COVID-19 Clinical Trials and Expanded Access

Background. Angiotensing converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), a key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), is the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 for cell entry into lungs. Because ACE2 may be modulated by RAAS inhibitors, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), there is concern that patients treated with ACEi and ARBs may be at higher risk for COVID-19 infection and severity. Aim. To analyze the associations between COVID-19 and hypertension, and treatments with ACEi and ARBs. Methods. In this retrospective observational study, consecutive patients hospitalized for suspected COVID-19 pneumonia will be divided into 2 groups, whether or not COVID-19 is confirmed. The two groups will be compared for baseline characteristics, mainly prior treatment with ACEi and ARBs, and clinical outcome at 1-month follow-up. The main hypothesis is that ACEi and ARBs, which interact differently with ACE2, may have different relationships with COVID-19 infection or severity.

To date, the effects of SARS-Cov-2 (Covid-19) on the myocardium and the role it plays in the evolution towards an acute myocarditis are badly understood. The current pandemic of this emerging virus is an opportunity to assess the proportion of acute myocarditis attributable to SARS-Cov-2(Covid-19) and to assess the clinical, biological and imaging presentations, by means of a national prospective multicentre hospital registry of cases of acute myocarditis.

Novel Coronavirus is reported to cause COVID-19, recently. It's known that this virus uses ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) 2 receptors to enter human cells and also blocks the activity of ACE 2. Upon these data the investigators hypothesize that, mortal hyper-inflammation state which is shown in COVID-19 cases, can be a result of angiotensin peptide (1-7) deficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effect of angiotensin peptide (1-7) supplementation on treatment of COVID-19 cases.

COVID-19 caused an unprecedented international crisis. There is an urgent need for an effective regimen to cure this illness. Anecdotal data and some prospective results suggested a role of antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) in the treatment of this disease with best available data showing value of adding azithromycin. Based on drug repurposing studies done by our team and others, we identified the autophagy/apoptosis pathway as a major target for intervention. Based on in-silico and in-vitro models, sirolimus was identified as the drug that deserves urgent prioritization. The rational for combining sirolimus and hydroxychloroquine is explained in details in the study background below and a short video prepared by study PI (https://youtu.be/-zlOMXJp2hg). The evidence for using sirolimus for influenza is emphasized by a RCT that showed reduction of mechanical ventilation time by 50% (7 days on sirolimus arm vs 15 days on oseltamivir/steroids arm). Safe administration in human subjects is illustrated by multiple phase I/II clinical trials, performed in patients with cancer. COVID19-HOPE trial will randomize patients to 2 arms: HCQ/AZ (Arm A) and HCQ/SIR (Arm B). The main inclusion criteria is an RT-PCR test confirming infection with SARS-CoV-2 along with objective clinical criteria of disease (fever, tachypnea and/or hypoxemia). The primary endpoint of study will be Time To Clinical Improvement (TTCI), defined as time from randomization to resolution of the clinical features mentioned above (no fever, no tachypnea and no hypoxemia). In addition, secondary endpoints will include clinical failure by day 28 (need for intubation and/or death), QT interval prolongation, and adverse events. The estimated NNT based on Wilcoxon Mann Whitney comparison of TTCI in study arms is 58 patients (29 each arm). The study includes an adaptive plan, meaning that after different time points the study results will be evaluated and the NNT and randomization scheme (1:1 vs. others) will be evaluated and submitted to the IRB. Also, if one arm proves to be of no value, another regimen might be introduced based on available data. The study will recruit patients for a year and once approved by IRB and JFDA attempts to recruit other centers will be made (including national and regional centers).

The study researchers think that a medication called N-acetylcysteine can help fight the COVID-19 virus by boosting a type of cell in your immune system that attacks infections. By helping your immune system fight the virus, the researchers think that the infection will get better, which could allow the patient to be moved out of the critical care unit or go off a ventilator, or prevent them from moving into a critical care unit or going on a ventilator. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved N-acetylcysteine to treat the liver side effects resulting from an overdose of the anti-inflammatory medication Tylenol® (acetaminophen). N-acetylcysteine is also used to loosen the thick mucus in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study is the first to test N-acetylcysteine in people with severe COVID-19 infections.

The research team is investigating administering exogenous surfactant in COVID-19 patients with ARDS. The overall goal is to improve the outcome (mortality) of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. Although the investigators anticipate that clinical outcomes may improve in the small group of patients receiving exogenous surfactant therapy in this small, single center study, the primary goal is to first determine feasibility and safety.

This protocol will evaluate the efficacy of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) alone or in combination with ruxolitinib in COVID positive patients with PENN grade 2, 3, 4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). It is hypothesized that dual intervention of acute apheretic depletion of cytokines and concomitant suppression of production will produce superior amelioration of the cytokine load and to help to prevent cytokine load rebound. This protocol is envisioned as a pilot study (n=20) for hypothesis generation for future investigation.

To report the possible role of S.B 8.4% in the treatment of COVID-19pneumonia.

COVID-19 may cause severe pneumonitis that require ventilatory support in some patients, the ICU mortality is as high as 62%. Hospitals do not have enough ICU beds to handle the demand and to date there is no effective cure. We explore a treatment administered in a randomized clinical trial that could prevent ICU admission and reduce mortality. The overall hypothesis to be evaluated is that HBO reduce mortality, increase hypoxia tolerance and prevent organ failure in patients with COVID19 pneumonitis by attenuating the inflammatory response.

Minimal risk research study: 1. Comparing polyester nasal swabs and foam nasal swabs to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus; 2. Quantifying the development and trajectory of the disease through clinic visits and blood values.