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Hagen K. Misinterpretation of statistical nonsignificance as a sign of potential bias: Hydroxychloroquine as a case study. Account Res 2024; 31:600-619. [PMID: 36469591 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2155517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
The term "statistical significance," ubiquitous in the medical literature, is often misinterpreted, as is the "p-value" from which it stems. This article explores the implications of results that are numerically positive (e.g., those in the treatment arm do better on average) but not statistically significant. This lack of statistical significance is sometimes interpreted as strong, even decisive, evidence against an effect without due consideration of other factors. Three influential articles on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a treatment for COVID-19 are illustrative. They all involve numerically positive results that were not statistically significant that were misinterpreted as strong evidence against HCQ's efficacy. These and related considerations raise concerns regarding the reliability of academic/medical reasoning around COVID-19 treatments, as well as more generally, and regarding the potential for bias stemming from conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Hagen
- Independent Scholar Former Associate Professor of Philosophy at SUNY Plattsburgh, Wesley Chapel, Florida, USA
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2
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Bhimraj A, Morgan RL, Shumaker AH, Baden L, Cheng VCC, Edwards KM, Gallagher JC, Gandhi RT, Muller WJ, Nakamura MM, O’Horo JC, Shafer RW, Shoham S, Murad MH, Mustafa RA, Sultan S, Falck-Ytter Y. Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients With COVID-19 (September 2022). Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:e250-e349. [PMID: 36063397 PMCID: PMC9494372 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There are many pharmacologic therapies that are being used or considered for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with rapidly changing efficacy and safety evidence from trials. The objective was to develop evidence-based, rapid, living guidelines intended to support patients, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals in their decisions about treatment and management of patients with COVID-19. In March 2020, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel of infectious disease clinicians, pharmacists, and methodologists with varied areas of expertise to regularly review the evidence and make recommendations about the treatment and management of persons with COVID-19. The process used a living guideline approach and followed a rapid recommendation development checklist. The panel prioritized questions and outcomes. A systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted at regular intervals. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence and make recommendations. Based on the most recent search conducted on 31 May 2022, the IDSA guideline panel has made 32 recommendations for the treatment and management of the following groups/populations: pre- and postexposure prophylaxis, ambulatory with mild-to-moderate disease, and hospitalized with mild-to-moderate, severe but not critical, and critical disease. As these are living guidelines, the most recent recommendations can be found online at: https://idsociety.org/COVID19guidelines. At the inception of its work, the panel has expressed the overarching goal that patients be recruited into ongoing trials. Since then, many trials were conducted that provided much-needed evidence for COVID-19 therapies. There still remain many unanswered questions as the pandemic evolved, which we hope future trials can answer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adarsh Bhimraj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Amy Hirsch Shumaker
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Vincent Chi Chung Cheng
- Queen Mary Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Kathryn M Edwards
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jason C Gallagher
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rajesh T Gandhi
- Infectious Diseases Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William J Muller
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mari M Nakamura
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Program and Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John C O’Horo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Joint Appointment Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Robert W Shafer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Division of Public Health, Infectious Diseases and Occupational Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Reem A Mustafa
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Shahnaz Sultan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Yngve Falck-Ytter
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
- VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio
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3
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Hernandez AV, Liu A, Roman YM, Burela PA, Pasupuleti V, Thota P, Carranza-Tamayo CO, Retamozo-Palacios M, Benites-Zapata VA, Piscoya A, Vidal JE. Efficacy and safety of ivermectin for treatment of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials with 7,035 participants. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024:107248. [PMID: 38908535 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We systematically assessed benefits and harms of the use of ivermectin in non-hospitalized patients with early COVID-19. METHODS Five databases were searched until October 17, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adult patients with COVID-19 treated with ivermectin against standard of care (SoC), placebo, or active drug. Primary outcomes were hospitalization, all-cause mortality, and adverse events (AEs). Secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation (MV), clinical improvement, clinical worsening, viral clearance, and severe adverse events (SAEs). Random effects meta-analyses were performed, with quality of evidence (QoE) evaluated using GRADE methods. Pre-specified subgroup analyses (ivermectin dose, control type, risk of bias, follow-up, and country income) and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed. RESULTS Twelve RCTs (n=7,035) were included. The controls were placebo in nine RCTs, SoC in two RCTs, and placebo or active drug in one RCT. Ivermectin did not reduce hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 0.81, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.64-1.03; 8 RCTs, low QoE), all-cause mortality (RR 0.98, 95%CI 0.73-1.33; 9 RCTs, low QoE), or AEs (RR 0.89, 95%CI 0.75-1.07; 9 RCTs, very low QoE) vs. controls. Ivermectin did not reduce MV, clinical worsening, or SAEs and did not increase clinical improvement and viral clearance vs. controls (very low QoE for secondary outcomes). Subgroup analyses were mostly consistent with main analyses, and TSA-adjusted risk for hospitalization was similar to main analysis. CONCLUSIONS In non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, ivermectin did not have effect on clinical, non-clinical or safety outcomes versus controls. Ivermectin should not be recommended as treatment in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian V Hernandez
- Health Outcomes, Policy, and Evidence Synthesis (HOPES) Group, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 N Eagleville Rd U-3092, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL), Lima 15024, Peru.
| | - Anna Liu
- Health Outcomes, Policy, and Evidence Synthesis (HOPES) Group, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 N Eagleville Rd U-3092, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Yuani M Roman
- Health Outcomes, Policy, and Evidence Synthesis (HOPES) Group, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, 69 N Eagleville Rd U-3092, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Paula Alejandra Burela
- Facultad de Salud Pública y Administración, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima 15102, Peru
| | | | | | - Cesar O Carranza-Tamayo
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Católica de Brasilia, Taguatinga, Brasília-DF 71966-700, Brazil
| | - Manuel Retamozo-Palacios
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Regional de Taguatinga, Taguatinga, Brasília-DF 72115-902, Brazil
| | - Vicente A Benites-Zapata
- Master Program in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15074. Peru
| | - Alejandro Piscoya
- Servicio de Gastroenterología, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital Guillermo Kaelin de la Fuente, Lima 15817, Peru
| | - Jose E Vidal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 01246-903, Brazil; Department of Neurology, Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas, São Paulo, SP 01246-900, Brazil; Laboratory of Medical Investigation, Unit 49, Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Focosi D, Franchini M, Maggi F, Shoham S. COVID-19 therapeutics. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0011923. [PMID: 38771027 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00119-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYSince the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, an unprecedented range of therapeutic options has been studied and deployed. Healthcare providers have multiple treatment approaches to choose from, but efficacy of those approaches often remains controversial or compromised by viral evolution. Uncertainties still persist regarding the best therapies for high-risk patients, and the drug pipeline is suffering fatigue and shortage of funding. In this article, we review the antiviral activity, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and safety of COVID-19 antiviral therapies. Additionally, we summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials on efficacy and safety of the various COVID-19 antivirals and discuss unmet needs which should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Franchini
- Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Maggi
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shmuel Shoham
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Chaudhary S, Kulkarni A. Metformin: Past, Present, and Future. Curr Diab Rep 2024; 24:119-130. [PMID: 38568468 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-024-01539-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review provides the most recent update of metformin, a biguanide oral antihyperglycemic drug used as a first-line treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus. RECENT FINDINGS Metformin continues to dominate in the world of antidiabetics, and its use will continue to rise because of its high efficiency and easy availability. Apart from type 2 diabetes, research is exploring its potential in other conditions such as cancer, memory loss, bone disorders, immunological diseases, and aging. Metformin is the most prescribed oral antidiabetic worldwide. It has been in practical use for the last six decades and continues to be the preferred drug for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus. It reduces glucose levels by decreasing hepatic glucose production, reducing intestinal glucose absorption, and increasing insulin sensitivity. It can be used as monotherapy or combined with other antidiabetics like sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, or insulin, improving its efficacy. Metformin can be used once or twice daily, depending on requirements. Prolonged usage of metformin may lead to abdominal discomfort, deficiency of Vitamin B12, or lactic acidosis. It should be used carefully in patients with renal impairment. Recent studies have explored additional benefits of metformin in polycystic ovarian disease, gestational diabetes mellitus, cognitive disorders, and immunological diseases. However, more extensive studies are needed to confirm these additional benefits.
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Mikamo H, Takahashi S, Yamagishi Y, Hirakawa A, Harada T, Nagashima H, Noguchi C, Masuko K, Maekawa H, Kashii T, Ohbayashi H, Hosokawa S, Maejima K, Yamato M, Manosuthi W, Paiboonpol S, Suganami H, Tanigawa R, Kawamura H. Efficacy and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild COVID-19 in Japan and Thailand. J Infect Chemother 2024; 30:536-543. [PMID: 38154616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug administered to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Fundamental research suggests that ivermectin is effective against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, we investigated the efficacy and safety of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment option. METHODS This multi-regional (Japan and Thailand), multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, Phase III study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild COVID-19 (IVERMILCO Study). The participants took a specified number of the investigational product (ivermectin or placebo) tablets of, adjusted to a dose of 0.3-0.4 mg/kg, orally on an empty stomach once daily for three days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the time at which clinical symptoms first showed an improving trend by 168 h after investigational product administration. RESULTS A total of 1030 eligible participants were assigned to receive the investigational product; 502 participants received ivermectin and 527 participants received a placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was approximately 96 h (approximately four days) for both ivermectin and placebo groups, which did not show statistically significant difference (stratified log-rank test, p = 0.61). The incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions did not show statistically significant differences between the ivermectin and placebo groups (chi-square test, p = 0.97, p = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS The results show that ivermectin (0.3-0.4 mg/kg), as a treatment for patients with mild COVID-19, is ineffective; however, its safety has been confirmed for participants, including minor participants of 12 years or older (IVERMILCO Study ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05056883.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshige Mikamo
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Aichi Medical University, 1-1, Yazakokarimata Nagakute-shi, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Department of Infection Control and Laboratory Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, 16-291, Minami1-jonishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido, 060-8543, Japan
| | - Yuka Yamagishi
- Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 185-1, Okocho-Kohasu, Nankoku-shi, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Akihiro Hirakawa
- Department of Clinical Biostatistics, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Harada
- Center for Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Japan Community Healthcare Organization Hokkaido Hospital, 1-8-3-18, Nakanoshima, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 062-8618, Japan
| | | | - Chiaki Noguchi
- Sumida General Clinic, 3-4-8, Taihei, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0012, Japan
| | - Kentaro Masuko
- Shimamura Memorial Hospital, 2-4-1, Sekimachi-Kita, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, 177-0051, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Maekawa
- Maekawa Medical Clinic, 1-1-8, Kitasaiwai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, 220-0004, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Kashii
- Department of Oncology, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety Toyama Rosai Hospital, 992, Rokuromaru, Uozu-shi, Toyama, 937-0042, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ohbayashi
- Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Tohno Chuo Clinic, 1-14-1, Matsugasecho, Mizunami-shi, Gifu, 509-6134, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Hosokawa
- Hosokawa Surgical Clinic, 1-75-2, Nishikomenocho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, 453-0812, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Maejima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Diabetes Medicine, Maejima Clinic, 1-15-1, Midoricho, Showa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, 466-0013, Japan
| | - Masaya Yamato
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease, Rinku General Medical Center, 2-23, Rinku-Oraikita, Izumisano-shi, Osaka, 598-8577, Japan
| | - Weerawat Manosuthi
- Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Ministry of Public Health, 38 Moo 4, Talat Khwan, Tiwanon Road, Mueang District, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Supachai Paiboonpol
- Department of Medicine, Ratchaburi Hospital, 85 Somboonkul Road, Na Mueang Subdistrict Muang District, Ratchaburi Provinc 70000, Thailand
| | - Hideki Suganami
- Global Data Science Center, Kowa Company, Ltd., 4-14, 3-Chome, Nihonbashi-Honcho Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-8433, Japan
| | - Ryohei Tanigawa
- Global Clinical Development Department, Kowa Company, Ltd., 4-14, 3-Chome, Nihonbashi-Honcho Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-8433, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Kawamura
- Medical Writing Department, Kowa Company, Ltd., 4-14, 3-Chome, Nihonbashi-Honcho Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-8433, Japan
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Siripongboonsitti T, Tawinprai K, Avirutnan P, Jitobaom K, Auewarakul P. A randomized trial to assess the acceleration of viral clearance by the combination Favipiravir/Ivermectin/Niclosamide in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 adult patients (FINCOV). J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:897-905. [PMID: 38569269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy of the viral clearance and clinical outcomes of favipiravir (FPV) in outpatients being treated for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. Ivermectin (IVM), niclosamide (NCL), and FPV demonstrated synergistic effects in vitro for exceed 78% inhibiting severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication. METHODS A phase 2, open-label, 1:1, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on Thai patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who received either combination FPV/IVM/NCL therapy or FPV alone to assess the rate of viral clearance among individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. RESULTS Sixty non-high-risk comorbid patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 were randomized; 30 received FPV/IVM/NCL, and 30 received FPV alone. Mixed-effects multiple linear regression analysis of the cycle threshold value from SARS-CoV-2 PCR demonstrated no statistically significant differences in viral clearance rates between the combined FPV/IVM/NCL therapy group and the FPV-alone group. World Health Organization Clinical Progression scores and symptomatic improvement did not differ between arms on days 3, 6, and 10, and no adverse events were reported. No patients required hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, or supplemental oxygen or died within 28 days. C-reactive protein on day 3 was lower in the FPV/IVM/NCL group. CONCLUSION Viral clearance rates did not differ significantly between the FPV/IVM/NCL combination therapy and FPV-alone groups of individuals with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, although the combined regimen demonstrated a synergistic effect in vitro. No discernible clinical benefit was observed. Further research is required to explore the potential benefits of FVP beyond its antiviral effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION TCTR20230403007, Registered 3 April 2023 - Retrospectively registered,https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=TCTR20230403007.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taweegrit Siripongboonsitti
