[Application of HS221GI in treatment of influenza and ARVI in adults: a new approach - managing virus-induced inflammation. Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial]

AIM

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the drug Aterixen® (XC221GI, 1-[2-(1-methylimidazole-4-yl)-ethyl]perhydroazine-2,6-dione), in the treatment of uncomplicated forms of influenza and other ARVI in adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The phase III clinical trial enrolled 260 people aged 18-65 years with mild and moderate forms of influenza or other ARVI. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: in group 1 (n=130), patients were prescribed the drug Aterixen® in tablets of 100 mg 2 times a day for 5 days; in group 2 (n=130) - a placebo corresponding to the drug, in the same regimen. The primary endpoint of the efficacy assessment was the time in hours from the first administration of the drug to clinical improvement. The main efficacy analysis was performed in a population of patients with PCR-confirmed influenza or ARVI who completed the study according to the protocol (per protocol infected). Additionally, efficacy was evaluated in ITT and PP populations, including patients with both identified and undetected pathogen. The population for safety analysis included all patients, without exception, who were exposed to at least one exposure to the study drug or placebo.

RESULTS

A statistically significant superiority of the drug Aterixen® over placebo in primary endpoint was revealed in both the main and additional analysis in all studied populations: clinical improvement in the group of the studied drug occurred 24 hours faster compared with the placebo group. The evaluation of the effectiveness of secondary endpoints confirmed the superiority of the drug Aterixen® over placebo in terms of relief of catarrhal symptoms and symptoms of intoxication. A favorable safety profile of the drug has been demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

The drug has demonstrated a favorable safety profile for use in outpatient practice. Aterixen® is an effective and safe treatment for influenza and other ARVI in adults.

Curtailing virus-induced inflammation in respiratory infections: emerging strategies for therapeutic interventions

Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are the most common illnesses worldwide. In some instances, mild cases of ARVI progress to hyperinflammatory responses, which are damaging to pulmonary tissue and requiring intensive care. Here we summarize available information on preclinical and clinical effects of XC221GI (1-[2-(1-methyl imidazole-4-yl)-ethyl]perhydroazin-2,6-dione), an oral drug with a favorable safety profile that has been tested in animal models of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, highly pathogenic coronavirus strains and other acute viral upper respiratory infections. XC221GI is capable of controlling IFN-gamma-driven inflammation as it is evident from the suppression of the production of soluble cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, CXCL10, CXCL9 and CXCL11 as well as a decrease in migration of neutrophils into the pulmonary tissue. An excellent safety profile of XC221GI, which is not metabolized by the liver, and its significant anti-inflammatory effects indicate utility of this compound in abating conversion of ambulatory cases of respiratory infections into the cases with aggravated presentation that require hospitalization. This drug is especially useful when rapid molecular assays determining viral species are impractical, or when direct antiviral drugs are not available. Moreover, XC221GI may be combined with direct antiviral drugs to enhance their therapeutic effects.

New opportunities for preventive anti-inflammatory therapy in the management of patients with moderate and severe COVID-19

The specific feature of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is high risk of hyperinflammatory response or cytokine storm development, which underly the pathogenesis of several life-threatening conditions and determine the disease outcomes. Pathophysiological features of COVID-19 justify the search of effective drugs capable to control the hyperinflammatory response. Aim. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aterixen (1-[2-(1-Мethylimidazol-4-yl)-ethyl]perhydroazin-2,6-dion) for achieving clinical improvement in adult patients hospitalized with moderate and severe COVID-19. Materials and methods. Multicenter, adaptive, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aterixen , tablets, 100 mg, in patients with COVID-19. The study analysis included 116 patients who, by randomization, were divided into 2 groups: 57 patients were included in the Aterixen drug group and 59 patients were in the placebo group. Results and conclusion. Obtained results have shown high efficacy and statistically significant superiority of Aterixen over placebo. Thus, it allows us to consider it as viable medication for COVID-19 pathogenetic therapy.