RuxCoFlam is a single arm, non-randomized open phase II trial for front line treatment of Covid-19 patients with defined hyperinflammation.
RuxCoFlam is a single arm, non-randomized open phase II trial for front line treatment of
Covid-19 patients with defined hyperinflammation. Purpose of the study is the reversal of
hyperinflammation to improve pulmonary function, reduce respiratory dependency and reduce
mortality. Patients with a hyperinflammation Score 10/16 without a clinical diagnosis of
sepsis will be treated with 2 x 10mg Ruxolitinib with defined response adapted dose
escalation up to 2 x 20mg for a duration of 7 days with clinical and/or radiographic response
assessment. Inflammation assessment will be performed every other day (day 3, 5,7) using the
CIS. In patients with unaffected CIS alteration < 25% or increasing CIS > 25% dose escalation
by 5mg steps (15mg, day3; 20mg day 5) at the investigator´s discretion. Treatment can be
extended up to 28 days if clinically indicated and the benefits of treatment outweigh the
risks. Primary endpoint of the study is the overall response rate in reversal of
hyperinflammation at day 7 compared to baseline. Secondary endpoints are total use of
assisted oxygenation dependency (duration (days) of invasive/non-invasive ventilation or
duration (days) of high-flow Oxygen support), radiologic response (reversal of pulmonary
Covid-signs, Lung-XRay/CT), day 15 clinical status and day 15 and day 29 mortality. Patients
aged ≥18 years hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia (demonstrated by CXRAY or chest CT), with
a study specific Covid Inflammation Score ≥ 10 are eligible. Patients with active
tuberculosis or uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, viral, or other infection (besides SARS-CoV-2
virus) will be excluded from the study.
Drug: Ruxolitinib
2 x 10mg Ruxolitinib with defined response adapted dose escalation up to 2 x 20mg for a duration of 7 days with clinical and/or radiographic response assessment
Inclusion Criteria:
- 1. Patient or guardian must provide written informed consent (and assent if
applicable) before any study assessment is performed.
- 2. Male and female patients aged ≥ 18 years.
- 3. Patients with temperature > 37.3°C
- 4. Patients with respiratory symptoms and/or hypoxia SpO2 < 93%
- 5. Patients with Covid-19 stage II and stage III
- 6. Patients with lung imaging showing bi-pulmonary infiltrates (chest X-ray or CT
scan).
- 7. Patients, with a Covid Inflammation Score ≥ 10
Exclusion Criteria:
- 1. History of hypersensitivity to any drugs or metabolites of similar chemical classes
as ruxolitinib.
- 2. Uncontrolled active bacterial, fungal, viral, or other infection (besides
COVID-19).
- 3. Active Tuberculosis infection.
- 4. Known Positivity for HBV, HCV or HIV.
- 5. Patients who are on long-term use of oral anti-rejection or immunomodulatory drugs
- 6. Participating in any other interventional clinical trial for COVID-19.
- 7. Treatment with cytokine-directed agents such as anti-IL6 or anti-IL1R directed
antibodies (i.e. tocilizumab, anakinra). Other treatment modalities used in locally
adapted SOPs (corticosteroids, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir-ritonavir)
may be given with daily documentation of dose and schedule.
- 8. ALT or AST > 5 x ULN detected within 24 hours at screening (according to local
laboratory reference ranges).
- 9. ANC < 500/µL at screening (according to local laboratory reference ranges).
- 10. Platelet count < 50,000/µL at screening (according to local laboratory reference
ranges).
- 11. Hemoglobin < 6 g/dl (3.73mmol/l)
- 12. Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women.
- 13. Female patients of childbearing potential (e.g. are menstruating) and male
patients who do not agree to abstinence or, if sexually active, do not agree to the
use of highly effective contraception as defined below, throughout the study and for
up to 90 days after stopping treatment, OR Female patients of child-bearing potential,
defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are
using highly effective methods of contraception as defined below, throughout the study
and for up to 90 days after stopping treatment.
Highly effective contraception methods include:
- Total abstinence (when this is in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the
patient). Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal,
post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception.
- Female sterilization (have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without
hysterectomy), total hysterectomy or tubal ligation at least six weeks before taking
study treatment. In case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of
the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment.
- Male sterilization (at least 6 months prior to screening). The vasectomized male
partner should be the sole partner for that patient.
- Use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception. Placement of an
intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) or other forms of hormonal
contraception that have comparable efficacy (failure rate <1%), for example hormone
vaginal ring or transdermal hormone contraception (in case of oral contraception,
patients should have been using the same pill on a stable dose for a minimum of 3
months before Screening).
Women are considered post-menopausal and not of child bearing potential if they have had 12
months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g. age
appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms) or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy
(with or without hysterectomy), total hysterectomy or tubal ligation at least six weeks
ago. In the case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has
been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment is she considered not of child bearing
potential.
SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera GmbH
Gera, Germany
University Hospital Jena
Jena, Germany
UKSH, Campus Lübeck
Lübeck, Germany
Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart gKöR
Stuttgart, Germany
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
Ulm, Germany
Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum Villingen-Schwenningen GmbH
Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
Andreas Hochhaus, Prof. Dr., Principal Investigator
University Hospital Jena