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand; Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Kriangkrai Tawinprai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand; Princess Srisavangavadhana College of Medicine, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Panisadee Avirutnan
- Division of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Research, Department of Research and Development, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Siriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kunlakanya Jitobaom
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prasert Auewarakul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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8
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Siedner MJ, Sax PE. Repurposing Revisited: Exploring the Role of Metformin for Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019. Clin Infect Dis 2024:ciae154. [PMID: 38690870 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciae154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Siedner
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center and Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Clinical Research Department, Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Paul E Sax
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Reis G, Savassi LCM, Ferreira TS, Reis LLF, Simplicio MIC, Ribeiro LB, Silva EADSM, Lat PK, Harari O, Forrest JI, Dron L, Park JJH, Thorlund K, Mills EJ. Matched vs Nonmatched Placebos in a Randomized Trial of COVID-19 Treatments. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2410335. [PMID: 38767921 PMCID: PMC11107303 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Matched placebo interventions are complex and resource intensive. Recent evidence suggests matched placebos may not always be necessary. Previous studies have predominantly evaluated potential bias of nonmatched placebos (ie, differing on dose, frequency of administration, or formulation) in pain and mental health, but to date no systematic examination has been conducted in infectious disease. Objective To test for differences between nonmatched and matched placebo arms with respect to clinical outcome measures across multiple therapeutics for COVID-19. Design, Setting, and Participants In a comparative effectiveness research study, a post hoc analysis was conducted of data on individual patients enrolled in a large, multiarm, platform randomized clinical trial in symptomatic adult outpatients with COVID-19 between January 15, 2021, to September 28, 2023, in which the outcomes of both matched and nonmatched placebo groups were reported. Bayesian and frequentist covariate-adjusted techniques were compared with 7 intervention-placebo pairs. Exposures Seven matched and nonmatched placebo pairs (for a total of 7 comparisons) were evaluated throughout the primary platform trial. Comparisons were made between treatment and its associated matched (concurrent) placebo, as well as with nonmatched placebo (alone and in combination) assessed at a similar time point. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes assessed included hospitalizations, EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-level scores, and PROMIS Global-10 scores. Results A total of 7 intervention-control pairs (N = 2684) were assessed, including 1620 (60.4%) women, with mean (SD) age, 47 (15.2) years; the most common comorbidities were obesity (41.9%) and hypertension (37.9%). In a meta-analysis with decoupled SEs, accounting for overlapping placebo patients, the overall odds ratio (OR) of nonmatched compared with matched placebo was 1.01 (95% credible interval, 0.77-1.32), with posterior probability of equivalence, defined as 0.8 ≤ OR ≤ 1.2 (a deviation from perfect equivalence ie, OR = 1, by no more than 0.2) of 85.4%, implying no significant difference. Unadjusted analysis of the event rate difference between all nonmatched and matched placebo groups did not identify any notable differences across all 7 treatment-placebo combinations assessed. Similar analysis that was conducted for patient-reported quality of life outcomes did not yield statistically significant differences. Conclusions and Relevance In this post hoc study of a randomized clinical platform trial, pooling matched and nonmatched placebo patient data did not lead to inconsistencies in treatment effect estimation for any of the investigational drugs. These findings may have significant implications for future platform trials, as the use of nonmatched placebo may improve statistical power, or reduce barriers to placebo implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilmar Reis
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Cançado Monteiro Savassi
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Public Health, Mental and Family Medicine Department, Ouro Preto Federal University, Ouro Preto, Brazil
| | - Thiago Santiago Ferreira
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luiza Lanna França Reis
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maria Izabel Campos Simplicio
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Luciene Barra Ribeiro
- Research Division, Cardresearch-Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- David Sackett Research Institute, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ofir Harari
- Core Clinical Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Louis Dron
- Cascade Outcomes Research, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jay J. H. Park
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Core Clinical Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kristian Thorlund
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward J. Mills
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Purpose Life Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Scheim DE, Parry PI, Rabbolini DJ, Aldous C, Yagisawa M, Clancy R, Borody TJ, Hoy WE. Back to the Basics of SARS-CoV-2 Biochemistry: Microvascular Occlusive Glycan Bindings Govern Its Morbidities and Inform Therapeutic Responses. Viruses 2024; 16:647. [PMID: 38675987 PMCID: PMC11054389 DOI: 10.3390/v16040647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Consistent with the biochemistry of coronaviruses as well established over decades, SARS-CoV-2 makes its initial attachment to host cells through the binding of its spike protein (SP) to sialylated glycans (containing the monosaccharide sialic acid) on the cell surface. The virus can then slide over and enter via ACE2. SARS-CoV-2 SP attaches particularly tightly to the trillions of red blood cells (RBCs), platelets and endothelial cells in the human body, each cell very densely coated with sialic acid surface molecules but having no ACE2 or minimal ACE2. These interlaced attachments trigger the blood cell aggregation, microvascular occlusion and vascular damage that underlie the hypoxia, blood clotting and related morbidities of severe COVID-19. Notably, the two human betacoronaviruses that express a sialic acid-cleaving enzyme are benign, while the other three-SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-are virulent. RBC aggregation experimentally induced in several animal species using an injected polysaccharide caused most of the same morbidities of severe COVID-19. This glycan biochemistry is key to disentangling controversies that have arisen over the efficacy of certain generic COVID-19 treatment agents and the safety of SP-based COVID-19 vaccines. More broadly, disregard for the active physiological role of RBCs yields unreliable or erroneous reporting of pharmacokinetic parameters as routinely obtained for most drugs and other bioactive agents using detection in plasma, with whole-blood levels being up to 30-fold higher. Appreciation of the active role of RBCs can elucidate the microvascular underpinnings of other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, and therapeutic opportunities to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia;
- Department of Psychiatry, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - David J. Rabbolini
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW 2064, Australia
| | - Colleen Aldous
- College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa;
| | - Morimasa Yagisawa
- Satoshi Omura Memorial Research Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
- Louis Pasteur Center for Medical Research, Kyoto 606-8225, Japan
| | - Robert Clancy
- Emeritus Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, Australia
| | | | - Wendy E. Hoy
- Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
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11
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Hayward G, Yu LM, Little P, Gbinigie O, Shanyinde M, Harris V, Dorward J, Saville BR, Berry N, Evans PH, Thomas NPB, Patel MG, Richards D, Hecke OV, Detry MA, Saunders C, Fitzgerald M, Robinson J, Latimer-Bell C, Allen J, Ogburn E, Grabey J, de Lusignan S, Hobbs FR, Butler CC. Ivermectin for COVID-19 in adults in the community (PRINCIPLE): An open, randomised, controlled, adaptive platform trial of short- and longer-term outcomes. J Infect 2024; 88:106130. [PMID: 38431155 PMCID: PMC10981761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence for whether ivermectin impacts recovery, hospital admissions, and longer-term outcomes in COVID-19 is contested. The WHO recommends its use only in the context of clinical trials. METHODS In this multicentre, open-label, multi-arm, adaptive platform randomised controlled trial, we included participants aged ≥18 years in the community, with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and symptoms lasting ≤14 days. Participants were randomised to usual care, usual care plus ivermectin tablets (target 300-400 μg/kg per dose, once daily for 3 days), or usual care plus other interventions. Co-primary endpoints were time to first self-reported recovery, and COVID-19 related hospitalisation/death within 28 days, analysed using Bayesian models. Recovery at 6 months was the primary, longer term outcome. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN86534580. FINDINGS The primary analysis included 8811 SARS-CoV-2 positive participants (median symptom duration 5 days), randomised to ivermectin (n = 2157), usual care (n = 3256), and other treatments (n = 3398) from June 23, 2021 to July 1, 2022. Time to self-reported recovery was shorter in the ivermectin group compared with usual care (hazard ratio 1·15 [95% Bayesian credible interval, 1·07 to 1·23], median decrease 2.06 days [1·00 to 3·06]), probability of meaningful effect (pre-specified hazard ratio ≥1.2) 0·192). COVID-19-related hospitalisations/deaths (odds ratio 1·02 [0·63 to 1·62]; estimated percentage difference 0% [-1% to 0·6%]), serious adverse events (three and five respectively), and the proportion feeling fully recovered were similar in both groups at 6 months (74·3% and 71·2% respectively (RR = 1·05, [1·02 to 1·08]) and also at 3 and 12 months. INTERPRETATION Ivermectin for COVID-19 is unlikely to provide clinically meaningful improvement in recovery, hospital admissions, or longer-term outcomes. Further trials of ivermectin for SARS-Cov-2 infection in vaccinated community populations appear unwarranted. FUNDING UKRI/National Institute of Health Research (MC_PC_19079).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail Hayward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ly-Mee Yu
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Oghenekome Gbinigie
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Milensu Shanyinde
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Victoria Harris
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jienchi Dorward
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Benjamin R Saville
- Berry Consultants, TX, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, TN, USA
| | | | - Philip H Evans
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, National Institute for Health Research, London, UK
| | - Nicholas P B Thomas
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network, National Institute for Health Research, London, UK
| | - Mahendra G Patel
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Duncan Richards
- Royal College of General Practitioners, London, UK; Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver V Hecke
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Jared Robinson
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Julie Allen
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma Ogburn
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jenna Grabey
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fd Richard Hobbs
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Christopher C Butler
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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12
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Brady DK, Gurijala AR, Huang L, Hussain AA, Lingan AL, Pembridge OG, Ratangee BA, Sealy TT, Vallone KT, Clements TP. A guide to COVID-19 antiviral therapeutics: a summary and perspective of the antiviral weapons against SARS-CoV-2 infection. FEBS J 2024; 291:1632-1662. [PMID: 36266238 PMCID: PMC9874604 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Antiviral therapies are integral in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 (i.e. severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causative agent of COVID-19. Antiviral therapeutics can be divided into categories based on how they combat the virus, including viral entry into the host cell, viral replication, protein trafficking, post-translational processing, and immune response regulation. Drugs that target how the virus enters the cell include: Evusheld, REGEN-COV, bamlanivimab and etesevimab, bebtelovimab, sotrovimab, Arbidol, nitazoxanide, and chloroquine. Drugs that prevent the virus from replicating include: Paxlovid, remdesivir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and Kaletra. Drugs that interfere with protein trafficking and post-translational processing include nitazoxanide and ivermectin. Lastly, drugs that target immune response regulation include interferons and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as dexamethasone. Antiviral therapies offer an alternative solution for those unable or unwilling to be vaccinated and are a vital weapon in the battle against the global pandemic. Learning more about these therapies helps raise awareness in the general population about the options available to them with respect to aiding in the reduction of the severity of COVID-19 infection. In this 'A Guide To' article, we provide an in-depth insight into the development of antiviral therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 and their ability to help fight COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drugan K. Brady
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Aashi R. Gurijala
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Liyu Huang
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Ali A. Hussain
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Audrey L. Lingan
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | | | - Brina A. Ratangee
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Tristan T. Sealy
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Kyle T. Vallone
- Department of Biological SciencesVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTNUSA
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13
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Song Z, Shi S, Zhang Y. Ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27647. [PMID: 38510038 PMCID: PMC10950893 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of ivermectin (IVM) in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still controversial, yet the drug has been widely used in the world. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the clinical outcomes of IVM in patients with COVID-19. From inception to June 22, 2023, the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), and scopus databases were searched for relevant observational studies on the risk of RA in migraineurs. We searched PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, medRxiv, and bioRxiv to collect all relevant publications from inception to June 22, 2023. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality rate, mechanical ventilation (MV) requirement, PCR negative conversion, and adverse events (AEs). Revman 5.4 was used to assess the risk of bias (RoB) and quality of evidence. Thirty-three RCTs (n = 10,489) were included. No significant difference in all-cause mortality rates or PCR negative conversion between IVM and controls. There were significant differences in MV requirement (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96) and AEs (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.95) between the two groups. Ivermectin could reduce the risk of MV requirement and AEs in patients with COVID-19, without increasing other risks. In the absence of a better alternative, clinicians could use it with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhilong Song
- School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
| | - Senyuan Shi
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongli Zhang
- School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Fujian, China
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14
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Thümmler L, Beckmann N, Sehl C, Soddemann M, Braß P, Bormann M, Brochhagen L, Elsner C, Hoertel N, Cougoule C, Ciesek S, Widera M, Dittmer U, Lindemann M, Horn PA, Witzke O, Kadow S, Kamler M, Gulbins E, Becker KA, Krawczyk A. Fluoxetine and Sertraline Potently Neutralize the Replication of Distinct SARS-CoV-2 Variants. Viruses 2024; 16:545. [PMID: 38675888 PMCID: PMC11053511 DOI: 10.3390/v16040545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is still a major health problem. Newly emerging variants and long-COVID-19 represent a challenge for the global health system. In particular, individuals in developing countries with insufficient health care need easily accessible, affordable and effective treatments of COVID-19. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase against infections with various viruses, including early variants of SARS-CoV-2. This work investigated whether the acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors fluoxetine and sertraline, usually used as antidepressant molecules in clinical practice, can inhibit the replication of the former and recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants in vitro. Fluoxetine and sertraline potently inhibited the infection with pseudotyped virus-like particles and SARS-CoV-2 variants D614G, alpha, delta, omicron BA.1 and omicron BA.5. These results highlight fluoxetine and sertraline as priority candidates for large-scale phase 3 clinical trials at different stages of SARS-CoV-2 infections, either alone or in combination with other medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Thümmler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Nadine Beckmann
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Carolin Sehl
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Matthias Soddemann
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Peer Braß
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Maren Bormann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Leonie Brochhagen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Carina Elsner
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
| | - Nicolas Hoertel
- Institute Psychiatry and Neuroscience de Paris, INSERM U1266, Paris Cité University, 75014 Paris, France;
- Psychiatry and Addiction Department Corentin-Celton Hospital (AP-HP), 92130 Paris, France
| | - Céline Cougoule
- Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (IPBS), CNRS, University of Toulouse, UPS, 31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (S.C.); (M.W.)
