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Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC in Subjects With COVID-19

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
COVID-19
SARS-CoV 2
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC (5-ALA + SFC)
Registration Number
NCT04542850
Lead Sponsor
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain
Brief Summary

This is an open-label, interventional exploratory study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC in subjects with acute moderate or severe respiratory illness secondary to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) involving 40 subjects.

The primary objective is to evaluate the safety of 4-week oral administration of 5-ALAPhosphate + SFC. This study is expected to last for 4 weeks and will include follow-up until day 28 in the hospital or in an outpatient setting if the subjects are discharged earlier.

Detailed Description

This is an open-label, interventional exploratory study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC in subjects with acute moderate or severe respiratory illness secondary to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).

Heme is critical for appropriate oxygen binding and delivery to remote site and without the heme contained within the hemoglobin tetramer, multicellular organisms would be unable to survive. Furthermore HO-1 degrades heme into biliverdin, carbon monoxide (CO), and iron, and biliverdin is immediately reduced and turned into bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. Biliverdin/bilirubin and CO both have anti-oxidative functions and they regulate important biological processes like inflammation, apoptosis, cell proliferation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, HO-1 is deemed to be a promising drug target (Ryter 2006). HO-1 is a major anti-inflammatory enzyme and a key regulator that induces immune tolerance. 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC increases heme metabolism and HO-1 via enhancement of porphyrin biology and utilizes the HO-1 for endothelial pacification strategy.

The primary endpoints of this study is- all treatment emergent AEs and SAEs Grade III and IV (CTC) with reasonable possibility of causal relationship to 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC. 40 subjects with symptoms requiring hospitalization will be enrolled in thestudy, with 20 subjects enrolled in each group below:

Group 1: 20 Moderately ill hospitalized subjects not requiring assisted ventilation Group 2: 20 Severely ill hospitalized subjects requiring assisted ventilation

The duration of this clinical study will be 4 weeks, and follow-up will be performed until Day 28 in hospital, or in an outpatient setting if subjects improve and are discharged home or to alternative care facility.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Willing and able to provide written informed consent, or with a legal representative who can provide informed consent

  2. Aged ≥ 21 to 70 years

  3. Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test before beginning study dose regime

  4. qSOFA ≥ 1

  5. Currently hospitalized

  6. Moderate COVID-19 patients should meet any of the following criteria:

    evidence of lower respiratory disease by clinical assessment (qSOFA ≥ 1or imaging) and saturation of oxygen (SpO2) ≥94% on room air at sea level.

    Severe COVID-19 patients should meet any of the following criteria: a respiratory frequency >30 breaths per minute, SpO2 <94% on room air at sea level, ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) <300 mmHg, and lung infiltrates >50% (if possible to measure). In exceptional cases the investigator can decide due to certain signs and symptoms to assign a moderate patient to the severe group although not all criteria mentioned before are fulfilled (to be documented with explanation).

  7. Radiographic evidence (chest X-ray or chest CT scan) of pulmonary infiltrates

  8. Able to swallow 5 capsules of study product at dosing time points.

Exclusion Criteria
  1. Subject has critical symptoms of COVID19 infection as defined as: high-flow oxygen therapy (>15 l/min delivered by nasal cannula or mask) or invasive mechanical ventilation signifying respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction ventilation at screening.
  2. Subject is nourished via a nasogastric tube
  3. Subject has acute or chronic type(s) of porphyria or a family history of porphyria
  4. Subject has demonstrated previous intolerance of 5-ALA and/or SFC by topical or oral administration (except for photosensitivity)
  5. Pregnant or nursing women
  6. Males and females of reproductive potential who have not agreed to use an
  7. adequate method of contraception during the study For females, adequate birth control methods will be defined as: hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine device or double barrier contraception, i.e., condom + diaphragm, condom or diaphragm + spermicidal gel or foam For males, adequate birth control methods will be defined as double barrier contraception, i.e., condom + diaphragm, condom or diaphragm + spermicidal gel or foam For females, menopause is defined as one year without menses; if in question, a folliclestimulating hormone of >40 U/ml must be documented. Hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy,or bilateral tubal ligation must be documented, as applicable
  8. Subjects who are unable or unwilling to comply with requirements of the clinical trial
  9. Participation in any other clinical trial of an experimental treatment for COVID-19
  10. Evidence of multiorgan failure
  11. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) > 5 X upper limit of normal (ULN)
  12. Creatinine clearance < 50 mL/min using the Cockcroft-Gault formula for participants ≥ 18 years of age {Cockcroft 1976}
  13. Any other reason that makes the subject unsuitable in the Investigator's opinion

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Moderate group and Severe Group5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC (5-ALA + SFC)Moderate group and Severe group - . Both groups will be administered 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a natural delta amino acid widely present in nature that can be found in common food. 5-ALA combined with sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) produces the nutritional dietary supplement 5-ALA-Phosphate + SFC (5-ALA + SFC).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The incidence of treatment emergent Adverse Events (safety and tolerability) of 5-ALA-Phospate + SFC in patients with acute moderate or severe respiratory illness secondary to infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19).28 days

To describe the incidence of treatment-emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) of CTC Grades III and IV within four weeks following base line dose.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Results on patient´s Lymphocyteday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Lymphocyte value

Results on patient´s Mean arterial pressure(MAP)28 days

To describe patient´s vital signs course during study by evaluating Mean arterial pressure(MAP)

The time to resolution of patient´s symptoms28 days

To describe patient´s specific symptoms course during study.

