The investigators propose a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, conducted in two phases. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of methotrexate in a cholesterol-rich non-protein nanoparticle (MTX -LDE) in adults diagnosed with mild Coronavirus-19(COVID-19) disease. A total of 100 patients will be randomized to receive MTX-LDE or placebo each 7 days, up to 3 times, during in hospital treatment.
The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of (MTX -LDE) in patients
with mild Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) disease.
In phase 1, firstly 3 patients with moderate COVID-19 disease will receive MTX-LDE IV 15mg
each 7 days, up to 3 times, during hospitalization. After that, 9 patients with moderate
COVID-19 disease will receive MTX-LDE IV 30mg each 7 days, up to 3 times, during
hospitalization. Follow-up assessments will occur daily following randomization during in
hospital treatment and 2 weeks after discharge for evaluation of the occurrence of adverse
events.The purpose of this phase will be evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics.
If no objection by data and safety monitoring board (DSMB), will be authorized to start the
second phase.
In phase 2, 88 patients with moderate COVID-19 disease will be randomized to receive MTX-LDE
IV 30mg or placebo-LDE IV each 7 days, up to 3 times, during hospitalization. Follow-up
assessments will occur daily following randomization during in hospital treatment and 2 weeks
after discharge for evaluation of the occurrence of any trial endpoints or other adverse
events.The primary endpoint of this phase will be reduction in duration of hospitalization
stay between groups.
Patients will undergo clinical and laboratory safety evaluations daily. An algorithm for drug
suspension based on clinical and laboratory finding will be followed.
Drug: Methotrexate-LDE phase 1
3 patients will receive MTX-LDE at the dose of 15mg IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times . After that, 9 patients will receive MTX-LDE at the dose of 30mg IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times .
All patients will receive Leucovorin (calcium foliate) 25mg IV, 24hr after administration of MTX-LDE
Other Name: MTX-LDE phase 1
Drug: Methotrexate-LDE phase 2
44 patients will receive MTX-LDE at the dose of 30mg IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times dose of 30mg IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times . All patients will receive Leucovorin (calcium foliate) 25mg IV, 24hr after administration of MTX-LDE
Other Name: MTX-LDE phase 2
Drug: Placebo-LDE phase 2
44 patients will receive Placebo-LDE IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times dose of 30mg IV each 7 days during hospitalization, up to 3 times . All patients will receive Leucovorin (calcium foliate) 25mg IV, 24hr after administration of Placebo-LDE
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients who were hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19
- Mild Coronavirus-19 disease (WHO Coronavirus-19 scale < 5)
- Fewer than 14 days since symptom onset.
- Female patient is not of childbearing potential, defined as postmenopausal for at
least 1 year or surgically sterile.
- Female patient is of childbearing potential must has a negative pregnancy test.
- Signing the study informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Need for oxygen supplementation >4 L/min via nasal cannula or ≥40% via Venturi mask.
- Need for oxygen supplementation via high-flow nasal cannula.
- Need for invasive mechanical ventilation.
- Extent of pulmonary involvement > 50% by CT scan.
- Chronic renal failure (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2)
- History of liver cirrhosis (Bilirubins levels > 3mg/dl)
- History of heart failure ( Ejection fraction <40%)
- History of Steven-Johnson disease
- History of stroke in the last 6 months
- History of sickle cell disease
- Chronic use of oral steroid therapy or other immunosuppressive or biologic response
modifiers.
- Prior history of chronic hepatitis B or C infection and known HIV positive.
- Patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer
- Sepsis caused by fungal or multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria
- Known allergy to methotrexate.
- Body mass index(BMI) > 40 or <18.5
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Patients enrolled in other clinical trials in the last 12 months
- Patient is considered by the investigator, for any reason, to be an unsuitable
candidate for the study.
Heart Institute (InCor) - University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Hospital Santa Marcelina
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Institute Prevent Senior
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Raul Maranhão, MD;PhD
+551126615951
raul.maranhao@incor.usp.br