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology, Goethe-University, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marek Widera
- Institute of Medical Virology, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (S.C.); (M.W.)
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
| | - Monika Lindemann
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Peter A. Horn
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (M.L.); (P.A.H.)
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
| | - Stephanie Kadow
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Markus Kamler
- Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West German Heart Center, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Katrin Anne Becker
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany (C.S.); (M.S.); (S.K.); (E.G.); (K.A.B.)
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Medicine Essen, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (L.T.); (P.B.); (M.B.); (L.B.); (O.W.)
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (C.E.); (U.D.)
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15
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van der Maas NG, Versluis J, Nasserinejad K, van Rosmalen J, Pabst T, Maertens J, Breems D, Manz M, Cloos J, Ossenkoppele GJ, Floisand Y, Gradowska P, Löwenberg B, Huls G, Postmus D, Pignatti F, Cornelissen JJ. Bayesian interim analysis for prospective randomized studies: reanalysis of the acute myeloid leukemia HOVON 132 clinical trial. Blood Cancer J 2024; 14:56. [PMID: 38538587 PMCID: PMC10973506 DOI: 10.1038/s41408-024-01037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard to establish the benefit-risk ratio of novel drugs. However, the evaluation of mature results often takes many years. We hypothesized that the addition of Bayesian inference methods at interim analysis time points might accelerate and enforce the knowledge that such trials may generate. In order to test that hypothesis, we retrospectively applied a Bayesian approach to the HOVON 132 trial, in which 800 newly diagnosed AML patients aged 18 to 65 years were randomly assigned to a "7 + 3" induction with or without lenalidomide. Five years after the first patient was recruited, the trial was negative for its primary endpoint with no difference in event-free survival (EFS) between experimental and control groups (hazard ratio [HR] 0.99, p = 0.96) in the final conventional analysis. We retrospectively simulated interim analyses after the inclusion of 150, 300, 450, and 600 patients using a Bayesian methodology to detect early lack of efficacy signals. The HR for EFS comparing the lenalidomide arm with the control treatment arm was 1.21 (95% CI 0.81-1.69), 1.05 (95% CI 0.86-1.30), 1.00 (95% CI 0.84-1.19), and 1.02 (95% CI 0.87-1.19) at interim analysis 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Complete remission rates were lower in the lenalidomide arm, and early deaths more frequent. A Bayesian approach identified that the probability of a clinically relevant benefit for EFS (HR < 0.76, as assumed in the statistical analysis plan) was very low at the first interim analysis (1.2%, 0.6%, 0.4%, and 0.1%, respectively). Similar observations were made for low probabilities of any benefit regarding CR. Therefore, Bayesian analysis significantly adds to conventional methods applied for interim analysis and may thereby accelerate the performance and completion of phase III trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niek G van der Maas
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jurjen Versluis
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Kazem Nasserinejad
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joost van Rosmalen
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Pabst
- University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK), Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Markus Manz
- Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research (SAKK), Bern, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Amsterdam UMC, location VUMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gert J Ossenkoppele
- Amsterdam UMC, location VUMC, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Patrycja Gradowska
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- HOVON Foundation, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bob Löwenberg
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gerwin Huls
- University Medical Center, University Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Douwe Postmus
- Oncology and Hematology Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Francesco Pignatti
- Oncology and Hematology Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jan J Cornelissen
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
- Oncology and Hematology Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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16
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Plasek J, Dodulik J, Gai P, Hrstkova B, Skrha J, Zlatohlavek L, Vlasakova R, Danko P, Ondracek P, Cubova E, Capek B, Kollarova M, Furst T, Vaclavik J. Mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: Effects of treatment options (vitamin D, anticoagulation, isoprinosine, ivermectin) assessed by propensity score matching, retrospective analysis. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2024; 168:35-43. [PMID: 38050692 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2023.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in hospitalized high-risk patients. We aimed to evaluate the effects of treatment options (vitamin D, anticoagulation, isoprinosine, ivermectin) on hospital mortality in non-vaccinated patients during the 2021 spring wave in the Czech Republic. METHODS Initially, 991 patients hospitalized in the period January 1, 2021, to March 31, 2021, with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 acute respiratory infection in two university and five rural hospitals were included in the study. After exclusion of patients with an unknown outcome, a total of 790 patients entered the final analysis. The effects of different treatments were assessed in this cohort by means of propensity score matching. RESULTS Of the 790 patients, 282 patients died in the hospital; 37.7% were male and 33.3% were female. Age, sex, state of the disease, pneumonia, therapy, and several comorbidities were matched to simulate a case-control study. For anticoagulation treatment, 233 cases (full-dose) vs. 233 controls (prophylactic dose) were matched. The difference in mortality was significant in 16 of the 50 runs. For the treatment with isoprinosine, ivermectin, and vitamin D, none of the 50 runs led to a significant difference in hospital mortality. CONCLUSION Prophylactic-dose anticoagulation treatment in our study was found to be beneficial in comparison with the full dose. Supplementation with vitamin D did not show any meaningful benefit in terms of lowering the hospital mortality. Neither ivermectin nor, isoprinosine was found to significantly decrease hospital mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiri Plasek
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Center for Research on Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Jozef Dodulik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Gai
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Hrstkova
- Clinic for Infectious diseases, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Skrha
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital, Prague
| | - Lukas Zlatohlavek
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital, Prague
| | - Renata Vlasakova
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital, Prague
| | - Peter Danko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Havirov Regional Hospital, Havirov, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Ondracek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bilovec Regional Hospital, Bilovec, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Cubova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fifejdy Ostrava City Hospital, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Bronislav Capek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Associated Medical Facilities, Krnov, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Kollarova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Trinec Regional Hospital, Trinec, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Furst
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Application of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Vaclavik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, University Hospital Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic
- Center for Research on Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Czech Republic
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17
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Aldous C, Dancis BM, Dancis J, Oldfield PR. Wheel Replacing Pyramid: Better Paradigm Representing Totality of Evidence-Based Medicine. Ann Glob Health 2024; 90:17. [PMID: 38435471 PMCID: PMC10906340 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM), as originally conceived, used all types of peer-reviewed evidence to guide medical practice and decision-making. During the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the standard usage of EBM, modeled by the Evidence-Based Medicine Pyramid, undermined EBM by incorrectly using pyramid levels to assign relative quality. The resulting pyramid-based thinking is biased against reports both in levels beneath randomized control trials (RCTs) and those omitted from the pyramid entirely. Thus, much of the evidence was ignored. Our desire for a more encompassing and effective medical decision-making process to apply to repurposed drugs led us to develop an alternative to the EBM Pyramid for EBM. Herein, we propose the totality of evidence (T-EBM) wheel. Objectives To create an easily understood graphic that models EBM by incorporating all peer-reviewed evidence that applies to both new and repurposed medicines, and to demonstrate its potential utility using ivermectin as a case study. Methods The graphics were produced using Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2003 except for part of the T-EBM wheel sunburst chart, which was produced using Microsoft 365 Excel. For the case study, PubMed® was used by searching for peer-reviewed reports containing "ivermectin" and either "covid" or "sars" in the title. Reports were filtered for those using ivermectin-based protocols in the treatment of COVID-19. The resulting 265 reports were evaluated for their study design types and treatment outcomes. The three-ringed graphical T-EBM wheel was composed of two inner rings showing all types of reports and an outer ring showing outcomes for each type. Findings-Conclusions The T-EBM wheel avoids the biases of the EBM Pyramid and includes all types of reports in the pyramid along with reports such as population and mechanistic studies. In both early and late stages of medical emergencies, pyramid-based thinking may overlook indications of efficacy in regions of the T-EBM wheel beyond RCTs. This is especially true when searching for ways to prevent and treat a novel disease with repurposed therapeutics before RCTs, safety assessments, and mechanisms of action of novel therapeutics are established. As such, T-EBM Wheels should replace the EBM Pyramids in medical decision-making and education. T-EBM Wheels can be expanded upon by implementing multiple outer rings, one for each different kind of outcome (efficacy, safety, etc.). A T-EBM Wheel can be created for any proprietary or generic medicine. The ivermectin (IVM) T-EBM Wheel displays the efficacy of IVM-based treatments of COVID-19 in a color-coded graphic, visualizing each type of evidence and the proportions of each of their outcomes (positive, inconclusive, negative).
