Exploratory Regimen of Basiliximab for Treatment of Pulmonary Cytokine Storm in SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalized Adult Patients (FWCSWG-IL-2)

Fort Worth Clinical Sciences Working Group (FWCSWG) for COVID-19: Exploratory Regimen of Basiliximab for Treatment of Pulmonary Cytokine Storm in SARS-CoV-2 Hospitalized Adult Patients

To explore the efficacy of treatment of pulmonary cytokine storm induced by SARS-CoV2 with a monoclonal antibody to IL-2 (Basiliximab) in addition to current standard of care vs current standard of care with the primary efficacy endpoint being the proportion of subjects alive and free of ventilator support, defined as intubation and requiring mechanical ventilation, at Day 28 from time of randomization.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: SARS-CoV2 Infection; Cytokine Storm; SARS-CoV-2 Acute Respiratory Disease
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Basiliximab Injection

Detailed Description

The current pandemic driven by SARS-CoV2 creating the COVID-19 disease state is creating enormous healthcare challenges globally with limited treatment paradigms outside of supportive medical, and intensive care measures.

As the human population was entirely naïve to this viral pathogen, a particularly vigorous response of the immune cascade through cell-mediated mechanisms is a driving force behind the lethality of this disease in susceptible individuals. It is not presently understood why specific populations are at higher risk for disease state progression outside of traditional parameters such as age and pre-existing co-morbid health states. Furthermore, we lack a priori ways of identifying which SARS-COv2 infected patient may ultimately develop a "hyperactive" immune response that leads to the "cytokine storm" or "cytokine release syndrome", and the resultant cell, tissue, and organ system dysfunction.(1) Hypotheses in this area may include viral load phenomenon, aberration in immune/inflammatory regulatory check-points (JAK-STAT, JNK etc.), or underlying case dependent genetic factors (HLA etc.) influencing the immune system (2). Once the cytokine storm drives the clinical endpoint above, an affected patient who survives will become high risk for secondary pathogenic infection.

Intravenous remdesivir (3) along with dexamethasone (4, 5) have become standard of care therapeutics. The FDA recently provided emergency use authorization (EUA) for a novel SARS-COV2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody cocktail targeting the spike protein that docks with the ACE2 receptor on susceptible cells (Regeneron) (5). Rapid development of robust viral treatment strategies and vaccine development are the key strategies to managing SARS-COV2 in the long term. To this end, the FDA will be reviewing an EUA application for Pfizer's mRNA vaccine in early December, with similar review expected for Moderna's mRNA vaccine.

However, promising these developments are, thousands of patients are dying from cytokine storm mediated endpoints on a daily basis in the United States and across the world during the ongoing third wave/surge of COVID-19. There is broad recognition of this cytokine phenomenon, and in this era of targeted interleukin therapy for autoimmune disease states, a multitude of FDA approved monoclonal antibodies targeted to specific interleukins exist. Many institutions adopted IL-6 as a target for mitigation of the cytokine storm, and are utilizing tocilizumab (Actemra ®, Roche/Genentech) as a treatment (6) Sarilumab (Kevzara ®, Sanofi/Regeneron), another monoclonal Ab to IL-6, underwent rapid assessment for use in COVID-19(7). Both therapeutics did not meet primary specified endpoints in broader, Phase 2-3 studies.

These studies targeted the Th2/Tfh cytokine IL-6, as it plays a role in cytokine mediated inflammation in the lungs (9, 10) There is evidence that Il-6 can be induced within several hours by certain viral species (11) perhaps providing another reason why this was chosen as a target. Finally, this cytokine may serve as a target based on existing protocols to treat macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and based on early evidence of cytokine expression patterns in patients infected with SARS-COV2 in Wuhan, PRC (2, 12-14). Classically, however, Th2/Tfh related cytokines are associated with antibody mediated immune memory and response, and though Th2/Tfh cytokines play a crucial role in acute inflammation, we have not seen protocols that target differentiating cytokines that drive Th0 to Th1 maturation, or Th1 specific cytokines. The Th1 cytokine profile is more consistently demonstrated in almost all early viral infection, and therefore, we view these cytokines as potential targets for therapy to prevent or mitigate the cytokine storm (Figure 1) (2, 12). Cytokine storm is a downstream manifestation of the viral induced host response that represents either failure of the initial host response to mitigate viral load, an uncontrolled late cytotoxic T-cell activity, or both. There is no evidence that targeted therapy against Th1 cytokines impairs the host response with strong clinical evidence supporting use in other EBV mediated secondary HLH syndromes (15).

