Repurposed Approved and Under Development Therapies for Patients With Early-Onset COVID-19 and Mild Symptoms

May 6, 2024 updated by: Cardresearch

A Multicenter, Prospective, Adaptive, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of Fluvoxamine Plus Budesonide, Fluoxetine Plus Budesonide and Spirulin Platensis, in High Risk Patients With Mild COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been characterized by high morbidity and mortality, especially in certain subgroups of patients. To date, no treatment has been shown to be effective in patients with early-onset disease and mild symptoms. Experimental studies have demonstrated a potential anti-inflammatory role of Fluvoxamine, Fluoxetine, Budesonide and Spirulin Platensis in SARS-CoV-2 infections and observational studies have suggested a reduced complications in patients with COVID-19 disease.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

In December 2019 a series of viral pneumonia cases were reported in the city of Wuhan, China and a new subtype of coronavirus has been identified as the causative agent of this condition. On February 11, 2000 the disease has been characterized as COVID-19 and on March 11 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a state of worldwide pandemic. On January 25, 2021 there are 98,794,942 cases and 2,124,193 documented deaths (global case-fatality ratio of 2.15%).

To date, no early treatment has been identified as effective in combating this disease which has been identified as with high morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data suggest that despite development of vaccines we will have hundreds od thousands of cases in the next two years.

Thus, we propose the prospective, double-blinded, randomized evaluation of potential therapies against SARS-CoV2 and some clinical evidence derived from observational studies on reducing complications if used early on the disease, before inflammatory cascade is fully activated.

Important considerations on TOGETHER Adaptive Trial:

  1. The Pegylated Lambda interferon arm was ended on early February 2022.
  2. The Proposal of a new arm: Spirulin platensis.
  3. The Modification on primary endpoints that will be effective only for new arms added to the trial (Spirulin platensis).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

7819

Phase

  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

    • MG
      • Betim, MG, Brazil, 32550770
        • Recruiting
        • City of Betim
        • Contact:
          • Daniela C Medeiros, MD,PhD
        • Contact:
          • Tainara S Vieira
      • Contagem, MG, Brazil, 32215000
        • Recruiting
        • Hospital e Maternidade Santa Rita
        • Contact:
          • Thiago S Ferreira, MD
      • Governador Valadares, MG, Brazil, 35010-000
        • Recruiting
        • City of Governador Valadares
        • Contact:
          • Adhemar DF Neto, MD, PhD
        • Contact:
          • Marina L Marques, SC
      • Ibirité, MG, Brazil, 30240528
      • Nova Lima, MG, Brazil, 34000000
        • Recruiting
        • City of Nova Lima
        • Contact:
          • Leticia F Costa, RN
        • Contact:
          • Rosemary M Silva
      • Santa Luzia, MG, Brazil, 33105160
        • Recruiting
        • City of Santa Luzia
        • Contact:
          • Eduardo Augusto SM Silva, MD, PhD
        • Contact:
          • Vitoria HS Campos, SC
      • Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil, 35700-000
        • Recruiting
        • City of Sete Lagoas
        • Contact:
          • Vinicius A Correa, MD
        • Contact:
    • Minas Gerais
      • Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 30150240
        • Recruiting
        • CARDRESEARCH - Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Gilmar Reis, MD,PhD
      • Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 35.460-000
        • Not yet recruiting
        • City of Brumadinho
        • Contact:
          • Eduardo D Calegari, MD
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Eduardo Calegari, MD
      • Igarapé, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 32900-000
        • Recruiting
        • City of Igarapé
        • Contact:
          • Luciene B Ribeiro, RN
          • Phone Number: +55313657574
      • Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 39.408-007
        • Recruiting
        • Centro Universitário FIPMOC
        • Contact:
          • Ana Maria, MD
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Ana Maria R Nogueira, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ana Paula FG Alvarenga, MD
      • Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 35400000
        • Recruiting
        • Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Leonardo Savassi, MD, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

A - Inclusion Criteria (except fluoxetine + budesonide and paracetamol arms):

  1. Patients over 18 years old with the ability to provide free and informed consent
  2. Acute Flu-Like symptoms < 07 days.
  3. Patients with at least ONE enhancement criteria:

    1. The. Age > 50 years old (does not need any of the other criteria)
    2. Diabetes mellitus requiring oral medication or insulin
    3. Systemic arterial hypertension requiring at least 01 oral medication for treatment
    4. Known cardiovascular diseases (heart failure, congenital heart disease, valvular disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies under treatment, clinically manifest heart diseases with clinical repercussions)
    5. Symptomatic and/or treated lung disease (emphysema, fibrosing diseases)
    6. Patients with symptomatic asthma requiring chronic use of agents to control symptoms.
    7. Obesity, defined as BMI > 30 kg/m2 in weight and height information provided by the patient;
    8. Transplant patients
    9. Patient with stage IV chronic kidney disease or on dialysis.
    10. Patient with temperature measured at screening > 38º C.
    11. Patients with at least one of the following symptoms: Cough, Dyspnea, Ventilator-dependent chest pain or myalgias with limitation of daily activities (Criterion limited to 25% of randomizations)
    12. Immunosuppressed patients/using corticosteroid therapy (equivalent to a maximum of 10 mg of prednisone per day) and/or immunosuppressive therapy)
    13. Patients with a history of cancer in the last 5 years or currently undergoing oncological treatment
  4. Patient with positive rapid test for SARS-CoV2 antigen performed on occasion of the screening or patient with a positive SARS-CoV2 diagnostic test within 07 days of the onset of symptoms.
  5. Willingness to use the proposed investigative treatment and follow the protocol-related procedures foreseen in the research.
  6. Signing the Free and Informed Consent Form before any research procedures

B - Inclusion criteria for the Fluoxetine + Budesonide combination arm (07 days of treatment - partnership with the "ANTICOV Consortium"):

  1. Patients over 18 years of age with the ability to provide free and informed consent.
  2. Patients treated at a Basic Health Unit of the Unified Health System (SUS) or patients treated at emergency care units of the SUS or supplementary medicine with an acute clinical condition compatible with COVID 19.
  3. Patients over 18 years of age and a history of at least ONE of the following criteria.

    1. Diabetes mellitus, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular diseases or patients considered to be underweight or overweight according to the investigator's judgment (BMI ≤ 16 or BMI > 25).

      OR

    2. Individuals aged ≥ 60 years without co-morbidities.

      4) COVID-19 confirmed by molecular or antigenic test for SARS-CoV-2 within up to 24 hours prior to screening and a maximum of 2 days after sample collection.

      5) Viral syndrome with or without pneumonia and arterial O2 saturation > 94%.

      6) Signing the Free and Informed Consent Form before any research procedures.

      7) Willingness to use the proposed investigational treatment and follow the procedures provided for in the research.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Negative diagnostic test for SARS-CoV2 associated with acute flu-like symptoms (patients with a negative test taken early and becoming positive a few days later are eligible, as long as they are < 07 days from the onset of flu-like symptoms);
  2. Patients with an acute respiratory condition compatible with COVID-19 treated in the primary care network and with a decision to be hospitalized;
  3. Patients with acute respiratory symptoms due to other causes;
  4. Dyspnea secondary to other acute and chronic respiratory causes or infections (e.g. decompensated COPD, Acute bronchitis, Pneumonia other than viral, Primary pulmonary arterial hypertension);
  5. Patients requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 or SpO2 ≤ 93%.
  6. Exclusion criteria applicable to the 7-day treatment arms:

    1. Abnormal findings on physical examination: Respiratory rate ≥ 25 irm; blood pressure < 90/ 60 mmHg or > 160/ 100 mmHg; Weight < 45 kg; recent episodes of vomiting in the last 24 hours or diarrhea > 3 episodes in the last 24 hours or serum potassium below 3.5 mEq/L.
    2. Serious injury to any organ that requires resuscitation and continuous treatment.
    3. Use of chronic systemic corticosteroid therapy with prednisone equivalent doses of > 40 mg/day
    4. Ongoing immunosuppressive treatment
    5. History of known pulmonary arterial hypertension or pulmonary fibrosis
    6. Patients previously vaccinated with two doses for SARS-CoV-2, with the last dose administered less than 180 days after screening; Patients with a single dose of Janssen SARS-CoV-2 vaccine received (except Janssen vaccine) and unvaccinated patients can participate regardless of the period.
    7. Use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (all)
    8. Patients vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 (complete vaccination - 02 doses) within 06 months of the last dose before randomization or patients who received a "booster" dose at any time before randomization.
    9. For any new antiviral included in the study, prior treatment with the antiviral, presence of contraindication to its use or concomitant intake of medication prohibited for its use.
    10. Enrolled in other clinical trials with unregistered medicines or with a registered medicine that may interact with any of the study PIs or contraindicated as concomitant treatment in the last 3 months before screening.
  7. Exclusion criteria applicable to the 10-day treatment arm:

    A. Chronic use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors other than sertraline B. Chronic use of corticosteroid therapy with prednisone equivalent doses of > 40 mg/day

  8. Exclusion criteria applicable to the 14-day treatment arm: Patients with phenylketonuria;
  9. Continued use of monoamine oxidation inhibitors (MAOIs): Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Selegiline, Isocarboxazid, moclobemide;
  10. Patients with severe psychiatric disorders - schizophrenia, uncontrolled bipolar disorders, major depression with suicidal ideation.
  11. Pregnant or breastfeeding patients;
  12. History of severe ventricular cardiac arrhythmia (Ventricular Tachycardia, recovered ventricular fibrillation patients) or Long QT Syndrome;
  13. Known history of decompensated heart failure (NYHA III or IV), recent myocardial infarction (event < 90 days from screening), unstable angina, recent coronary bypass surgery (procedure < 90 days from screening), recent stroke ( event < 90 days from screening), symptomatic carotid disease, or mitral or aortic stenosis of moderate to severe intensity;
  14. Surgical procedure or hospitalization planned (for other indications) to occur during treatment or up to 5 days after the last dose of study medication;
  15. Current daily and/or uncontrolled alcohol consumption, which in the investigator's view could compromise participation in the study;
  16. History of seizures in the last month or uncontrolled seizures;
  17. Clinical history of moderate to severe hepatic impairment or liver cirrhosis with Child-Pugh classification C;
  18. Patients with known severe degenerative neurological diseases and/or serious mental illnesses as assessed by the investigator;
  19. Inability of the patient or representative to give consent or adhere to the procedures proposed in the protocol;
  20. Any clinical conditions, including psychiatric conditions, which in the investigator's view could be an impediment to the use of research medications;
  21. Known hypersensitivity and/or intolerance to Spirulin Platensis, Budesonide, Fluvoxamine and Fluoxetine;
  22. Use of medications which have a known interaction with Spirulin platensis, Budesonide, Fluvoxamine and Fluoxetine;
  23. Inability to use the medications and formulations provided for in this research;

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Fluvoxamine Maleate + Budesonide Inhalation powder

Fluvoxamine 100 mg oral tablets:

One tablet after randomization (Day 0) followed by 100 mg BID for the following 09 days PLUS

Budesonide Inhalation powder 400 mcg capsule:

One 400 mcg capsule (inhalation) after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff of 400 mcg BID for the following 09 days

One Fluvoxamine tablet every 12 hours since randomization through day 09. PLUS

01 Budesonide powder (inhalation) every 12 hours since randomization through day 09.

Other Names:
  • Fluvoxamine Maleate 100 MG [Luvox]

Placebo oral tablets (10-day schedule):

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

PLUS

Placebo Inhalation Therapy:

One dosing (inhalation puff) right after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff BID for the following 09 days

OR

Paracetamol (07-day schedule - active comparator):

Paracetamol 500 mg tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet BID starting at Rand. Day (Day 0) until end of Day 06 (total of 07 days schedule - ANTICOV Arm)

OR

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 02 tablets every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

Active Comparator: Spirulin Platensis
Spirulin Platensis 500mg oral tablets Two tablets right after randomization (day 0) followed by 1.000mg (two tablets) BID for the following 10 days.

Placebo oral tablets (10-day schedule):

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

PLUS

Placebo Inhalation Therapy:

One dosing (inhalation puff) right after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff BID for the following 09 days

OR

Paracetamol (07-day schedule - active comparator):

Paracetamol 500 mg tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet BID starting at Rand. Day (Day 0) until end of Day 06 (total of 07 days schedule - ANTICOV Arm)

OR

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 02 tablets every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

Two tablets every 12 hours since randomization through day 09 following randomization
Active Comparator: Fluoxetine + Budesonide Inhalation powder

Fluoxetine 20 mg oral tablets:

Two tablets right after randomization (Day 0) followed by 40 mg MID for the following 06 days PLUS

Budesonide Inhalation powder 400 mcg capsule:

One 400 mcg capsule (inhalation) right after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff of 400 mcg BID for the following 06 days

Two Fluoxetine tablets every day starting just after randomization through day 07.