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Aldous
- Nelson R. Mandela School of Clinical Medicine of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Jerome Dancis
- Department of Mathematics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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18
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Tomazini BM, Tramujas L, Medrado FA, Gomes SPDC, Negrelli KL, Murinize GS, Santos RHN, Vianna BMP, Piotto BF, Veiga TS, do Santos BR, Peneluppi Horak AC, Lemos OMC, Lopes MDA, Olicheski BB, Campones DL, Peixoto LAA, Basilio ADAC, Gebara OCE, Lopes ATA, Saconato H, Valeis N, Miranda TA, Laranjeira LN, Santucci EV, Carlin AF, Esko JD, Gordts PLSM, Tsimikas S, Cavalcanti AB. Halofuginone for non-hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 a multicenter, randomized placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. The HALOS trial. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299197. [PMID: 38394069 PMCID: PMC10889621 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Halofuginone (PJS-539) is an oral prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor that has a potent in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 virus. The safety and efficacy of halofuginone in Covid-19 patients has not been studied. METHODS We conducted a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose ranging, safety and tolerability trial of halofuginone in symptomatic (≤ 7 days), mostly vaccinated, non-hospitalized adults with mild to moderate Covid-19. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive halofuginone 0.5mg, 1mg or placebo orally once daily for 10 days. The primary outcome was the decay rate of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load logarithmic curve within 10 days after randomization. RESULTS From September 25, 2021, to February 3, 2022, 153 patients were randomized. The mean decay rate in SARS-CoV-2 viral load log10 within 10 days was -3.75 (95% CI, -4.11; -3.19) in the placebo group, -3.83 (95% CI, -4.40; -2.27) in the halofuginone 0.5mg group and -4.13 (95% CI, -4.69; -3.57) in the halofuginone 1mg group, with no statistically significant difference in between placebo vs. halofuginone 0.5mg (mean difference -0.08; 95% CI -0.82 to 0.66, p = 0.96) and between placebo vs. halofuginone 1mg (mean difference -0.38; 95% CI, -1.11; 0.36, p = 0.41). There was no difference on bleeding episodes or serious adverse events at 28 days. CONCLUSIONS Among non-hospitalized adults with mild to moderate Covid-19 halofuginone treatment was safe and well tolerated but did not decrease SARS-CoV-2 viral load decay rate within 10 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Martins Tomazini
- Hcor Research Institute, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
- Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network (BRICNet), São Paulo (SP), Brazil
- Hospital Sírio-Libanês, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aaron Foster Carlin
- Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey David Esko
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Phillip Leo Stephan Marie Gordts
- Department of Medicine, and Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Sotirios Tsimikas
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alexandre Biasi Cavalcanti
- Hcor Research Institute, São Paulo (SP), Brazil
- Brazilian Research in Intensive Care Network (BRICNet), São Paulo (SP), Brazil
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19
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Szabó D, Crowe A, Mamotte C, Strappe P. Natural products as a source of Coronavirus entry inhibitors. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1353971. [PMID: 38449827 PMCID: PMC10915212 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1353971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant and lasting impact on the world. Four years on, despite the existence of effective vaccines, the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants remains a challenge for long-term immunity. Additionally, there remain few purpose-built antivirals to protect individuals at risk of severe disease in the event of future coronavirus outbreaks. A promising mechanism of action for novel coronavirus antivirals is the inhibition of viral entry. To facilitate entry, the coronavirus spike glycoprotein interacts with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on respiratory epithelial cells. Blocking this interaction and consequently viral replication may be an effective strategy for treating infection, however further research is needed to better characterize candidate molecules with antiviral activity before progressing to animal studies and clinical trials. In general, antiviral drugs are developed from purely synthetic compounds or synthetic derivatives of natural products such as plant secondary metabolites. While the former is often favored due to the higher specificity afforded by rational drug design, natural products offer several unique advantages that make them worthy of further study including diverse bioactivity and the ability to work synergistically with other drugs. Accordingly, there has recently been a renewed interest in natural product-derived antivirals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review provides a summary of recent research into coronavirus entry inhibitors, with a focus on natural compounds derived from plants, honey, and marine sponges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Szabó
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Andrew Crowe
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Cyril Mamotte
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Padraig Strappe
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
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20
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Meyerowitz EA, Scott J, Richterman A, Male V, Cevik M. Clinical course and management of COVID-19 in the era of widespread population immunity. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:75-88. [PMID: 38114838 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-01001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The clinical implications of COVID-19 have changed since SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in humans. The current high levels of population immunity, due to prior infection and/or vaccination, have been associated with a vastly decreased overall risk of severe disease. Some people, particularly those with immunocompromising conditions, remain at risk for severe outcomes. Through the course of the pandemic, variants with somewhat different symptom profiles from the original SARS-CoV-2 virus have emerged. The management of COVID-19 has also changed since 2020, with the increasing availability of evidence-based treatments in two main classes: antivirals and immunomodulators. Selecting the appropriate treatment(s) for patients with COVID-19 requires a deep understanding of the evidence and an awareness of the limitations of applying data that have been largely based on immune-naive populations to patients today who most likely have vaccine-derived and/or infection-derived immunity. In this Review, we provide a summary of the clinical manifestations and approaches to caring for adult patients with COVID-19 in the era of vaccine availability and the dominance of the Omicron subvariants, with a focus on the management of COVID-19 in different patient groups, including immunocompromised, pregnant, vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Meyerowitz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jake Scott
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Aaron Richterman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Victoria Male
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Muge Cevik
- Division of Infection and Global Health Research, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
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21
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Hamid A, Mäser P, Mahmoud AB. Drug Repurposing in the Chemotherapy of Infectious Diseases. Molecules 2024; 29:635. [PMID: 38338378 PMCID: PMC10856722 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29030635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Repurposing is a universal mechanism for innovation, from the evolution of feathers to the invention of Velcro tape. Repurposing is particularly attractive for drug development, given that it costs more than a billion dollars and takes longer than ten years to make a new drug from scratch. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a large number of drug repurposing activities. At the same time, it has highlighted potential pitfalls, in particular when concessions are made to the target product profile. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of drug repurposing for infectious diseases and analyze different ways of repurposing. We distinguish between opportunistic and rational approaches, i.e., just saving time and money by screening compounds that are already approved versus repurposing based on a particular target that is common to different pathogens. The latter can be further distinguished into divergent and convergent: points of attack that are divergent share common ancestry (e.g., prokaryotic targets in the apicoplast of malaria parasites), whereas those that are convergent arise from a shared lifestyle (e.g., the susceptibility of bacteria, parasites, and tumor cells to antifolates due to their high rate of DNA synthesis). We illustrate how such different scenarios can be capitalized on by using examples of drugs that have been repurposed to, from, or within the field of anti-infective chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Hamid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
| | - Pascal Mäser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, 4123 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Abdelhalim Babiker Mahmoud
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Khartoum, Khartoum 11111, Sudan;
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland, 66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
- Department of Microbial Drugs, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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22
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Bedding MJ, Franck C, Johansen-Leete J, Aggarwal A, Maxwell JWC, Patel K, Hawkins PME, Low JKK, Siddiquee R, Sani HM, Ford DJ, Turville S, Mackay JP, Passioura T, Christie M, Payne RJ. Discovery of High Affinity Cyclic Peptide Ligands for Human ACE2 with SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitory Activity. ACS Chem Biol 2024; 19:141-152. [PMID: 38085789 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The development of effective antiviral compounds is essential for mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Entry of SARS-CoV-2 virions into host cells is mediated by the interaction between the viral spike (S) protein and membrane-bound angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the surface of epithelial cells. Inhibition of this viral protein-host protein interaction is an attractive avenue for the development of antiviral molecules with numerous spike-binding molecules generated to date. Herein, we describe an alternative approach to inhibit the spike-ACE2 interaction by targeting the spike-binding interface of human ACE2 via mRNA display. Two consecutive display selections were performed to direct cyclic peptide ligand binding toward the spike binding interface of ACE2. Through this process, potent cyclic peptide binders of human ACE2 (with affinities in the picomolar to nanomolar range) were identified, two of which neutralized SARS-CoV-2 entry. This work demonstrates the potential of targeting ACE2 for the generation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics as well as broad spectrum antivirals for the treatment of SARS-like betacoronavirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J Bedding
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Charlotte Franck
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jason Johansen-Leete
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | | - Joshua W C Maxwell
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Karishma Patel
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Paige M E Hawkins
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jason K K Low
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Rezwan Siddiquee
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Hakimeh Moghaddas Sani
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Daniel J Ford
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | | | - Joel P Mackay
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Toby Passioura
- Sydney Analytical Core Research Facility, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Mary Christie
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Richard J Payne
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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23
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Luvira V, Schilling WHK, Jittamala P, Watson JA, Boyd S, Siripoon T, Ngamprasertchai T, Almeida PJ, Ekkapongpisit M, Cruz C, Callery JJ, Singh S, Tuntipaiboontana R, Kruabkontho V, Ngernseng T, Tubprasert J, Abdad MY, Keayarsa S, Madmanee W, Aguiar RS, Santos FM, Hanboonkunupakarn P, Hanboonkunupakarn B, Poovorawan K, Imwong M, Taylor WRJ, Chotivanich V, Chotivanich K, Pukrittayakamee S, Dondorp AM, Day NPJ, Teixeira MM, Piyaphanee W, Phumratanaprapin W, White NJ. Clinical antiviral efficacy of favipiravir in early COVID-19 (PLATCOV): an open-label, randomised, controlled, adaptive platform trial. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:89. [PMID: 38225598 PMCID: PMC10789040 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08835-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
In early symptomatic COVID-19 treatment, high dose oral favipiravir did not accelerate viral clearance. BACKGROUND Favipiravir, an anti-influenza drug, has in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Clinical trial evidence to date is inconclusive. Favipiravir has been recommended for the treatment of COVID-19 in some countries. METHODS In a multicentre open-label, randomised, controlled, adaptive platform trial, low-risk adult patients with early symptomatic COVID-19 were randomised to one of ten treatment arms including high dose oral favipiravir (3.6g on day 0 followed by 1.6g daily to complete 7 days treatment) or no study drug. The primary outcome was the rate of viral clearance (derived under a linear mixed-effects model from the daily log10 viral densities in standardised duplicate oropharyngeal swab eluates taken daily over 8 days [18 swabs per patient]), assessed in a modified intention-to-treat population (mITT). The safety population included all patients who received at least one dose of the allocated intervention. This ongoing adaptive platform trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05041907) on 13/09/2021. RESULTS In the final analysis, the mITT population contained data from 114 patients randomised to favipiravir and 126 patients randomised concurrently to no study drug. Under the linear mixed-effects model fitted to all oropharyngeal viral density estimates in the first 8 days from randomisation (4,318 swabs), there was no difference in the rate of viral clearance between patients given favipiravir and patients receiving no study drug; a -1% (95% credible interval: -14 to 14%) difference. High dose favipiravir was well-tolerated. INTERPRETATION Favipiravir does not accelerate viral clearance in early symptomatic COVID-19. The viral clearance rate estimated from quantitative measurements of oropharyngeal eluate viral densities assesses the antiviral efficacy of drugs in vivo with comparatively few studied patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viravarn Luvira
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - William H K Schilling
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Podjanee Jittamala
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - James A Watson
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon Boyd
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tanaya Siripoon
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thundon Ngamprasertchai
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pedro J Almeida
- Clinical Research Unit, Center for Advanced and Innovative Therapies, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Maneerat Ekkapongpisit
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Cintia Cruz
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James J Callery
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shivani Singh
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Runch Tuntipaiboontana
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Varaporn Kruabkontho
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thatsanun Ngernseng
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jaruwan Tubprasert
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mohammad Yazid Abdad
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Srisuda Keayarsa
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanassanan Madmanee
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Renato S Aguiar
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Franciele M Santos
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kittiyod Poovorawan
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mallika Imwong
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Walter R J Taylor
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kesinee Chotivanich
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Arjen M Dondorp
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mauro M Teixeira
- Clinical Research Unit, Center for Advanced and Innovative Therapies, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Watcharapong Piyaphanee
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Weerapong Phumratanaprapin
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nicholas J White
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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24
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Salvador-Carrillo J, Campos-Loza L, Guillen-Carbajal D, Osada J, Zevallos A, Torres-Roman JS. Use of ivermectin and factors associated with the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19: a cross-sectional online survey in the province of Chincha, Peru. F1000Res 2024; 12:149. [PMID: 38178941 PMCID: PMC10765097 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.128675.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Peru has reported one of the highest mortality rates from COVID-19 worldwide. The Chincha province has been one of the most affected regions in Peru and the leading promoter of the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of use and factors associated with the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 in Chincha. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 in Peru. For statistical analyses, frequencies and percentages were reported. Prevalence ratios (PR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and a p-value of 0.05 were used to determine statistical significance. SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp) program was used for the analyses. Results A total of 432 participants were included in the study. A total of 67.6% (n = 292) of the participants used ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, 20.20% (n=59) of the people used ivermectin for prophylactic purposes only, while 41.79% (n=122) used it as treatment for COVID-19 only, and 38.01% (n=111) used it for both reasons. The consumption of ivermectin was associated with being 50 years or older (PR:1.27, 95% CI:1.04-1.54), having a technical education level (PR:1.16, 95% CI:1.01-1.34), having had symptoms of COVID-19 with negative/no diagnosis (PR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07-1.53) or positive diagnosis (PR:1.38, 95% CI:1.18-1.61), or having had contact with infected people (PR:1.45, 95% CI:1.06-1.98). Conclusions Most people in Chincha used ivermectin during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The main factors associated with the use of ivermectin for the prevention/treatment of COVID-19 were age ≥50 years, having a technical education level, having had symptoms with negative/no diagnosis or positive diagnosis, and contact with people infected with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Salvador-Carrillo
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Chincha, Ica, Peru
| | - Luz Campos-Loza
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Chincha, Ica, Peru
| | - David Guillen-Carbajal
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Chincha, Ica, Peru
| | - Jorge Osada
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Chincha, Ica, Peru
| | - Alejandra Zevallos
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Filial Chincha, Ica, Peru
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Velásquez PA, Hernandez JC, Galeano E, Hincapié-García J, Rugeles MT, Zapata-Builes W. Effectiveness of Drug Repurposing and Natural Products Against SARS-CoV-2: A Comprehensive Review. Clin Pharmacol 2024; 16:1-25. [PMID: 38197085 PMCID: PMC10773251 DOI: 10.2147/cpaa.s429064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a betacoronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, causing respiratory disorders, and even death in some individuals, if not appropriately treated in time. To face the pandemic, preventive measures have been taken against contagions and the application of vaccines to prevent severe disease and death cases. For the COVID-19 treatment, antiviral, antiparasitic, anticoagulant and other drugs have been reused due to limited specific medicaments for the disease. Drug repurposing is an emerging strategy with therapies that have already tested safe in humans. One promising alternative for systematic experimental screening of a vast pool of compounds is computational drug repurposing (in silico assay). Using these tools, new uses for approved drugs such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, zidovudine, ribavirin, lamivudine, remdesivir, lopinavir and tenofovir/emtricitabine have been conducted, showing effectiveness in vitro and in silico against SARS-CoV-2 and some of these, also in clinical trials. Additionally, therapeutic options have been sought in natural products (terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins and phenolics) with promising in vitro and in silico results for use in COVID-19 disease. Among these, the most studied are resveratrol, quercetin, hesperidin, curcumin, myricetin and betulinic acid, which were proposed as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. Among the drugs reused to control the SARS-CoV2, better results have been observed for remdesivir in hospitalized patients and outpatients. Regarding natural products, resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin have demonstrated in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and in vivo, a nebulized formulation has demonstrated to alleviate the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19. This review shows the evidence of drug repurposing efficacy and the potential use of natural products as a treatment for COVID-19. For this, a search was carried out in PubMed, SciELO and ScienceDirect databases for articles about drugs approved or under study and natural compounds recognized for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Andrea Velásquez
- Grupo Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan C Hernandez
- Grupo Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Elkin Galeano
- Grupo Productos Naturales Marinos, Departamento de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jaime Hincapié-García
- Grupo de investigación, Promoción y prevención farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias Farmacéuticas y Alimentarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Rugeles
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Wildeman Zapata-Builes
- Grupo Infettare, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellín, Colombia
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Arman BY, Brun J, Hill ML, Zitzmann N, von Delft A. An Update on SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Trial Results-What We Can Learn for the Next Pandemic. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:354. [PMID: 38203525 PMCID: PMC10779148 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed over 7 million lives worldwide, providing a stark reminder of the importance of pandemic preparedness. Due to the lack of approved antiviral drugs effective against coronaviruses at the start of the pandemic, the world largely relied on repurposed efforts. Here, we summarise results from randomised controlled trials to date, as well as selected in vitro data of directly acting antivirals, host-targeting antivirals, and immunomodulatory drugs. Overall, repurposing efforts evaluating directly acting antivirals targeting other viral families were largely unsuccessful, whereas several immunomodulatory drugs led to clinical improvement in hospitalised patients with severe disease. In addition, accelerated drug discovery efforts during the pandemic progressed to multiple novel directly acting antivirals with clinical efficacy, including small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. We argue that large-scale investment is required to prepare for future pandemics; both to develop an arsenal of broad-spectrum antivirals beyond coronaviruses and build worldwide clinical trial networks that can be rapidly utilised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benediktus Yohan Arman
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Juliane Brun
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Michelle L. Hill
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK;
| | - Nicole Zitzmann
- Antiviral Drug Discovery Unit, Oxford Glycobiology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK; (J.B.); (N.Z.)
