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Zhou G, Verweij S, Bijlsma MJ, de Vos S, Oude Rengerink K, Pasmooij AMG, van Baarle D, Niesters HGM, Mol P, Vonk JM, Hak E. Repurposed drug studies on the primary prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the pandemic: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Respir Res 2023; 10:e001674. [PMID: 37640510 PMCID: PMC10462970 DOI: 10.1136/bmjresp-2023-001674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Current evidence on the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis is inconclusive. We aimed to systematically evaluate published studies on repurposed drugs for the prevention of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 among healthy adults. DESIGN Systematic review. ELIGIBILITY Quantitative experimental and observational intervention studies that evaluated the effectiveness of repurposed drugs for the primary prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 disease. DATA SOURCE PubMed and Embase (1 January 2020-28 September 2022). RISK OF BIAS Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tools were applied to assess the quality of studies. DATA ANALYSIS Meta-analyses for each eligible drug were performed if ≥2 similar study designs were available. RESULTS In all, 65 (25 trials, 40 observational) and 29 publications were eligible for review and meta-analyses, respectively. Most studies pertained to hydroxychloroquine (32), ACE inhibitor (ACEi) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (11), statin (8), and ivermectin (8). In trials, hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis reduced laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (risk ratio: 0.82 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.90), I2=48%), a result largely driven by one clinical trial (weight: 60.5%). Such beneficial effects were not observed in observational studies, nor for prognostic clinical outcomes. Ivermectin did not significantly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR: 0.35 (95% CI 0.10 to 1.26), I2=96%) and findings for clinical outcomes were inconsistent. Neither ACEi or ARB were beneficial in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most of the evidence from clinical trials was of moderate quality and of lower quality in observational studies. CONCLUSIONS Results from our analysis are insufficient to support an evidence-based repurposed drug policy for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis because of inconsistency. In the view of scarce supportive evidence on repurposing drugs for COVID-19, alternative strategies such as immunisation of vulnerable people are warranted to prevent the future waves of infection. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021292797.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiling Zhou
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Verweij
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten J Bijlsma
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn de Vos
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Debbie van Baarle
- Virology and Immunology Research Group, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hubert G M Niesters
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Mol
- Dutch Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Judith M Vonk
- Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelko Hak
- Unit of PharmacoTherapy, Epidemiology & Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Hong H, Friedland A, Hu M, Anstrom KJ, Halabi S, McKinnon JE, Amaravadi R, Rojas-Serrano J, Abella BS, Portillo-Vázquez AM, Woods CW, Hernandez AF, Boulware DR, Naggie S, Rajasingham R. Safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine as prophylactic against COVID-19 in healthcare workers: a meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065305. [PMID: 37328184 PMCID: PMC10276967 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied the safety and efficacy of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCWs), using a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA SOURCES PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched to identify randomised trials studying HCQ. STUDY SELECTION Ten RCTs were identified (n=5079 participants). DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used in this systematic review and meta-analysis between HCQ and placebo using a Bayesian random-effects model. A pre-hoc statistical analysis plan was written. MAIN OUTCOMES The primary efficacy outcome was PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and the primary safety outcome was incidence of adverse events. The secondary outcome included clinically suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS Compared with placebo, HCWs randomised to HCQ had no significant difference in PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 0.92, 95% credible interval (CI): 0.58, 1.37) or clinically suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 0.78, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.10), but significant difference in adverse events (OR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our meta-analysis of 10 RCTs investigating the safety and efficacy of HCQ as pre-exposure prophylaxis in HCWs found that compared with placebo, HCQ does not significantly reduce the risk of confirmed or clinically suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, while HCQ significantly increases adverse events. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42021285093.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwanhee Hong
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anne Friedland
- Department of Infectious Disease, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Mengyi Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kevin J Anstrom
- Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center, University of North Carolina System, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Susan Halabi
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - John E McKinnon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ravi Amaravadi
- Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jorge Rojas-Serrano
- Interstitial Lung Disease and Rheumatology Units, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Benjamin S Abella
- Division of Hematology Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | | | - David R Boulware
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Susanna Naggie
