1145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagop M. Kantarjian ◽  
Francis J. Giles ◽  
Kapil N. Bhalla ◽  
Javier Pinilla-Ibarz ◽  
Richard A. Larson ◽  
...  

Abstract Nilotinib is a potent selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase approved for use in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP), and in CML-CP and CML-accelerated phase after imatinib failure. Nilotinib (400 mg twice daily) was approved on the basis of the initial results of this phase 2 open-label study. The primary study endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving major cytogenetic response (CyR). All patients were followed for ≥ 24 months or discontinued early. Of 321 patients, 124 (39%) continue on nilotinib treatment. Overall, 59% of patients achieved major CyR; this was complete CyR (CCyR) in 44%. Of patients achieving CCyR, 56% achieved major molecular response. CyRs were durable, with 84% of patients who achieved CCyR maintaining response at 24 months. The overall survival at 24 months was 87%. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, generally transient, and easily managed. This study indicates that nilotinib is effective, with a manageable safety profile, and can provide favorable long-term benefits for patients with CML-CP after imatinib failure. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00109707.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9532-9532 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. George ◽  
P. G. Casali ◽  
J. Blay ◽  
A. Le Cesne ◽  
A. R. Tyler ◽  
...  

9532 Background: Sunitinib malate (SU11248) is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor and antiangiogenic activities due to inhibition of KIT, VEGFRs, PDGFRs, RET, and FLT3. In previous phase I/II and III trials in pts with imatinib-resistant GIST, sunitinib demonstrated efficacy and favorable clinical tolerability when administered in 6-week treatment cycles consisting of 4 weeks sunitinib (50 mg QD), followed by 2 weeks off treatment. The current study examined continuous sunitinib dosing as a way to avoid potential reactivation of tumor cells during the off-treatment period. Methods: This open-label, multicenter, phase II trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sunitinib administered once daily using a continuous-treatment regimen in pts with imatinib-resistant GIST. Treatment is initiated with 37.5 mg sunitinib daily, with the option to titrate dosing on an individual basis depending on tolerability. The primary study endpoint is clinical benefit rate, defined as percent of evaluable pts with confirmed CR, PR, or SD ≥24 weeks using RECIST. Secondary endpoints included ORR, TTP, PFS, OS, and safety/tolerability measures. Results: Of 28 pts who had started treatment at the time of this analysis, early results were available for 17 pts from two centers. The most commonly occurring treatment-related adverse events were stomatitis, hand-foot syndrome, gastroesophageal reflex, and fatigue, which were generally grade 1. Two pts experienced treatment-related grade 3 hypertension, and another exhibited grade 3 asymptomatic neutropenia. Five pts have been evaluated for benefit after 8 weeks of treatment. Stable disease (which is the clinical benefit typically observed in GIST pts treated with sunitinib) was demonstrated in all five pts. Expanded safety/tolerability and efficacy results will be available for presentation. Conclusions: Continuous dosing of sunitinib is feasible and appears to be associated with acceptable tolerability in pts with imatinib-refractory GIST, similar to the extensive experience documented with intermittent sunitinib dosing. It is possible that continuous daily dosing of sunitinib may further improve the outcomes of pts with GIST. [Table: see text]


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1798
Author(s):  
Kai-Yin Hung ◽  
Yi-Hsuan Tsai ◽  
Chiung-Yu Lin ◽  
Ya-Chun Chang ◽  
Yi-Hsi Wang ◽  
...  

The effects of diabetes and glucose on the outcomes of patients with sepsis are somewhat conflicting. This retrospective study enrolled 1214 consecutive patients with sepsis, including a subpopulation of 148 patients with immune profiles. The septic patients were stratified according to their Diabetes mellitus (DM) status or peak glucose level (three-group tool; P1: ≤140 mg/dL, P2: 141–220 mg/dL, P3: >220 mg/dL) on day 1. Although the DM group had a lower hazard ratio (HR) for 90-day mortality compared to non-DM patients, the adjusted HRs were insignificant. The modified sequential organ failure assessment-glucose (mSOFA-g) score can predict 90-day survival in patients with and without diabetes (β = 1.098, p < 0.001; β = 1.202, p < 0.001). The goodness of fit of the mSOFA-g score was 5% higher than the SOFA score of the subgroup without diabetes. The SOFA score and human leukocyte antigen-D-related (HLA-DR) expression were comparable between the groups. The P3 group had lower HLA-DR expression on days 1 and 3 and a higher 90-day mortality. The three-group tool was useful for predicting 90-day mortality in patients with separate Kaplan-Meier survival curves and mortality HRs in the construction and validation cohorts. The peak glucose level, instead of diabetes status, can be used as an easy adjunctive tool for mortality risk stratification in critically ill septic patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 326-326
Author(s):  
Romaine Charles Nichols ◽  
Christopher G. Morris ◽  
Thomas J. George ◽  
Robert Anthony Zaiden ◽  
Elizabeth Johnson ◽  
...  