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Annette von Delft
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK
- Centre for Medicine Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
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Lan Q, Yan Y, Zhang G, Xia S, Zhou J, Lu L, Jiang S. Clinical development of antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2023; 6:100208. [PMID: 38149085 PMCID: PMC10750039 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The unceasing global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) calls for the development of novel therapeutics. Although many newly developed antivirals and repurposed antivirals have been applied to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), antivirals showing satisfactory clinical efficacy are few in number. In addition, the loss of sensitivity to variants of concern (VOCs) and lack of oral bioavailability have also limited the clinical application of some antivirals. These facts remind us to develop more potent and broad-spectrum antivirals with better pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties to fight against infections from SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs). In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in the clinical development of antivirals against infections by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoshuai Lan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Centre for Virology, Vaccinology and Therapeutics, Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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28
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Sullivan DJ, Focosi D, Hanley DF, Cruciani M, Franchini M, Ou J, Casadevall A, Paneth N. Outpatient randomized controlled trials to reduce COVID-19 hospitalization: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29310. [PMID: 38105461 PMCID: PMC10754263 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
This COVID-19 outpatient randomized controlled trials (RCTs) systematic review compares hospitalization outcomes amongst four treatment classes over pandemic period, geography, variants, and vaccine status. Outpatient RCTs with hospitalization endpoint were identified in Pubmed searches through May 2023, excluding RCTs <30 participants (PROSPERO-CRD42022369181). Risk of bias was extracted from COVID-19-NMA, with odds ratio utilized for pooled comparison. Searches identified 281 studies with 61 published RCTs for 33 diverse interventions analyzed. RCTs were largely unvaccinated cohorts with at least one COVID-19 hospitalization risk factor. Grouping by class, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (OR = 0.31 [95% CI = 0.24-0.40]) had highest hospital reduction efficacy, followed by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) (OR = 0.69 [95% CI = 0.53-0.90]), small molecule antivirals (OR = 0.78 [95% CI = 0.48-1.33]), and repurposed drugs (OR = 0.82 [95% CI: 0.72-0.93]). Earlier in disease onset interventions performed better than later. This meta-analysis allows approximate head-to-head comparisons of diverse outpatient interventions. Omicron sublineages (XBB and BQ.1.1) are resistant to mAbs Despite trial heterogeneity, this pooled comparison by intervention class indicated oral antivirals are the preferred outpatient treatment where available, but intravenous interventions from convalescent plasma to remdesivir are also effective and necessary in constrained medical resource settings or for acute and chronic COVID-19 in the immunocompromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Sullivan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniele Focosi
- North-Western Tuscany Blood Bank, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniel F Hanley
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mario Cruciani
- Division of Hematology, Carlo Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy
| | | | - Jiangda Ou
- Department of Neurology, Brain Injury Outcomes Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nigel Paneth
- Departments of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Pediatrics & Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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29
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Scheim DE, Vottero P, Santin AD, Hirsh AG. Sialylated Glycan Bindings from SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Blood and Endothelial Cells Govern the Severe Morbidities of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17039. [PMID: 38069362 PMCID: PMC10871123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Consistent with well-established biochemical properties of coronaviruses, sialylated glycan attachments between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) and host cells are key to the virus's pathology. SARS-CoV-2 SP attaches to and aggregates red blood cells (RBCs), as shown in many pre-clinical and clinical studies, causing pulmonary and extrapulmonary microthrombi and hypoxia in severe COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 SP attachments to the heavily sialylated surfaces of platelets (which, like RBCs, have no ACE2) and endothelial cells (having minimal ACE2) compound this vascular damage. Notably, experimentally induced RBC aggregation in vivo causes the same key morbidities as for severe COVID-19, including microvascular occlusion, blood clots, hypoxia and myocarditis. Key risk factors for COVID-19 morbidity, including older age, diabetes and obesity, are all characterized by markedly increased propensity to RBC clumping. For mammalian species, the degree of clinical susceptibility to COVID-19 correlates to RBC aggregability with p = 0.033. Notably, of the five human betacoronaviruses, the two common cold strains express an enzyme that releases glycan attachments, while the deadly SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS do not, although viral loads for COVID-19 and the two common cold infections are similar. These biochemical insights also explain the previously puzzling clinical efficacy of certain generics against COVID-19 and may support the development of future therapeutic strategies for COVID-19 and long COVID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E Scheim
- US Public Health Service, Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA
| | - Paola Vottero
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Alessandro D Santin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, P.O. Box 208063, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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30
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Guzman-Esquivel J, Diaz-Martinez J, Ortega-Ortiz JG, Murillo-Zamora E, Melnikov V, Tejeda-Luna HR, Cosio-Medina VG, Llerenas-Aguirre KI, Guzman-Solorzano JA, Hernandez-Fuentes GA, Ochoa-Castro MR, Cardenas-Rojas MI, Rojas-Larios F, Delgado-Enciso I. Interactions between the principal risk factors for reduction of the eGFR in unvaccinated COVID‑19 survivors: Normal pre-COVID‑19 eGFR, not having diabetes and being hospitalized. Exp Ther Med 2023; 26:580. [PMID: 38023357 PMCID: PMC10655052 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.12279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
There are contradictory results regarding changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors. An analysis of eGFR changes and clinical characteristics associated with those changes was conducted among COVID-19 survivors. eGFR values were compared at different time points (before and 4-, 8- and 12-months after COVID-19 infection). A multivariate generalized linear mixed model (GENLINMIXED procedure) with a binary logistic regression link was used to determine factors associated with eGFR reduction of ≥10 ml/min/1.73 m2. Being hospitalized (RR=2.90, 95% CI=1.10-7.68, P=0.032), treated with Ivermectin (RR=14.02, 95% CI=4.11-47.80, P<0.001) or anticoagulants (RR=6.51, 95% CI=2.69-15.73, P<0.001) are risk factors for a reduced eGFR. Having a low eGFR (<90 ml/min/1.73 m2) before COVID-19 infection, having B-positive blood type, diabetes, taking vitamin C during the acute phase of COVID-19 or suffering from chronic COVID-19 symptoms, were identified as protective factors. Analysis involving a two-way interaction (A x B, where A and B are factors) demonstrated that the combination of patients with a normal eGFR value before COVID-19 infection without diabetes (RR=58.60, 95% CI=11.62-295.38, P<0.001), or a normal eGFR value with being hospitalized for COVID-19 (RR=38.07, 95% CI=8.68-167.00, P<0.001), increased the probability of a reduced eGFR. The changes in eGFR in COVID-19 survivors varied depending on patient characteristics. Furthermore, the principal risk factors for post-COVID-19 eGFR reduction were analyzed in separate models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Guzman-Esquivel
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28984, Mexico
| | - Janet Diaz-Martinez
- Research Center in Minority Institutions, Robert Stempel College of Public Health, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | | | - Efren Murillo-Zamora
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28984, Mexico
| | - Valery Melnikov
- School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Hector R. Tejeda-Luna
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28984, Mexico
- School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | - Maria R. Ochoa-Castro
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28984, Mexico
- School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Martha I. Cardenas-Rojas
- Clinical Epidemiology Research Unit, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Villa de Alvarez, Colima 28984, Mexico
| | | | - Ivan Delgado-Enciso
- School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
- Cancerology State Institute, Colima State Health Services, Colima 28085, Mexico
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Lightner AL, Sengupta V, Qian S, Ransom JT, Suzuki S, Park DJ, Melson TI, Williams BP, Walsh JJ, Awili M. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Infusion for the Treatment of Respiratory Failure From COVID-19: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Dosing Clinical Trial. Chest 2023; 164:1444-1453. [PMID: 37356708 PMCID: PMC10289818 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (ExoFlo) convey the immunomodulatory and regenerative properties of intact BM-MSCs. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of ExoFlo as treatment for moderate to severe ARDS in patients with severe COVID-19. RESEARCH QUESTION Do two doses of ExoFlo safely reduce mortality in COVID-19-associated moderate to severe ARDS compared with placebo? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A prospective phase 2 multicenter double-anonymized randomized placebo-controlled dosing trial was conducted at five sites across the United States with infusions of placebo, 10 mL of ExoFlo, or 15 mL of ExoFlo on days 1 and 4. Patients (N = 102) with COVID-19-associated moderate to severe ARDS were enrolled and randomized to treatment. Adverse events were documented throughout the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause 60-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included time to death (overall mortality); the incidence of treatment-emergent serious adverse events; proportion of discharged patients at 7, 30, and 60 days; time to hospital discharge; and ventilation-free days. RESULTS No treatment-related adverse events were reported. Mortality (60-day) in the intention-to-treat population was reduced with 15 mL ExoFlo mixed with 85 mL normal saline (ExoFlo-15) compared with placebo (not significant, χ2, P = .1343). For the post hoc subgroup analyses, 60-day mortality was decreased with ExoFlo-15 compared with placebo (relative risk, 0.385; 95% CI, 0.159-0.931; P = .0340; n = 50). With ExoFlo-15, a relative risk of 0.423 (95% CI, 0.173-1.032; P = .0588; n = 24) was determined for participants aged 18 to 65 years with moderate to severe ARDS. Ventilation-free days improved with ExoFlo-15 (P = .0455; n = 50) for all participants aged 18 to 65 years. INTERPRETATION The 15 mL dose of ExoFlo was found to be safe in patients with severe or critical COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. In participants aged 18 to 65 years, the risk reduction in 60-day mortality was further improved from subjects of all ages in the intention-to-treat population after two doses of 15 mL of ExoFlo compared with placebo. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT04493242; URL: www. CLINICALTRIALS gov.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - David J Park
- Providence St Jude Medical Center/Providence Medical Foundation, Fullerton, CA
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Harris GH, Adalja AA. Innovative approaches to COVID-19 medical countermeasure development. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:ii18-ii24. [PMID: 37995353 PMCID: PMC10667002 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkad312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic, while unfortunately notable for immense strain and death throughout the world, has also shown great promise in the development of medical countermeasures. As the global scientific community shifted almost entirely towards vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics, new trial designs most significantly adaptive platform trials, began to be used with greater speed and broader reach. These designs allowed for deploying and investigating new therapeutics, repurposing currently existing therapeutics and flexibly removing or adding additional medications as data appeared in real-time. Moreover, public-private sector partnering occurred at a level not seen before, contributing greatly to the rapid development and deployment of vaccines. OBJECTIVES To provide a brief overview of the advances in preventative and therapeutic medical countermeasure development for COVID-19. METHODS A narrative review of relevant major medical countermeasure trials was conducted using the date range February 2020-December 2022, representing the period of greatest productivity in research to investigate COVID-19. RESULTS Among the most influential trial designs are the adaptive platform designs, which have been applied to the development of initial COVID-19 antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, repurposing of existing immunomodulatory therapy and assisted in the disproof of ineffective medical therapies. Some of the most prominent examples include the REMAP-CAP, RECOVERY and TOGETHER trials. CONCLUSIONS Adaptive platform trial designs hold great promise for utility in future pandemics and mass casualty events. Additionally, public-private sectoring is essential for rapid medical countermeasure development and should be further enhanced for future biopreparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin H Harris
- Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amesh A Adalja
- Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Durán-Álvarez JC, Prado B, Zanella R, Rodríguez M, Díaz S. Wastewater surveillance of pharmaceuticals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City and the Mezquital Valley: A comprehensive environmental risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165886. [PMID: 37524191 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
This study tracked five pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in Mexico City's sewage, namely, famotidine, indomethacin, dexamethasone, azithromycin, and ivermectin, which were used to treat COVID-19. The monitoring campaign was carried out over 30 months (May 2020 to November 2022), covering the five COVID-19 waves in Mexico. In the Central Emitter, the main sewage outflow, famotidine displayed levels of 132.57 ± 28.16 ng L-1 (range from < LOQ to 189.1 ng L-1), followed by indomethacin (average 672.46 ± 116.4 ng L-1, range from 516.7 to 945.2 ng L-1), dexamethasone (average 610.4 ± 225.7 ng L-1, range from 233.4 to 1044.5 ng L-1), azithromycin (average 4436.2 ± 903.6 ng L-1, range from 2873.7 to 5819.6 ng L-1), and ivermectin (average 3413.3 ± 1244.6 ng L-1, range from 1219.8 to 4622.4 ng L-1). The concentrations of dexamethasone, azithromycin and ivermectin were higher in sewage from a temporary COVID-19 care unit, by a factor of 3.48, 3.52 and 2.55, respectively, compared with those found in municipal wastewater. In the effluent of the Atotonilco Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWWTP), which treats near 60 % of the Mexico City's sewage, famotidine was absent, while concentrations of indomethacin, dexamethasone, azithromycin and ivermectin were 78.2 %, 76.7 %, 74.4 %, and 88.1 % lower than those in the influent, respectively. The occurrence of PhACs in treated and untreated wastewater resulted in medium to high environmental risk since Mexico City's wastewater is reused for irrigation in the Mezquital Valley. There, PhACs were found in irrigation canals at lower levels than those observed in Mexico City throughout the monitoring. On the other hand, famotidine, indomethacin, and dexamethasone were not found in surface water resulting from the infiltration of wastewater through soil in Mezquital Valley, while azithromycin and ivermectin sporadically appeared in surface water samples collected through 2021. Using an optimized risk assessment based on a semi-probabilistic approach, the PhACs were prioritized as ivermectin > azithromycin > dexamethasone > famotidine > indomethacin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Durán-Álvarez