PLUS

01 Budesonide powder (inhalation) every 12 hours since randomization through day 07.

Other Names:
  • Budesonide powder

Placebo oral tablets (10-day schedule):

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

PLUS

Placebo Inhalation Therapy:

One dosing (inhalation puff) right after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff BID for the following 09 days

OR

Paracetamol (07-day schedule - active comparator):

Paracetamol 500 mg tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet BID starting at Rand. Day (Day 0) until end of Day 06 (total of 07 days schedule - ANTICOV Arm)

OR

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 02 tablets every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Placebo oral tablets (10-day schedule):

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

PLUS

Placebo Inhalation Therapy:

One dosing (inhalation puff) right after randomization (Day 0) followed by one puff BID for the following 09 days

OR

Paracetamol (07-day schedule - active comparator):

Paracetamol 500 mg tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 01 tablet BID starting at Rand. Day (Day 0) until end of Day 06 (total of 07 days schedule - ANTICOV Arm)

OR

Matching tablets started after randomization using the dosing regimen of 02 tablets every 12 hs starting at Randomization Day (Day 0) until end of Day 09 (total of 10 day schedule)

One Fluvoxamine tablet every 12 hours since randomization through day 09. PLUS

01 Budesonide powder (inhalation) every 12 hours since randomization through day 09.

Other Names:
  • Fluvoxamine Maleate 100 MG [Luvox]

Two Fluoxetine tablets every day starting just after randomization through day 07.

PLUS

01 Budesonide powder (inhalation) every 12 hours since randomization through day 07.

Other Names:
  • Budesonide powder
Two tablets every 12 hours since randomization through day 09 following randomization

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rate of fluvoxamine + budesonide, fluoxetine + budesonide, Spirulin platensis in emergency care visits due to the worsening of COVID-19;
Time Frame: 28 days
Evaluation of emergency visits due to progression of COVID-19 symptoms and/or ocmplications
28 days
Rate of fluvoxamine + budesonide, fluoxetine + budesonide, Spirulin platensis in changing the need for Hospitalization due to COVID-19 progression and related complications, including lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)
Time Frame: 28 days
Hospitalization due to COVID-19 progression and related complications
28 days
Rate of fluvoxamine + budesonide, fluoxetine + budesonide, Spirulin platensis in changing SPO2 ≤ 93% after randomization
Time Frame: 28 days
Reduction of SPO2 ≤ 93% after randomization
28 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Time to clinical failure, defined as time to need for hospitalization due to the clinical progression of COVID-19 or associated complications.
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Time to hospitalization
Randomization through day 28
Number of days with respiratory symptoms since randomization
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Days with symptoms
Randomization through day 28
Rate of all-cause hospitalizations
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
All cause hospitalizations
Randomization through day 28
Rate of COVID-19 related hospitalizations
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
COVID-19 hospitalizations
Randomization through day 28
Number of days on Mechanical Ventilator
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Number of days on mechanical Ventilator
Randomization through day 28
Number of Days on Intensive Care Unit
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Number of days on Intensive Care Unit
Randomization through day 28
Number of days on hospitalizations
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Number of days on Hospitalization
Randomization through day 28
Health and Functioning after COVID-19 disease
Time Frame: Day 14 and Day 28
Self evaluation of health functioning post COVID using Promis Global Health Score. Short term scale is a 10 item patient-reported questionnaire using response options as a 5-point and one 11 point rating scale. Higher scores means better global health.
Day 14 and Day 28
Time to clinical changes (up to 28 days of randomization), defined as greater than 50% symptoms changing in reference to baseline symptoms.
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
time to > 50% clinical symptoms changes as reported on baseline visit (self reported)
Randomization through day 28
Numbers of days with respiratory symptoms on WURSS-21 scale after randomization
Time Frame: Randomization through day 28
Numbers of days with respiratory symptoms on WURSS-21 scale after randomization
Randomization through day 28
Time to symptom resolution
Time Frame: randomization through day 28
Time to improvement > 50% of baseline symptomatology based on WURSS-21 Scale.
randomization through day 28
Adherence of Study drug
Time Frame: Randomization through day 10
Percentage of adherence on Study drug
Randomization through day 10

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Gilmar Reis, MD,PhD., CARDRESEARCH - Cardiologia Assistencial e de Pesquisa
  • Study Director: Edward J Mills, FRCP, McMaster University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 19, 2021

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2024

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 25, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 26, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

January 27, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 8, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 6, 2024

Last Verified

May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Patient tables and main data.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

As of protocol termination

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Upon request

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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