326 Background: Review initial outcomes for patients enrolled on the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute PC01 protocol for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Methods: The protocol received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval in 7/2007. The first patient was enrolled in 4/2010. The accrual target was 66 patients to test if the Serious Adverse Event (SAE) ratecould be reduced from 15% (expected) to less than 5%. Protocol therapy consisted of proton therapy to a planning target volume (PTV) dose of 59.4 Cobalt Gray Equivalent (CGE) at 1.8CGE per fraction with concomitant oral Capecitabine (1000mg PO BID 5 days/week on radiation treatment days). Only gross disease was targeted. Results: 12 patients were enrolled. 1 patient died of a gunshot wound 5 days after starting treatment so only 11 patients are reported. Median follow up from start of treatment: 13 months (range 2 to 21 months). Median age: 68 (range 51 to 86) years. Gender: Males 5, Females 6. Race/Ethnicity: 9 White, 2 Hispanic. Overall survival: 90% at 6 months and 60% at 12 months. Freedom from progression: 80% at 6 months and 53% at one year. Local control: 100% at 6 months and 86% at 12 months. Freedom from metastasis: 80% at 6 months and 67% at 12 months.No patient experienced any grade 3 or greater toxicity during treatment or the follow up period. Grade 2 toxicity was limited to a single patient experiencing grade 2 fatigue. Median weight loss over the course of treatment was 1.7 (range: loss of 5.7 to gain of 4.9) Kg. 4 patients were deemed to have had an adequate radiographic response to radiotherapy so as to justify surgical exploration. Conclusions: Proton therapy to 59.4 CGE with concomitant Capecitabine was well tolerated with no grade 2 or greater gastrointestinal toxicities. 4 of 11 patients achieved a radiographic response allowing for attempted surgical resection. The study was closed to accrual on 9/1/2013 due to recognition that slow accrual made achievement of the primary study endpoint unlikely. At the same time, the lack of any meaningful gastrointestinal toxicity suggests significant opportunities for treatment intensification when proton therapy is used in this setting. Clinical trial information: NCT00685763.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9521-9521
Author(s):  
Xieqiao Yan ◽  
Xinan Sheng ◽  
Lu Si ◽  
Zhihong Chi ◽  
Chuanliang Cui ◽  
...  

9521 Background: Mucosal melanoma is rare and associated with extremely poor prognosis. There was no standard treatment for advanced mucosal melanoma patients. BEAM study had demonstrated the effectivity and safety of bevacizumab combined with carboplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with previously untreated metastatic melanoma. This study was to evaluate the activity of bevacizumab combined with carboplatin plus paclitaxel in Patients with Previously Untreated Advanced Mucosal Melanoma. Methods: This study is an open-label, multicenter, randomized phase II trial. Eligible patients had metastatic, recurrent, or unresectable mucosal melanoma and no received any systemic therapy before enrollment. Patients were randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to receive bevacizumab (CPB arm, 5mg/kg every two weeks) or placebo (CP arm) with carboplatin (area under the curve, 5) plus paclitaxel (175 mg/m2). Treatment was continued for both groups until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, death, or withdrawal of consent. The primary study endpoint is progress-free survival (PFS). Overall survival, disease control rate, and safety will also be assessed. Results: The first patient visit was December 1st, 2013, and the final data cutoff was August 30th, 2018. At that time, 114 patients were randomly assigned to receive CP or CPB therapy. Median PFS was 3.2 months for the CP arm and 4.7 months for the CPB arm (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.33-0.72; P = 0.001). Median OS was 9.0 months in the CP arm versus 12.9 months in the CPB arm (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40-0.92; P = 0.02). The PFS was longer in the CPB arm in the subgroups of patients with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) more than 4 and patients with abnormal lactate dehydrogenase concentration (1.2 v 3.0 months, HR, 0.38; 2.0 v 4.7 months, HR, 0.39, respectively). Multivariate analysis using the Cox model showed that combination with bevacizumab was the predictor for better disease control and survival (PFS: HR 0.400, 95% CI 0.251-0.636, P < 0.001; OS: HR 0.505, 95% CI 0.313-0.814, P = 0.005). No new safety signals were observed. Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the largest study about advanced mucosal melanoma. This study demonstrated that bevacizumab in combination with carboplatin plus paclitaxel is active and safe regimen as first line treatment in patients with in advanced mucosal melanoma. A phase III study will be necessary to confirm the benefit, especially in some special setting such as elevated NLR and elevated LDH subgroups. Clinical trial information: NCT02023710.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 494-494
Author(s):  
Andrea Necchi ◽  
Daniele Raggi ◽  
Marco Bandini ◽  
Elena Farè ◽  
Patrizia Giannatempo ◽  
...  