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICAT-UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, 04510 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Blanca Prado
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y del Suelo, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510 Mexico, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo Zanella
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICAT-UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, 04510 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Mario Rodríguez
- Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (ICAT-UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, 04510 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Suhaila Díaz
- Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales y del Suelo, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510 Mexico, Mexico
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Yemeke TT, Umaru FA, Ferrand RA, Ozawa S. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Product Procurement, Prices, and Supply Chain in Zimbabwe: Lessons for Supply Chain Resiliency. GLOBAL HEALTH, SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2023; 11:e2200424. [PMID: 37903588 PMCID: PMC10615236 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-22-00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global health supply chains including manufacturing, storage, and delivery of essential medicines, testing kits, personal protective equipment, and laboratory reagents. We sought to document how pandemic impacted the procurement, prices, and supply chain of medical products in Zimbabwe. METHODS We conducted semistructured in-depth key informant interviews with 36 health system stakeholders in Zimbabwe involved in medicine procurement. Respondents included pharmacists, regulatory officers, and procurement and supply chain management professionals from public and private sectors. RESULTS Before the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents described experiencing long-standing resource constraints, medicine shortages, foreign currency shortages, and supply chain inefficiencies. The pandemic exacerbated this situation due to supply constraints, export restrictions, medicine shortages, and movement restrictions that disrupted logistical and stock management systems. Competitive bidding and tendering processes experienced reduced participation by international suppliers. Significant price increases were initially observed among internationally shipped medicines and for personal protective equipment to cover additional freight costs. COVID-19 pandemic impacts were moderated by reduced patient demand and lower health services utilization, resulting in fewer supply shocks and less price volatility. Further, health system adaptations such as switching treatment regimens, modifying dispensing schedules based on stock availability, redistributing stock of medicines among facilities, and new service delivery models such as integrated outreach services helped ensure continued patient access to medicines. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need for policies that ensure continuity in access to health services and medical products, even during a pandemic, by avoiding blanket restrictions on medical product exports and imports. Pooled procurement, especially at regional and global levels, with long-term service agreements may help achieve greater resiliency to supply and price shocks from supply chain disruptions. Interventions across manufacturing, trade, and regulatory policy and service delivery models are also needed for supply chain resiliency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatenda T Yemeke
- Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Farouk A Umaru
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Rockville MD, USA
| | - Rashida A Ferrand
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sachiko Ozawa
- Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Marko M, Pawliczak R. Assessment of the available therapeutic approaches for severe COVID-19: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17114. [PMID: 37816884 PMCID: PMC10564895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44463-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate severe COVID-19 treatment approaches. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RTCs) with standard of care (SoC) as a control group and/or placebo. Database searching was performed separately for severe COVID-19 treatment such as anakinra, remdesivir, baricitinib, ivermectin, ritonavir, tocilizumab, sarilumab, sotrovimab, casirivimab/imdevimab. The results are presented as Risk Ratio (RR), 95% Confidence Interval (CI), and heterogeneity (I2). We obtained the most statistically significant outcomes favorable tocilizumab compared to SoC for death incidents RR 0.87 [95% CI 0.80, 0.95], overall effect p = 0.002, heterogeneity p = 0.85, I2 = 0%, need for mechanical ventilation RR 0.78 [95% CI 0.68, 0.89], overall effect p = 0.0004, heterogeneity p = 0.55, I2 = 0%, and number of patients discharged from hospital. RR 1.13 [95% CI 1.07, 1.20], overall effect p < 0.00001, heterogeneity p = 0.009, I2 = 85%. This meta-analysis has revealed that a considerable amount of research characterized by a very diverse methodology is available. Despite the limited data that met the criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, we showed that the available treatment options for severe COVID-19 are effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Marko
- Division of Biomedical Science, Department of Immunopathology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 7/9 Zeligowskiego St, 90-752, Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafał Pawliczak
- Division of Biomedical Science, Department of Immunopathology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 7/9 Zeligowskiego St, 90-752, Lodz, Poland.
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Naik R, Avula S, Palleti SK, Gummadi J, Ramachandran R, Chandramohan D, Dhillon G, Gill AS, Paiwal K, Shaik B, Balachandran M, Patel B, Gurugubelli S, Mariswamy Arun Kumar AK, Nanjundappa A, Bellamkonda M, Rathi K, Sakhamuri PL, Nassar M, Bali A. From Emergence to Endemicity: A Comprehensive Review of COVID-19. Cureus 2023; 15:e48046. [PMID: 37916248 PMCID: PMC10617653 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), later renamed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was first identified in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019. Initially, the China office of the World Health Organization was informed of numerous cases of pneumonia of unidentified etiology in Wuhan, Hubei Province at the end of 2019. This would subsequently result in a global pandemic with millions of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and millions of deaths reported to the WHO. We have analyzed most of the data published since the beginning of the pandemic to compile this comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2. We looked at the core ideas, such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms, diagnostics, histopathologic findings, consequences, therapies, and vaccines. We have also included the long-term effects and myths associated with some therapeutics of COVID-19. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the SARS-CoV-2 virology, vaccines, medicines, and significant variants identified during the course of the pandemic. Our review article is intended to provide medical practitioners with a better understanding of the fundamental sciences, clinical treatment, and prevention of COVID-19. As of May 2023, this paper contains the most recent data made accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roopa Naik
- Medicine, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, USA
- Internal Medicine/Hospital Medicine, Geisinger Health System, Wilkes Barre, USA
| | - Sreekant Avula
- Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Sujith K Palleti
- Nephrology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, USA
| | - Jyotsna Gummadi
- Internal Medicine, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Gagandeep Dhillon
- Physician Executive MBA, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
- Internal Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, Glen Burnie, USA
| | | | - Kapil Paiwal
- Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Daswani Dental College & Research Center, Kota, IND
| | - Bushra Shaik
- Internal Medicine, Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, USA
| | | | - Bhumika Patel
- Oral Medicine and Radiology, Howard University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | | | | | | | - Mahita Bellamkonda
- Hospital Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA
| | - Kanika Rathi
- Internal Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | | | - Mahmoud Nassar
- Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, USA
| | - Atul Bali
- Internal Medicine/Nephrology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, USA
- Internal Medicine/Nephrology, Geisinger Health System, Wilkes-Barre, USA
- Medicine, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, USA
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Kim C, Chen B, Mohandas S, Rehman J, Sherif ZA, Coombs K. The importance of patient-partnered research in addressing long COVID: Takeaways for biomedical research study design from the RECOVER Initiative's Mechanistic Pathways taskforce. eLife 2023; 12:e86043. [PMID: 37737716 PMCID: PMC10516599 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The NIH-funded RECOVER study is collecting clinical data on patients who experience a SARS-CoV-2 infection. As patient representatives of the RECOVER Initiative's Mechanistic Pathways task force, we offer our perspectives on patient motivations for partnering with researchers to obtain results from mechanistic studies. We emphasize the challenges of balancing urgency with scientific rigor. We recognize the importance of such partnerships in addressing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), which includes 'long COVID,' through contrasting objective and subjective narratives. Long COVID's prevalence served as a call to action for patients like us to become actively involved in efforts to understand our condition. Patient-centered and patient-partnered research informs the balance between urgency and robust mechanistic research. Results from collaborating on protocol design, diverse patient inclusion, and awareness of community concerns establish a new precedent in biomedical research study design. With a public health matter as pressing as the long-term complications that can emerge after SARS-CoV-2 infection, considerate and equitable stakeholder involvement is essential to guiding seminal research. Discussions in the RECOVER Mechanistic Pathways task force gave rise to this commentary as well as other review articles on the current scientific understanding of PASC mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kim
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Benjamin Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
| | - Sindhu Mohandas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Jalees Rehman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois, College of MedicineChicagoUnited States
| | - Zaki A Sherif
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Howard University College of MedicineWashingtonUnited States
| | - K Coombs
- Department of Pandemic Equity, Vermont Center for Independent LivingMontpelierUnited States
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Boulware DR, Lindsell CJ, Stewart TG, Hernandez AF, Collins S, McCarthy MW, Jayaweera D, Gentile N, Castro M, Sulkowski M, McTigue K, Felker GM, Ginde AA, Dunsmore SE, Adam SJ, DeLong A, Hanna G, Remaly A, Thicklin F, Wilder R, Wilson S, Shenkman E, Naggie S. Inhaled Fluticasone Furoate for Outpatient Treatment of Covid-19. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1085-1095. [PMID: 37733308 PMCID: PMC10597427 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2209421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effectiveness of inhaled glucocorticoids in shortening the time to symptom resolution or preventing hospitalization or death among outpatients with mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is unclear. METHODS We conducted a decentralized, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled platform trial in the United States to assess the use of repurposed medications in outpatients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Nonhospitalized adults 30 years of age or older who had at least two symptoms of acute infection that had been present for no more than 7 days before enrollment were randomly assigned to receive inhaled fluticasone furoate at a dose of 200 μg once daily for 14 days or placebo. The primary outcome was the time to sustained recovery, defined as the third of 3 consecutive days without symptoms. Key secondary outcomes included hospitalization or death by day 28 and a composite outcome of the need for an urgent-care or emergency department visit or hospitalization or death through day 28. RESULTS Of the 1407 enrolled participants who underwent randomization, 715 were assigned to receive inhaled fluticasone furoate and 692 to receive placebo, and 656 and 621, respectively, were included in the analysis. There was no evidence that the use of fluticasone furoate resulted in a shorter time to recovery than placebo (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% credible interval, 0.91 to 1.12; posterior probability of benefit [defined as a hazard ratio >1], 0.56). A total of 24 participants (3.7%) in the fluticasone furoate group had urgent-care or emergency department visits or were hospitalized, as compared with 13 participants (2.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% credible interval, 0.8 to 3.5). Three participants in each group were hospitalized, and no deaths occurred. Adverse events were uncommon in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with inhaled fluticasone furoate for 14 days did not result in a shorter time to recovery than placebo among outpatients with Covid-19 in the United States. (Funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and others; ACTIV-6 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04885530.).
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Boulware
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Christopher J Lindsell
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Thomas G Stewart
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Adrian F Hernandez
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Sean Collins
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Matthew William McCarthy
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Dushyantha Jayaweera
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Nina Gentile
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Mario Castro
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Mark Sulkowski
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Kathleen McTigue
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - G Michael Felker
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Adit A Ginde
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Sarah E Dunsmore
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Stacey J Adam
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Allison DeLong
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - George Hanna
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - April Remaly
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Florence Thicklin
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Rhonda Wilder
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Sybil Wilson
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Elizabeth Shenkman
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
| | - Susanna Naggie
- From the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (D.R.B.); Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville (C.J.L., S.C.); the University of Virginia, Charlottesville (T.G.S.); the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC (A.F.H., G.M.F., A.D., A.R., R.W., S.W., S.N.); Weill Cornell Medicine, New York (M.W.M.); the University of Miami, Miami (D.J.), and the University of Florida, Gainesville (E.S.); the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia (N.G.); the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City (M.C.); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (M.S.), and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (S.E.D.) and the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (S.J.A.), Bethesda - all in Maryland; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (K.M.) and the ACTIV-6 Stakeholder Advisory Committee, University of Pittsburgh (F.T.) - both in Pittsburgh; the University of Colorado Denver-Anschutz, Denver (A.A.G.); and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Washington, DC (G.H.)