Results of patient´s PTT parameterday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe patient´s coagulation function course during study which by evaluating the PTT value.

The total time in ICUFrom date of enrolment until last 5-ALA- Phosphate -SFC administration at day 28

To describe duration of residence in ICU in the patient groups.

Results of patient´s PT parameterday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe patient´s coagulation function course during study which by evaluating the PT value.

Results of patient´s Serum Ferritin levelday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the Serum ferritin value.

Results of patient´s T helper cells (CD4/CD8) level.day 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the T helper cells (CD4/CD8) value.

Results on patient´s Plateletsday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Platelets value

Results of patient´s D-Dimer parameterday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe patient´s coagulation function course during study which by evaluating the D-Dimer value.

Results of patient´s Procalcitonin level.day 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the Procalcitonin value.

Results of patient´s SARS-CoV-2 viral load status (efficacy)day 7, 14 and 28

To describe patient's SARS-CoV-2 viral load course during study.

Results of mechanical ventilation settings28 days

To describe mechanical ventilation settings course during study.

Results of duration of ventilationfrom date of enrolment until the extubation or until last 5-ALA- Phosphate -SFC administration on day 28

To describe duration of patient´s ventilation

Length of hospitalizationFrom date of enrolment until last 5-ALA- Phosphate -SFC administration at day 28

To describe duration of hospitalization in the patient groups.

Results of investigator´s assessment of patient´s condition using (q)SOFA scoreday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe patient´s (q)SOFA score course during study.

Results of patient´s IL-6 levelday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the IL-6 value.

Results on patient´s urineday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating urinalysis (urine test strip)

Results on patient´s heart rate (HR)28 days

To describe patient´s vital signs course during study by evaluating heart rate (HR)

Results of patient´s C-Reactive protein (CRP) levelday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the C-Reactive protein (CRP) value.

Results of patient´s Bilirubin level.day 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe infection parameter course of each patient during study by evaluating the Bilirubin value.

Results on patient´s Neutrophilsday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Neutrophils value

Results on patient´s ALTday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating ALT value

Results on patient´s Total bilirubinday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Total bilirubin value

Results on patient´s Creatinine kinaseday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Creatinine kinase value

Results on hepatic functionday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating hepatic function

Sum COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement maximum daily score over 28 days of dosing for Moderate group and for Severe group28 days

To describe patient's condition in Moderate and Severe group using average, median, minimum and maximum in COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement score.

Rate of change in COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement maximum daily score over 28 days of dosing for individual subjects in Moderate group and in Severe group28 days

To describe patient´s condition in Moderate and Severe Group using rate of change in COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement score.

Patient and subgroup profile of COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement score vs. days hospitalized28 days

To describe patient´s condition in Moderate and Severe Group using patient and subgroup profile of COVID-19 Modified Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement score vs. days hospitalized.

Overall survivalday 14 and day 28

To describe time until death from any cause

Results of investigator´s assessment of patient´s oxygen therapy28 days

To describe patient´s blood oxygenation

Results of patient´s oxygen saturation (respiratory parameters)28 days

To describe patient´s oxygen saturation course during study.

Results on patient´s Leucocytesday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Leucocytes value

Results on patient´s Serum creatinineday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Serum creatinine value

Results on patient´s Myoglobin glucoseday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Myoglobin glucose value

Results on patient´s renal functionday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating renal function

Results on patient´s iron parametersday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating iron parameters

Results on patient´s Co-infections28 days

To describe patient's Co-infections course during study.

Results on patient´s 12-lead ECGday 0, 7, 14 and 28

To describe patient´s 12-lead ECG result course during study.

Organ damage28 days

To describe patient´s organ damage status during the study

Results on patient´s ASTday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating AST value

Results on patient´s aPTTday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating aPTT value

Results on patient´s physical examinationday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe patient´s conditions course during study using physical examination which include General Appearance, ENT, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Skin and Neurological.

Results on patient´s Care Level28 days

To describe patient´s care level course during study.

Results on patient´s Hemoglobinday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Hemoglobin value

Results on patient´s Albuminday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Albumin value

Results on patient´s Blood urea nitrogenday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating Blood urea nitrogen value

Results on patient´s LDHday 0, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28

To describe laboratory assessments course during study by evaluating LDH value

Results on patient´s respiratory rate (RR)28 days

To describe patient´s vital signs course during study by evaluating respiratory rate (RR)

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Salmaniya Medical Complex

🇧🇭

Manama, Bahrain

Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services, Military Hospital

🇧🇭

Manama, Bahrain

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