494 Background: Pembrolizumab (pembro) is a new standard of care in chemotherapy (CT) pre-treated patients (pts) with metastatic UC. Nab-paclitaxel (nPtx) demonstrated preliminary activity in advanced UC. In the PEANUT study (NCT03464734) we investigate their combination in advanced UC after CT failure. Methods: In an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial, pts receive 200 mg pembro, intravenously (IV), on D1 and 125 mg/m2 IV nPtx on D1 and D8, every 3 weeks, until disease progression (PD) or onset of unacceptable toxicity. Key inclusion criteria are: predominant UC histology, failure of ≤2 platinum-based CT for metastatic disease. Response is evaluated by RECIST v.1.1 criteria every 2 cycles. Biomarkers include PD-L1 expression with the combined positive score (CPS) and comprehensive genomic profiling on tumor and blood samples (FoundationONE and FoundationACT assay). The primary endpoint of the study is the progression-free survival (PFS). The target is to detect an improvement in the median PFS from ≤3.0 months (H0) to ≥5.0 months (H1). Results: Between 01 and 08/2019, PEANUT enrolled 46 pts evaluable for the study endpoint: 26% female, median age 66 y (range 43-78); 70% had failed 1 prior systemic therapy vs 30% 2 prior therapies; 24% had ECOG-performance status 1; 28% had liver metastases. The median TMB was 6.9 mut/Mb. After median follow-up of 5 months, 18 pts have relapsed (39%). The projected median PFS was 7 months (95%CI: 4-not achieved). The confirmed objective response-rate (ORR) was 47.8% (95%CI: 32.9-63.1): 18 partial responses and 4 complete responses (8.7%). Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAE) were seen in 6 pts (13%). Most common any-grade TRAE included alopecia (91%), asthenia (21.7%), and neutropenia (15%). Neither TMB nor CPS were significantly associated with PFS on univariable analyses. 7/8 pts with PI3KCA mutations in matched tumor/blood samples had an objective response (87.5%). Conclusions: Preliminary results from PEANUT study demonstrated a promising PFS and a clinically meaningful ORR in II-III line setting of advanced UC. Updated data, including mature PFS, duration of response and biomarkers will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT03464734.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Huang-Pin Wu ◽  
Chi-Chung Shih ◽  
Duen-Yau Chuang ◽  
Tien-Hsing Chen

Background.Sepsis-induced immunosuppression may result in higher mortality rates in patients.Methods. We examined the relationship of cytokine responses from stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) expression (days 1 and 7) with low-dose steroid therapy in 29 septic patients. Patients were treated according to the guidelines. Thirty healthy controls were enrolled for validation.Results. Eighteen patients were prescribed low-dose steroids and 11 were not. Interleukin- (IL-) 12 responses in patients without low-dose steroid therapy on days 1 and 7 were higher than those with low-dose steroid therapy. Compared to day 1, IL-12 responses significantly increased on day 7 in patients without low-dose steroid therapy. After regression analysis, the change in the IL-12 response from day 7 to day 1 was found to be independently associated with the low-dose steroid therapy. There was no difference in monocyte HLA-DR expression between patients treated with and without low-dose steroid on day 1 or 7. No change in monocyte HLA-DR expression from day 7 to day 1 was observed in patients with or without low-dose steroid therapy.Conclusion. Decreased IL-12 response was associated with the low-dose steroid therapy in PBMCs of septic patients.


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