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Kerley RN, John A, Matiullah S, Rogan M. Acute Cardiac Manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Spotting the Clot. Case Rep Cardiol 2023; 2023:6366959. [PMID: 37744894 PMCID: PMC10513794 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6366959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A middle-aged gentleman presented with a one-week history of progressive dyspnoea on minimal exertion, persistent haemoptysis, and right calf swelling. His only past medical history of note was a recently positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab performed as part of a workplace outbreak screening. A CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) showed bilateral pulmonary thrombi, extensive consolidation, and a left ventricular (LV) thrombus. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a dilated LV with severely impaired systolic function and LV thrombus. The patient was anticoagulated with warfarin, commenced on IV diuretics and COVID-19 protocol. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed a severely dilated nonischaemic cardiomyopathy with a heavy thrombus burden and a fibrosis pattern in keeping with myocarditis. We present a case of COVID-19-related myocardial dysfunction with high thrombotic burden and a discussion of its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert N. Kerley
- Department of Medicine, University College Cork, Ireland
- University Hospital Waterford, Dunmore Road, Waterford, Ireland
| | - Amal John
- University Hospital Waterford, Dunmore Road, Waterford, Ireland
| | | | - Mark Rogan
- University Hospital Waterford, Dunmore Road, Waterford, Ireland
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40
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Lai C, Toriumi F, Yoshida M. A cross-lingual analysis on the spread of misinformation using the case of Ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14686. [PMID: 37673903 PMCID: PMC10482930 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41760-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The spread of misinformation transgresses international boundaries, between languages and cultures. This is especially evident in times of global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. This study observes misinformation on Twitter in the Japanese and English languages regarding false claims that the drug Ivermectin is an effective treatment for Covid-19. Our exploratory cross-lingual analysis identifies key themes of discussion and influential users in both languages, finding English misinformation to be highly popular amongst Japanese users. Significantly, an analysis of the timing of retweets between languages reveals that Japanese users find and widely share English misinformation often before English users themselves. This contradicts expectations that users from other languages tend to pick up on popular misinformation in English. Instead, they seek out English language sources irrespective of their popularity to support their agenda. These results emphasise the importance of cross-lingual mitigation strategies for organizations trying to combat misinformation, and that they must look beyond their own language spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Lai
- Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
| | - Fujio Toriumi
- Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Yoshida
- Institute of Business Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, 112-0012, Japan
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Wang Z, Pan Q, Ma L, Zhao J, McIntosh F, Liu Z, Ding S, Lin R, Cen S, Finzi A, Liang C. Anthracyclines inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Virus Res 2023; 334:199164. [PMID: 37379907 PMCID: PMC10305762 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines and drugs are two effective medical interventions to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Three SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors, remdesivir, paxlovid, and molnupiravir, have been approved for treating COVID-19 patients, but more are needed, because each drug has its limitation of usage and SARS-CoV-2 constantly develops drug resistance mutations. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 drugs have the potential to be repurposed to inhibit new human coronaviruses, thus help to prepare for future coronavirus outbreaks. We have screened a library of microbial metabolites to discover new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors. To facilitate this screening effort, we generated a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant carrying the nano luciferase as a reporter for measuring viral infection. Six compounds were found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 at the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) below 1 μM, including the anthracycline drug aclarubicin that markedly reduced viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp)-mediated gene expression, whereas other anthracyclines inhibited SARS-CoV-2 by activating the expression of interferon and antiviral genes. As the most commonly prescribed anti-cancer drugs, anthracyclines hold the promise of becoming new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Qinghua Pan
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ling Ma
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianyuan Zhao
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fiona McIntosh
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill International TB Centre, Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zhenlong Liu
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shilei Ding
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rongtuan Lin
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shan Cen
- Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Andrés Finzi
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chen Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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42
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Williams AH, Zhan CG. Staying Ahead of the Game: How SARS-CoV-2 has Accelerated the Application of Machine Learning in Pandemic Management. BioDrugs 2023; 37:649-674. [PMID: 37464099 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00611-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, machine learning (ML) techniques have garnered considerable interest for their potential use in accelerating the rate of drug discovery. With the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the utilization of ML has become even more crucial in the search for effective antiviral medications. The pandemic has presented the scientific community with a unique challenge, and the rapid identification of potential treatments has become an urgent priority. Researchers have been able to accelerate the process of identifying drug candidates, repurposing existing drugs, and designing new compounds with desirable properties using machine learning in drug discovery. To train predictive models, ML techniques in drug discovery rely on the analysis of large datasets, including both experimental and clinical data. These models can be used to predict the biological activities, potential side effects, and interactions with specific target proteins of drug candidates. This strategy has proven to be an effective method for identifying potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other disease treatments. This paper offers a thorough analysis of the various ML techniques implemented to combat COVID-19, including supervised and unsupervised learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. The paper discusses the impact of these techniques on pandemic drug development, including the identification of potential treatments, the understanding of the disease mechanism, and the creation of effective and safe therapeutics. The lessons learned can be applied to future outbreaks and drug discovery initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H Williams
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
- GSK Upper Providence, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Chang-Guo Zhan
- Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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43
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Ostrovsky AM, Parikh C. Impact of misinformation on ivermectin internet searches and prescribing trends during COVID-19. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:631-635. [PMID: 36542148 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdac152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a surge of publications seeking to understand the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A byproduct of the rush to understand COVID-19 has been the publication and subsequent retraction of papers promoting unfounded treatments, such as ivermectin-an anti-parasitic medication. This study aims to determine the impact retracted studies may have had on ivermectin prescription rates. TriNetX was used to gather anonymized patient data from 67 healthcare organizations both within the USA (36,711 patients; 91.6%) and abroad (3,266 patients; 8.14%) to obtain prescribing rates for ivermectin between April 2020-September 2022. Google Trends was used to gauge online interest in purchasing ivermectin in relation to prescribing rates. We found that ivermectin use largely increased following periods in which later-retracted journal articles were written touting its potential benefits. Multiple spikes in Google searches were observed, with the first three local peaks occurring within the first, second, and third publication 'clusters,' respectively. The maximum peak for searches occurred just one month after the maximum number of ivermectin prescriptions. This information is important for understanding how health-related misinformation spreads, and how to best minimize and counteract the impact of such misinformation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M Ostrovsky
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
| | - Chitra Parikh
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
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Barbosa AN, Chebabo A, Starling C, Pérez C, Cunha CA, de Luna D, Nunes EP, Zambrano G, Ferreira JC, Croda J, Falavigna M, Gomes-da-Silva MM, Thormann M, Cimerman S, Parahiba SM, Tanni S, Bernardo WM, Rodriguez-Morales AJ. Pan-American Guidelines for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: a joint evidence-based guideline of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI) and the Pan-American Association of Infectious Diseases (API). Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob 2023; 22:67. [PMID: 37550690 PMCID: PMC10408214 DOI: 10.1186/s12941-023-00623-w] [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: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, therapeutic options for treating COVID-19 have been investigated at different stages of clinical manifestations. Considering the particular impact of COVID-19 in the Americas, this document aims to present recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 specific to this population. METHODS Fifteen experts, members of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (SBI) and the Pan-American Association of Infectious Diseases (API) make up the panel responsible for developing this guideline. Questions were formulated regarding prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 in outpatient and inpatient settings. The outcomes considered in decision-making were mortality, hospitalisation, need for mechanical ventilation, symptomatic COVID-19 episodes, and adverse events. In addition, a systematic review of randomised controlled trials was conducted. The quality of evidence assessment and guideline development process followed the GRADE system. RESULTS Nine technologies were evaluated, and ten recommendations were made, including the use of tixagevimab + cilgavimab in the prophylaxis of COVID-19, tixagevimab + cilgavimab, molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir + ritonavir, and remdesivir in the treatment of outpatients, and remdesivir, baricitinib, and tocilizumab in the treatment of hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19. The use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine and ivermectin was discouraged. CONCLUSION This guideline provides recommendations for treating patients in the Americas following the principles of evidence-based medicine. The recommendations present a set of drugs that have proven effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19, emphasising the strong recommendation for the use of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in outpatients as the lack of benefit from the use of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Naime Barbosa
- Infectious Diseases Department - Botucatu School of Medicine - UNESP, Av. Prof. Mário R. G. Montenegro, s/n, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18.618-687, Brazil.
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Julio de Mesquita Filho, Distrito de Rubiao Jr, s/n, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18618-970, Brazil.
| | - Alberto Chebabo
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Professor Rodolpho Paulo Rocco, 255, 50. Andar, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21941-913, Brazil
- Brazilian Society for Infectious Diseases, Rua Teixeira da Silva, 660, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04002-033, Brazil
| | - Carlos Starling
- Sociedade Mineira de Infectologia - SMI, Avenida João Pinheiro, 161, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 30130-180, Brazil
| | - Clevy Pérez
- Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), Avenida Simón Bolívar, 902, Santo Domingo, 10108, República Dominicana
| | - Clóvis Arns Cunha
- Brazilian Society for Infectious Diseases, Rua Teixeira da Silva, 660, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04002-033, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua XV de Novembro, 1299, Curitiba, PR, CEP 80060-000, Brazil
| | - David de Luna
- Comisión Nacional de Arbitraje Médico, C Mitla, 250, Ciudad de México, 03020, México
| | - Estevão Portela Nunes
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia (INI), Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Zambrano
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Facultad de Medicina, Posgrado de Medicina Interna, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Juliana Carvalho Ferreira
- Divisão de Pneumologia, Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Dr. Enéas Carvalho de Aguiar, 44, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05403-900, Brazil
- Intensive Care Unit, AC Camargo Cancer Center, Rua Prof. Antônio Prudente, 211, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01509-001, Brazil
| | - Julio Croda
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Avenida Costa e Silva, s/n, Cidade Universitária, Campo Grande, MS, CEP 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Maicon Falavigna
- HTAnalyze Consulting and Training, Rua João Abbott, 109, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90460-150, Brazil
| | - Monica Maria Gomes-da-Silva
- Infectious Disease Control Service, Clinical Hospital, Universidade Federal Do Paraná, Rua General Carneiro, 181, Curitiba, PR, CEP 80060-900, Brazil
| | - Monica Thormann
- Hospital Salvador Bienvenido Gautier, Calle Alexander Fleming, 177, Santo Domingo, 10514, Dominican Republic
| | - Sergio Cimerman
- Brazilian Society for Infectious Diseases, Rua Teixeira da Silva, 660, São Paulo, SP, CEP 04002-033, Brazil
- Institute of Infectious Diseases Emilio Ribas, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, 165, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05402-000, Brazil
| | - Suena Medeiros Parahiba
- HTAnalyze Consulting and Training, Rua João Abbott, 109, Porto Alegre, RS, CEP 90460-150, Brazil
| | - Suzana Tanni
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Julio de Mesquita Filho, Distrito de Rubiao Jr, s/n, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18618-970, Brazil
| | - Wanderley Marques Bernardo
- Medical Education Development Center (CEDEM) of Medical Faculty of São Paulo University (FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Alfonso J Rodriguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de Las Américas-Institución Universitaria Visión de Las Américas, 660003, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, 4861, Peru.
- Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Latin American Network of Coronavirus Disease 2019 - COVID-19 Research (LANCOVID-19), Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.
