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Host Response Mediators in Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection - Is There a Protective Effect of Losartan and Other ARBs on Outcomes of Coronavirus Infection?

Registration Number
NCT04606563
Lead Sponsor
University of British Columbia
Brief Summary

SARS-CoV-2 is a member of a class of viruses: angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-binding viruses that study calls "ABVs". The World Health Organization (WHO) and others are performing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of vaccines and novel antivirals to address SARS-CoV-2 directly. However, the critical illness complications of COVID-19 are caused in part by SARS-CoV-2's binding and inhibiting ACE2 and the consequent host response.

ACE 2 is the receptor for H1N1, H5N1, and SARS-CoV-2. After binding ACE2, SARS-CoV-2 is endocytosed, and surface ACE2 is down-regulated, increasing angiotensin II (ATII a potent vasoconstrictor) in COVID-19. The original ARBs limits lung injury in murine influenza H7N9 and decreases viral titre and RNA.

Study has a unique opportunity to complement vaccine and anti-viral RCTs with an RCT modulating the host response using an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARBs) to decrease the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patient.

Detailed Description

PURPOSE: There is clinical equipoise around the safety and efficacy of ARBs in COVID-19, but there are few RCTs of ARBs in COVID-19. Guo and colleagues' meta-analysis showed that ARBs/ACE inhibitor use was associated with decreased mortality. Our structured literature review (Cheng et al., submitted) shows that SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses that bind ACE2 cause acute cardiac injury in nearly 50% of cases. Safety concerns of ARBs in COVID-19 arise because ARBs increase cardiac ACE2, potentially increasing SARS-CoV-2 cellular uptake and worsening outcomes. On the other hand, ARBs block the effects of excess angiotensin II and could be beneficial. Our proposed ARBs CORONA II Phase 3 RCT will establish whether ARBs can decrease mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

HYPOTHESIS:

Primary - ARBs (losartan, valsartan, azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, olmesartan, telmisartan) decreases mortality and are safe in hospitalized COVID-19 infected adults compared to standard of care.

Secondary - ACE pathway proteins (ATI, AT1-7, ATII, ACE and ACE2 levels), cytokines and metabolomics/proteomics predict mortality and efficacy of ARBs in hospitalized COVID19 adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN: Study will assess ARBs (losartan, valsartan, azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, olmesartan, telmisartan) (see 6.3 Intervention for more) vs. usual care for safety and efficacy in decreasing organ dysfunction and mortality of hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Dr. Srinivas Murthy and Dr Rob Fowler, co-investigators herein and PIs of the CATCO RCT in Canada, Dr. John Marshall, co-investigator herein and PI of REMAPCAP, and Dr. Russell have coordinated alignment by allowing co-enrollment and harmonization of data and sample collection and primary endpoints.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
341
Inclusion Criteria
  • Hospitalized
  • Must be first admission of COVID-19, not re-admission
  • Primary reason for hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization is because of acute COVID-19 diagnosis
  • Adults 18 years of age or greater
  • Laboratory-proven COVID-19 within 14 days prior to hospital admission
Exclusion Criteria
  • Hypotension (SAP < 100 mmHg or DAP < 50 mmHg or MAP < 65 mmHg)
  • Hyperkalemia (> 5.5 mmol/l)
  • Acute kidney injury (urine output < 0.5 ml/kg/hr and new creatinine > 200 mmol/l, or increase > 100 mmol/l, or GFR < 30 ml/min)
  • Use of aliskiren in patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2) or moderate-severe renal impairment (GFR less than 60mL/min)
  • Use of ARB/ACEi within 7 days of presentation
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have a known allergy to ARBs or any component of the drug product
  • Have written legal document to withhold life-sustaining (patients not wishing to receive Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can participate if other medical treatments will be given)
  • Have signed a Do No Resuscitate (DNR) Form

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)LosartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)ValsartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)AzilsartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)CandesartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)EprosartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)OlmesartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)IrbesartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
ARBs (Losartan, Valsartan, Azilsartan, Candesartan, Eprosartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)TelmisartanPatients will initially receive initial dose of oral ARBs, increased to higher dose after 24 hours and then increased to a max dose after another 24 hours, dependent on tolerance. Patient will remain at dose for duration of hospital (max of 3 months if still hospitalized). Tolerance is defined as having no severe adverse events 24 hours after the first dose. Investigators and/or attending physicians discretion may dictate that dose will not be increased, at which point dose will stay at initial or higher dose.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mortality28 days

Survival status

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Severe adverse events6 months

Severe adverse effects of ARBs and mortality

Days alive and free of vasopressors, ventilation, and renal replacement therapyup to 14 days

Survival and ICU support status

SOFA score28 days

Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score

Mortalityat 1, 3 and 6 months

Survival status

ICU Admissionup to 6 months

Location within hospital (ICU or wards)

Hospital Mortalityup to 6 months

Survival status

Acute cardiac injury6 months

Use of inotropic agents and increase(s) of of troponin and/or NT-proBNP from admission level

Trial Locations

Locations (13)

Royal Jubilee Hospital

🇨🇦

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

St Paul's Hospital

🇨🇦

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Ottawa Hospital

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Niagara Health

🇨🇦

Saint Catharines, Ontario, Canada

CHU de Québec - Université Laval

🇨🇦

Laval, Quebec, Canada

University of Calgary - Foothills

🇨🇦

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Vancouver General Hospital

🇨🇦

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Sunnybrook Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

McGill University Health Center

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

St Michael's Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Angers

🇫🇷

Angers, France

Université de Sherbrooke

🇨🇦

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Surrey Memorial Hospital

🇨🇦

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

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