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Use of Angiotensin-(1-7) in COVID-19

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Infection, Coronavirus
Respiratory Failure
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Angiotensin-(1-7)
Registration Number
NCT04633772
Lead Sponsor
Erasme University Hospital
Brief Summary

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a relevant role in COVID-19, as the virus will enter host's cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); RAS disequilibrium might also play a key role in the modulation of the inflammatory response that characterizes the lung involvement. Angiotensin-(1-7) is a peptide that could be altered in COVID-19 patient and its supplementation may potentially helpful in this setting.

Detailed Description

A novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) described in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, has led to a pandemic and to a specific coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19), which is mainly characterized by a respiratory involvement. While researching for a vaccine has been started, effective therapeutic solutions are urgently needed to face this threaten. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a relevant role in COVID-19, as the virus will enter host's cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); RAS disequilibrium might also play a key role in the modulation of the inflammatory response that characterizes the lung involvement. Angiotensin-(1-7) is a peptide that could be altered in COVID-19 patient and it may potentially improve respiratory function in this setting. This a randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated Phase I/Phase II trial is conceived to test the safety and the efficacy of intravenous angiotensin-(1-7) infusion in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The first phase of the study, with a limited number of patients (n=30) will serve to confirm the safety of the intravenous infusion of the drug by observing the incidence of the adverse events (phase I, open label). In a second phase of the study, conducted in a double-blind manner and including a larger cohort of patients (n=100, Phase II), patients will be randomly assigned to receive either an Angiotensin-(1-7) infusion or placebo. The primary endpoint of the study will be the number of supplemental oxygen-free days by day 28. Secondary outcomes will include length of hospital stay, ICU and hospital free days, ICU and hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, weaning time from mechanical ventilation if intubated, secondary infections, vasopressor needs, changes in PaO2 / FiO2, incidence of deep vein thrombosis, changes in inflammatory markers, plasma levels of angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7) and radiological findings.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
112
Inclusion Criteria
  • Admission to the Intensive Care Unit with severe pneumonia criteria (clinical signs of pneumonia + one of the following criteria: respiratory rate greater than 30/minute; signs of respiratory effort, SatO2 < 90% in room air);
  • COVID-19 confirmed or highly suspicious (positive contact or suggestive image)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with cancer (at any stage);
  • Hemodynamic instability (need for vasopressors);
  • Pregnant women; Immunocompromised patients;
  • Palliative Care;
  • Inclusion in any other interventionist study;
  • Heart failure as a predominant cause of acute respiratory failure;
  • Decompensated liver cirrhosis;
  • HIV +;
  • Dialysis;
  • Home / long-term oxygen therapy;
  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlacebo-
Angiotensin-(1-7)Angiotensin-(1-7)-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
supplemental oxygen-free days (SOFDs)28 days

28 - x, where x = number of days on which the patient is released from supplemental oxygen therapy after start

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
RAS effectors levelsBaseline, 3 and 24 hours after randomization and 72 hours after randomization

Ang II and Ang-(1-7) circulating levels using mass spectrometry

Hospital length of staythrough study completion, on average 60 days

Hospital length of stay

ventilator free days28 days

composite outcome of mortality and necessity of mechanical ventilation

ICU free daysthrough study completion, on average 40 days

number of days free from intensive care unit

CT scan findingsthrough study completion, on average 30 days

CT scan evolutions compared to baseline including findings compatible with late pulmonary fibrosis.

Changes in inflammatory markers: C reactive proteinthrough study completion, on average 30 days

C-reactive protein levels daily measurements

Changes in clinical state: vasopressors usagethrough study completion, on average 30 days

use of vasopressors during hospitalization

Chest X ray findingsthrough study completion, on average 30 days

Chest X-ray modifications until hospital discharge

Changes in inflammatory markers: chemokinesBaseline, 3 and 24 hours after randomization and 72 hours after randomization

pro-inflammatory chemokine levels (IL-1/IL-6) at baseline day 3 and 7

Changes in inflammatory markers: troponinBaseline, 3 and 24 hours after randomization and 72 hours after randomization

Troponin plasmatic levels

Changes in thrombotic markers: D-DimerBaseline, 3 and 24 hours after randomization and 72 hours after randomization

D-Dimer

Changes in clinical state: secondary infectionsthrough study completion, on average 30 days

Secondary infections recorded during hospitalization

Changes in clinical state: deep venous thrombosisthrough study completion, on average 30 days

deep venous thrombosis recorded during hospitalization

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Hospital Eduardo de Menezes

🇧🇷

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Hospital Mater Dei

🇧🇷

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

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