Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Alone or in Combination With Ruxolitinib in COVID-19 Associated CRS

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Cytokine Release Syndrome
COVID19

Interventions: Procedure: Therapeutic Plasma Exchange
Drug: Ruxolitinib

Registration Number: NCT04374149

Lead Sponsor: Prisma Health-Upstate

Brief Summary: 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.

Detailed Description: A virally mediated pandemic of 2020 is linked to a novel Beta Coronavirus (COVID-19) sharing subgenus classification with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. The predominant modes of transmission are respiratory aerosolization and contaminated surface contact. COVID-19 infection is characterized by a wide range of severity and disease manifestations from asymptomatic to respiratory and multi organ failure. Definitive treatment is lacking, but there is an increasing awareness of its associated systemic cascade of inflammatory molecules that offers avenues to explore therapeutically.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) offers an immediate and scientifically grounded intervention for the removal of a host of pathogenic antibodies and toxic molecules by centrifugal separation of plasma or plasma membrane filtration. TPE in conjunction with Tocilizumab and steroids has been used successfully in the management of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T).

Precedence for consideration of TPE in a variety of inflammatory dominant disease states is also well known. Interest in adjuvant treatment for management of sepsis and multi organ dysfunction has been studied. TPE has also been used in three pediatric patients with pH1N1 influenza A acute respiratory failure and hemodynamic shock despite failure of best supportive care. All three survived with "good functional recovery."

Ruxolitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) (JAK/STAT) pathway inhibitor which is FDA approved for polycythemia rubra vera, myelofibrosis and graft versus host disease. A murine model of CRS following CAR-T cellular therapy has been developed showing marked elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha mimicking human CAR-T therapy induced CRS. Ruxolitinib treated mice demonstrated clinical amelioration and decrement in inflammatory cytokines. Incyte Corporation has announced plans to launch a Phase III trial of single agent ruxolitinib for COVID-19 associated cytokine storm.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

Patients positive for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay or alternative accepted methodology
PENN class 2,3,4 CRS
Respiratory insufficiency with supplemental oxygen to maintain O2 sat greater than 89%
Clinically positive imaging by chest x-ray (CXR) or CT scan with evidence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, ground glass opacification or other pattern of consolidation felt likely to be linked to COVID infection or complication thereof
Age 12-80 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy
Breast feeding
Class 3-4 New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure
Current use of synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) or IL-6 inhibitors or other immunosuppressive therapies outside of number five below
Current use of chronic corticosteroids if in excess of prednisone 10mg per day or equivalent
Suspected or confirmed clinically significant bacterial infection
History of tuberculosis (TB)
History of HIV
History of irritable bowel disease (IBD)
JAK inhibitor use within last 30 days
Creatinine clearance less than 15 ml / min
Absolute neutrophil count < 1000
Platelet count < 50,000
Clinical assessment that the trial could pose unacceptable risk by study participation
Current enrollment on another investigational protocol for COVID-19 induced CRS
Stage 4 obstructive lung disease with chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring supplemental O2 at baseline, or interstitial lung disease (ILD) with chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring supplemental O2 at baseline

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1 - TPE Alone	Therapeutic Plasma Exchange	TPE, five single plasma volume exchanges over 7 days (every day x 2 then every other day x 3) with albumin or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) replacement if underlying coagulopathy
2 - TPE Plus Ruxolitinib	Therapeutic Plasma Exchange	TPE, five single plasma volume exchanges over 7 days (every day x 2 then every other day x 3) with albumin or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) replacement if underlying coagulopathy combined with ruxolitinib 5mg po twice daily (BID) beginning day prior to first TPE and continuing BID for total of 14 days.
2 - TPE Plus Ruxolitinib	Ruxolitinib	TPE, five single plasma volume exchanges over 7 days (every day x 2 then every other day x 3) with albumin or fresh frozen plasma (FFP) replacement if underlying coagulopathy combined with ruxolitinib 5mg po twice daily (BID) beginning day prior to first TPE and continuing BID for total of 14 days.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
C-reactive Protein (CRP) Levels at Baseline and Day 14	Baseline and at Day 14	Defined as decreasing the CRP level from baseline to study day 14
Cytokine Levels at Baseline and Day 14	Baseline and at Day 14	Defined as decreasing the interleukin (IL) IL-6 and IL-10 load and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) load from baseline to study day 14

Secondary Outcome Measures