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Stevens G, Dolley S, Mogg R, Connor JT. A template for the authoring of statistical analysis plans. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2023; 34:101100. [PMID: 37388218 PMCID: PMC10300078 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of principal investigators may have limited access to biostatisticians, a lack of biostatistical training, or no requirement to complete a timely statistical analysis plan (SAP). SAPs completed early will identify design or implementation weak points, improve protocols, remove the temptation for p-hacking, and enable proper peer review by stakeholders considering funding the trial. An SAP completed at the same time as the study protocol might be the only comprehensive method for at once optimizing sample size, identifying bias, and applying rigor to study design. This ordered corpus of SAP sections with detailed definitions and a variety of examples represents an omnibus of best practice methods offered by biostatistical practitioners inside and outside of industry. The article presents a protocol template for clinical research design, enabling statisticians, from beginners to advanced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Stevens
- DynaStat Consulting, Inc., 119 Fairway Court, Bastrop, TX, 78602, USA
| | - Shawn Dolley
- Open Global Health, 710 12th St. South, Suite 2523, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA
| | - Robin Mogg
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., 95 Hayden Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA
| | - Jason T. Connor
- ConfluenceStat, 3102 NW 82nd Way, Cooper City, Florida, 33024, USA
- University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 6850 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL, 32827, USA
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Chamie JJ, Hibberd JA, Scheim DE. COVID-19 Excess Deaths in Peru's 25 States in 2020: Nationwide Trends, Confounding Factors, and Correlations With the Extent of Ivermectin Treatment by State. Cureus 2023; 15:e43168. [PMID: 37692571 PMCID: PMC10484241 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2020, nations hastened to contain an emerging COVID-19 pandemic by deploying diverse public health approaches, but conclusive appraisals of the efficacy of these approaches are elusive in most cases. One of the medicines deployed, ivermectin (IVM), a macrocyclic lactone having biochemical activity against SARS-CoV-2 through competitive binding to its spike protein, has yielded mixed results in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) for COVID-19 treatments. In Peru, an opportunity to track the efficacy of IVM with a close consideration of confounding factors was provided through data for excess deaths as correlated with IVM use in 2020, under semi-autonomous policies in its 25 states. Methods To evaluate possible IVM treatment effects, excess deaths as determined from Peruvian national health data were analyzed by state for ages ≥60 in Peru's 25 states. These data were compared with monthly summary data for excess deaths in Peru for the period 2020-2021 as published by the WHO in 2022. To identify potential confounding factors, Google mobility data, population densities, SARS-CoV-2 genetic variations, and seropositivity rates were also examined. Results Reductions in excess deaths over a period of 30 days after peak deaths averaged 74% in the 10 states with the most intensive IVM use. As determined across all 25 states, these reductions in excess deaths correlated closely with the extent of IVM use (p<0.002). During four months of IVM use in 2020, before a new president of Peru restricted its use, there was a 14-fold reduction in nationwide excess deaths and then a 13-fold increase in the two months following the restriction of IVM use. Notably, these trends in nationwide excess deaths align with WHO summary data for the same period in Peru. Conclusions The natural experiment that was put into motion with the authorization of IVM use for COVID-19 in Peru in May 2020, as analyzed using data on excess deaths by locality and by state from Peruvian national health sources, resulted in strong evidence for the drug's effectiveness. Several potential confounding factors, including effects of a social isolation mandate imposed in May 2020, variations in the genetic makeup of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and differences in seropositivity rates and population densities across the 25 states, were considered but did not appear to have significantly influenced these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Chamie
- Data Analysis, Independent Data Analyst, Cambridge, USA
| | | | - David E Scheim
- Commissioned Corps, Inactive Reserve, United States Public Health Service, Blacksburg, USA
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Anesi GL, Degnan K, Dutcher L, Saw S, Maguire C, Binkley A, Patel S, Athans V, Barton TD, Binkley S, Candeloro CL, Herman DJ, Kasbekar N, Kennedy L, Millstein JH, Meyer NJ, Talati NJ, Patel H, Pegues DA, Sayre PJ, Tebas P, Terico AT, Murphy KM, O’Donnell JA, White M, Hamilton KW. The Penn Medicine COVID-19 Therapeutics Committee-Reflections on a Model for Rapid Evidence Review and Dynamic Practice Recommendations During a Public Health Emergency. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofad428. [PMID: 37663091 PMCID: PMC10468749 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Penn Medicine COVID-19 Therapeutics Committee-an interspecialty, clinician-pharmacist, and specialist-front line primary care collaboration-has served as a forum for rapid evidence review and the production of dynamic practice recommendations during the 3-year coronavirus disease 2019 public health emergency. We describe the process by which the committee went about its work and how it navigated specific challenging scenarios. Our target audiences are clinicians, hospital leaders, public health officials, and researchers invested in preparedness for inevitable future threats. Our objectives are to discuss the logistics and challenges of forming an effective committee, undertaking a rapid evidence review process, aligning evidence-based guidelines with operational realities, and iteratively revising recommendations in response to changing pandemic data. We specifically discuss the arc of evidence for corticosteroids; the noble beginnings and dangerous misinformation end of hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin; monoclonal antibodies and emerging viral variants; and patient screening and safety processes for tocilizumab, baricitinib, and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir.
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Affiliation(s)
- George L Anesi
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathleen Degnan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lauren Dutcher
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stephen Saw
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christina Maguire
- Department of Pharmacy, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amanda Binkley
- Department of Pharmacy, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sonal Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vasilios Athans
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Todd D Barton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shawn Binkley
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christina L Candeloro
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David J Herman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nishaminy Kasbekar
- Department of Pharmacy, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leigh Kennedy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Millstein
- Regional Physician Practices of Penn Medicine, Woodbury Heights, New Jersey, USA
| | - Nuala J Meyer
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Naasha J Talati
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hinal Patel
- Department of Pharmacy, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - David A Pegues
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patrick J Sayre
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adrienne T Terico
- Department of Pharmacy, Pennsylvania Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathleen M Murphy
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Judith A O’Donnell
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Melissa White
- Department of Pharmacy, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Keith W Hamilton
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Ruiz-Cáceres I, Hermida Romero T, Guerra Merino I, Portu Zapirain J, Pérez-Mies B, Sánchez-Conde M, Riaño MA, Rubio R, Fortés Alen J, Vidal González Á, Salas Antón C, Múñez E, Sánchez Sánchez R, Corona-Mata D, Aldecoa Ansorregui I, Miró JM, Beloqui Pérez de Obanos R, Ibero C, Gómez-Román J, Fariñas MC, Tabuyo Bello T, de Alava E, Cisneros JM, Matías-Guiu X, Rivero A. Post-mortem findings in Spanish patients with COVID-19; a special focus on superinfections. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1151843. [PMID: 37484846 PMCID: PMC10359908 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1151843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Whole-body autopsies may be crucial to understand coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology. We aimed to analyze pathological findings in a large series of full-body autopsies, with a special focus on superinfections. Methods This was a prospective multicenter study that included 70 COVID-19 autopsies performed between April 2020 and February 2021. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological information was collected using a standardized case report form. Results Median (IQR) age was 70 (range 63.75-74.25) years and 76% of cases were males. Most patients (90%,) had at least one comorbidity prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, with vascular risk factors being the most frequent. Infectious complications were developed by 65.71% of the patients during their follow-up. Mechanical ventilation was required in most patients (75.71%) and was mainly invasive. In multivariate analyses, length of hospital stay and invasive mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with infections (p = 0.036 and p = 0.013, respectively). Necropsy findings revealed diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs, left ventricular hypertrophy in the heart, liver steatosis and pre-infection arteriosclerosis in the heart and kidneys. Conclusion Our study confirms the main necropsy histopathological findings attributed to COVID-19 in a large patient series, while underlining the importance of both comorbid conditions and superinfections in the pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Ruiz-Cáceres
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Reina Sofía University Hospital, The Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba University (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII – CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Teresa Hermida Romero
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, A Coruña University Hospital Complex, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Isabel Guerra Merino
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, University Hospital of Álava, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Joseba Portu Zapirain
- Bioaraba, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobials and Gene Therapy Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Álava University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez-Mies
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Matilde Sánchez-Conde
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital-IRYCIS, CIBERINFEC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marina Alonso Riaño
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Rubio
- Section of Internal Medicine, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Fortés Alen
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ánxela Vidal González
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Salas Antón
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Elena Múñez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Diana Corona-Mata
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Reina Sofía University Hospital, The Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba University (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - José M. Miró
- Infectious Diseases Service, Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Ibero
- Infectious Diseases, COVID Coordination at University Hospital of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Gómez-Román
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Santander, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Fariñas
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, IDIVAL, CIBERINFEC, University of Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Teresa Tabuyo Bello
- Department of Intensive Care, A Coruña University Hospital Complex, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Enrique de Alava
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - José Miguel Cisneros
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, Seville, Spain
| | - Xavier Matías-Guiu
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, Bellvitge University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Reina Sofía University Hospital, The Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba University (UCO), Córdoba, Spain
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Sullivan DJ, Focosi D, Hanley DF, Cruciani M, Franchini M, Ou J, Casadevall A, Paneth N. Outpatient regimens to reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2022.05.24.22275478. [PMID: 35665014 PMCID: PMC9164452 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.24.22275478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Background During pandemics, early outpatient treatments reduce the health system burden. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in COVID-19 outpatients have tested therapeutic agents, but no RCT or systematic review has been conducted comparing the efficacy of the main outpatient treatment classes to each other. We aimed in this systematic review of outpatient RCTs in COVID-19 to compare hospitalisation rate reductions with four classes of treatment: convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule antivirals and repurposed drugs. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all COVID-19 outpatient RCTs that included the endpoint of progression to hospitalisation. We assembled, from multiple published and preprint databases, participant characteristics, hospitalisations, resolution of symptoms and mortality from January 2020 to May 21, 2023. The risk of bias from COVID-NMA was incorporated into the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. We measured heterogeneity with I 2 . Meta-analysis by a random or fixed effect model dependent on significant heterogeneity (I 2 >50%) was performed. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42022369181. Findings The search identified 281 studies of which 54 RCTs for 30 diverse interventions were included in the final analysis. These trials, performed largely in unvaccinated cohorts during pre-Omicron waves, focused on populations with at least one COVID-19 hospitalisation risk factor. Grouping by class, monoclonal antibodies (OR=0.31 [95% CI=0.24-0.40]) had highest efficacy, followed by COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) (OR=0.69 [95% CI=0.53 to 0.90]) and small molecule antivirals (OR=0.78 [95% CI=0.48-1.33]) for hospital reduction. Repurposed drugs (OR=0.82 [95% CI-0.72-0.93]) had lower efficacy. Interpretation Inasmuch as omicron sublineages (XBB and BQ.1.1) are now resistant to monoclonal antibodies, oral antivirals are the preferred treatment in outpatients where available, but intravenous interventions from convalescent plasma to remdesivir are also effective and necessary in constrained medical resource settings or for acute and chronic COVID-19 in the immunocompromised. Funding US Department of Defense and National Institute of Health. Research in context Evidence before this study: We systematically searched the published and preprint data bases for outpatient randomized clinical trials of treatment of COVID-19 disease with hospitalisation as an endpoint. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have confined the reviews to specific classes such as convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule antivirals or repurposed drugs. Few comparisons have been made between these therapeutic classes. The trials took place both in the pre-vaccination and the vaccination era, spanning periods with dominance of different COVID variants. We sought to compare efficacy between the four classes of treatments listed above when used in outpatient COVID-19 patients as shown in randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Added value of this study This systematic review and meta-analysis brings together trials that assessed hospitalisation rates in diverse COVID-19 outpatient populations varying in age and comorbidities, permitting us to assess the efficacy of interventions both within and across therapeutic classes. While heterogeneity exists within and between these intervention classes, the meta-analysis can be placed in context of trial diverse populations over variant time periods of the pandemic. At present most of the world population has either had COVID-19 or been vaccinated with a high seropositivity rate, indicating that future placebo-controlled trials will be limited because of the sample sizes required to document hospitalisation outcomes. Implications of all the available evidence Numerous diverse therapeutic tools need to be ready for a resilient response to changing SARS-CoV-2 variants in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised COVID-19 outpatient populations. To date few head-to-head randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has compared treatment options for COVID-19 outpatients, making comparisons and treatment choices difficult. This systematic review compares outcomes among RCTs of outpatient therapy for COVID-19, taking into account time between onset of symptoms and treatment administration. We found that small-chemical antivirals, convalescent plasma and monoclonal antibodies had comparable efficacy between classes and amongst interventions within the four classes. Monoclonals have lost efficacy with viral mutation, and chemical antivirals have contraindications and adverse events, while intravenous interventions like convalescent plasma or remdesivir remain resilient options for the immunocompromised, and, in the case of CCP, in resource constrained settings with limited availability of oral drugs.
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50
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Gupta Y, Savytskyi OV, Coban M, Venugopal A, Pleqi V, Weber CA, Chitale R, Durvasula R, Hopkins C, Kempaiah P, Caulfield TR. Protein structure-based in-silico approaches to drug discovery: Guide to COVID-19 therapeutics. Mol Aspects Med 2023; 91:101151. [PMID: 36371228 PMCID: PMC9613808 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2022.101151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
With more than 5 million fatalities and close to 300 million reported cases, COVID-19 is the first documented pandemic due to a coronavirus that continues to be a major health challenge. Despite being rapid, uncontrollable, and highly infectious in its spread, it also created incentives for technology development and redefined public health needs and research agendas to fast-track innovations to be translated. Breakthroughs in computational biology peaked during the pandemic with renewed attention to making all cutting-edge technology deliver agents to combat the disease. The demand to develop effective treatments yielded surprising collaborations from previously segregated fields of science and technology. The long-standing pharmaceutical industry's aversion to repurposing existing drugs due to a lack of exponential financial gain was overrun by the health crisis and pressures created by front-line researchers and providers. Effective vaccine development even at an unprecedented pace took more than a year to develop and commence trials. Now the emergence of variants and waning protections during the booster shots is resulting in breakthrough infections that continue to strain health care systems. As of now, every protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been structurally characterized and related host pathways have been extensively mapped out. The research community has addressed the druggability of a multitude of possible targets. This has been made possible due to existing technology for virtual computer-assisted drug development as well as new tools and technologies such as artificial intelligence to deliver new leads. Here in this article, we are discussing advances in the drug discovery field related to target-based drug discovery and exploring the implications of known target-specific agents on COVID-19 therapeutic management. The current scenario calls for more personalized medicine efforts and stratifying patient populations early on for their need for different combinations of prognosis-specific therapeutics. We intend to highlight target hotspots and their potential agents, with the ultimate goal of using rational design of new therapeutics to not only end this pandemic but also uncover a generalizable platform for use in future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yash Gupta
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Oleksandr V Savytskyi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; In Vivo Biosystems, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Matt Coban
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Vasili Pleqi
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Caleb A Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Rohit Chitale
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; The Council on Strategic Risks, 1025 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ravi Durvasula
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Prakasha Kempaiah
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas R Caulfield
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of QHS Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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