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Radha Rajasingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases & International Medicine, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Lea AN, Leyden WA, Sofrygin O, Marafino BJ, Skarbinski J, Napravnik S, Agil D, Augenbraun M, Benning L, Horberg MA, Jefferson C, Marconi VC, Park LS, Gordon KS, Bastarache L, Gangireddy S, Althoff KN, Coburn SB, Gebo KA, Lang R, Williams C, Silverberg MJ. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status, Tenofovir Exposure, and the Risk of Poor Coronavirus Disease 19 Outcomes: Real-World Analysis From 6 United States Cohorts Before Vaccine Rollout. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1727-1734. [PMID: 36861341 PMCID: PMC10209434 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) may be at increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. We examined HIV status and COVID-19 severity, and whether tenofovir, used by PWH for HIV treatment and people without HIV (PWoH) for HIV prevention, was associated with protection. METHODS Within 6 cohorts of PWH and PWoH in the United States, we compared the 90-day risk of any hospitalization, COVID-19 hospitalization, and mechanical ventilation or death by HIV status and by prior exposure to tenofovir, among those with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection between 1 March and 30 November 2020. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) were estimated by targeted maximum likelihood estimation, with adjustment for demographics, cohort, smoking, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, calendar period of first infection, and CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA levels (in PWH only). RESULTS Among PWH (n = 1785), 15% were hospitalized for COVID-19 and 5% received mechanical ventilation or died, compared with 6% and 2%, respectively, for PWoH (n = 189 351). Outcome prevalence was lower for PWH and PWoH with prior tenofovir use. In adjusted analyses, PWH were at increased risk compared with PWoH for any hospitalization (aRR, 1.31 [95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.44]), COVID-19 hospitalizations (1.29 [1.15-1.45]), and mechanical ventilation or death (1.51 [1.19-1.92]). Prior tenofovir use was associated with reduced hospitalizations among PWH (aRR, 0.85 [95% confidence interval, .73-.99]) and PWoH (0.71 [.62-.81]). CONCLUSIONS Before COVID-19 vaccine availability, PWH were at greater risk for severe outcomes than PWoH. Tenofovir was associated with a significant reduction in clinical events for both PWH and PWoH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Lea
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Wendy A Leyden
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Oleg Sofrygin
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Ben J Marafino
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Jacek Skarbinski
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
- Oakland Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Sonia Napravnik
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Deana Agil
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michael Augenbraun
- Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, USA
| | - Lorie Benning
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael A Horberg
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Celeena Jefferson
- Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Vincent C Marconi
- Emory University School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lesley S Park
- Stanford Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Kirsha S Gordon
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lisa Bastarache
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Srushti Gangireddy
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Keri N Althoff
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sally B Coburn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kelly A Gebo
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raynell Lang
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carolyn Williams
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael J Silverberg
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California, USA
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Del Amo J. Question of Whether Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine Provides Protection Against Clinical Severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1735-1737. [PMID: 36861337 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Del Amo
- Division for HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and TB Control, Ministry of Health, Madrid, Spain
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Hernán MA, Del Amo J. Drug Repurposing and Observational Studies: The Case of Antivirals for the Treatment of COVID-19. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:556-560. [PMID: 36972545 PMCID: PMC10064276 DOI: 10.7326/m22-3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Remdesivir and molnupiravir were the only 2 repurposed antivirals that were approved for emergency use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both drugs received their emergency use authorization on the basis of a single industry-funded phase 3 trial, which was launched after evidence of in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, for tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), little in vitro evidence was generated, no randomized trials for early treatment were done, and the drug was not considered for authorization. Yet, by the summer of 2020, observational evidence suggested a substantially lower risk for severe COVID-19 in TDF users compared with nonusers. The decision-making process for the launching of randomized trials for these 3 drugs is reviewed. Observational data in favor of TDF was systematically dismissed, even though no viable alternative explanations were proposed for the lower risk for severe COVID-19 among TDF users. Lessons learned from the TDF example during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic are described, and the use of observational clinical data to guide decisions about the launch of randomized trials during the next public health emergency is proposed. The goal is that gatekeepers of randomized trials make better use of the available observational evidence for the repurposing of drugs without commercial value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Hernán
- CAUSALab and Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (M.A.H.)
| | - Julia Del Amo
- Division of HIV, STI, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis, Ministry of Health, Madrid, Spain (J.del A.)
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Del Amo J, Polo R, Moreno S, Martínez E, Cabello A, Iribarren JA, Curran A, Macías J, Montero M, Dueñas C, Mariño AI, de la Cámara SP, Díaz A, Arribas JR, Jarrín I, Hernán MA. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 in people with HIV infection. AIDS 2022; 36:2171-2179. [PMID: 36382436 PMCID: PMC9673178 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective, safe, and affordable antivirals are needed for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several lines of research suggest that tenofovir may be effective against COVID-19, but no large-scale human studies with appropriate adjustment for comorbidities have been conducted. METHODS We studied HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2020 at 69 HIV clinics in Spain. We collected data on sociodemographics, ART, CD4+ cell count, HIV-RNA viral-load, comorbidities and the following outcomes: laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. We compared the 48-week risks for individuals receiving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/FTC, abacavir (ABC)/lamivudine (3TC), and other regimes. All estimates were adjusted for clinical and sociodemographic characteristics via inverse probability weighting. RESULTS Of 51 558 eligible individuals, 39.6% were on TAF/FTC, 11.9% on TDF/FTC, 26.6% on ABC/3TC, 21.8% on other regimes. There were 2402 documented SARS-CoV-2 infections (425 hospitalizations, 45 ICU admissions, 37 deaths). Compared with TAF/FTC, the estimated risk ratios (RR) (95% confidence interval) of hospitalization were 0.66 (0.43, 0.91) for TDF/FTC and 1.29 (1.02, 1.58) for ABC/3TC, the RRs of ICU admission were 0.28 (0.11, 0.90) for TDF/FTC and 1.39 (0.70, 2.80) for ABC/3TC, and the RRs of death were 0.37 (0.23, 1.90) for TDF/FTC and 2.02 (0.88-6.12) for ABC/3TC. The corresponding RRs of hospitalization for TDF/FTC were 0.49 (0.24, 0.81) in individuals ≥50 years and 1.15 (0.59, 1.93) in younger individuals. DISCUSSION Compared with other antiretrovirals, TDF/FTC lowers COVID-19 severity among HIV-positive individuals with virological control. This protective effect may be restricted to individuals aged 50 years and older.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Del Amo
- Division of HIV, STI, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. Ministry of Health, Madrid
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
| | - Rosa Polo
- Division of HIV, STI, Hepatitis and Tuberculosis. Ministry of Health, Madrid
| | - Santiago Moreno
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
- University Hospital Ramón y Cajal Madrid
- HIV Network of Excellence
| | - Esteban Martínez
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital Clinic, Barcelona
| | - Alfonso Cabello
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital La Concepción, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid
| | | | - Adria Curran
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital, Vall D'Hebron, Barcelona
| | - Juan Macías
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital Virgen de Valme, Seville
| | - Marta Montero
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital La Fe, Valencia
| | | | - Ana I Mariño
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital El Ferrol
| | | | - Asuncion Díaz
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
- HIV Network of Excellence
- National Center for Epidemiology, Institute of Health Carlos III
| | - José Ramón Arribas
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
- HIV Network of Excellence
- University Hospital La Paz, IdiPAZ Madrid, Spain
| | - Inma Jarrín
- CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas
- HIV Network of Excellence
- National Center for Epidemiology, Institute of Health Carlos III
| | - Miguel A Hernán
- CAUSALab
- Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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