The cytokine environment in which antigen primed T cells differentiate determines the subset that develops. In particular, IL-4 is essential for the development of Th2 response and IFN-gamma, IL-12 and IL-18 all are important in the development of Th1 cells. Th1 cells produce IL-2 and IFN-g, which in turn, promote the differentiation of fully cytotoxic T cells from CD8+ precursors.

A recent report published in Nature Medicine by Long et al. demonstrated a multi-fold higher expression of Th-1 cytokines, in particular, TNF alpha and IL-2, and significant expression of the IL-2 receptor subunit alpha in symptomatic COVID 19 patients in Wuhan.(16) A subsequent report published in Science Immunology by Lee et al. (17) demonstrated similar results through transcriptional and immuno-profiling techniques, and most recently a report in Nature (18) did the same. Therefore, among all immunomodulatory therapies, we view that targeting the Th1 response to be a key strategy. We propose targeting the IL-2R with Basiliximab.

Basiliximab (Simulect ®) is a monoclonal antibody against a subunit of IL-2 and is FDA approved for the treatment of acute renal transplant rejection, and is used off label in many other cases of transplant rejection mitigation.(2, 12) This agent has a long track record of safety and we believe among Th1 cytokine targets, to be a safe target for inhibition in SARS-COV2 induced cytokine storm.

Additional novel methodologies, including treatment with orally approved FDA approved JAK-STAT inhibitors (2) sirolimus (19-21) or calcineurin inhibitors (12) may serve as a broader opportunity to maintain suppression of inflammation following acute phase cytokine storm intervention with Basilixamab. One new area of interest is in complement mitigation, and inhibitors (eciluzimab) targeting this more teleologically more primal cascade may have a role (12, 22).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 300
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: mohanakrishnan sathyamoorthy, md; Phone Number: 817423-8585; Email: m.sathyamoorthy@tcu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Subject Inclusion Criteria

1. Patient or legally authorized representative (LAR) willing and able to provide written or electronic or otherwise FDA-acceptable informed consent based on current FDA regulations.
2. Hospitalized male or non-pregnant female
3. RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 using WHO consensus or validated primers

4. Meet the Following Criteria:

   1. Deficiency in Oxygenation as defined by the Berlin ARDS Criteria (27):

      Timing: Within 1 week of onset of symptoms Imaging: Bilateral pulmonary infiltrates

      Oxygenation (any):

      Mild: 200 mmHg < PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 mmHg Moderate: 100 mmHg < PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200 mmHg Severe: PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 100 mmHg and

   2. Requiring oxygen support in the form of High Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, intubation and mechanical ventilation, or initiation of ECMO and

   3. Any one or more of the following:

      1. Elevated CRP (>10 gm/dL)
      2. Elevated Ferritin (>1000)
      3. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio >3.3
5. Patient will receive current clinical standard of care. This includes inpatient use of remdesivir, dexamethasone, convalescent plasma, or pre-hospitalization outpatient treatment with casirivimab and imdevima
6. Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Off label use of other drugs
2. WOCBP unwilling to use acceptable birth control for 5 weeks, or male partner of a WOCBP unwilling to use male barrier method (condom) plus effective second method birth control for partner
3. Pregnant women

4. Pancytopenia

   1. Hgb< 8 g/dL (male) or < 7 g/dL (female)
   2. WBC<2.0 x 109/L
   3. PLT< 50 x 109/L

4) Enrollment in any study using immunomodulatory therapies (monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors etc. to interleukins or interleukin-receptor) 5) Any subjects who have received treatment with immunomodulators or immunosuppressant drugs, including but not limited to IL-6 inhibitors, TNF inhibitors, anti-IL-1 agents, and JAK inhibitors within 5 half-lives or 30 days (whichever is longer) prior to randomization.

6) Known/established systemic bacteremia (empiric antibiotics are allowed), uncontrolled viral infection besides the SARS-CoV-2 study disease, significant abscess in the opinion of the investigator, or any other finding that, in the opinion of the investigator, poses undue risk for treatment with basiliximab.

7) Any patient with multi-organ system failure or on intravenous vasopressor support 8) Do-not-resuscitate status at time of consent, or any contraindication to invasive mechanical ventilation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: QUADRUPLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
PLACEBO_COMPARATOR: Placebo (Current Standard of Care); Current Standard of Care for SARS-CoV2 hypoxemic pulmonary diease	Drug: Placebo; Subjects will be given IV dosing with placebo (1/2 normal saline) up to a maximum of 2 treatments (day 0 and day 4) for all patients on study. Treatment for patients may stop for unacceptable side-effects, the Investigator's, or patient's decision to discontinue treatment or other reasons. Exclusion for second dose is first dose returned patient to SpO2 ≥94% on room air.
EXPERIMENTAL: Basiliximab; Basiliximab in addition to Current Standard of Care for SARS-CoV2 hypoxemic pulmonary diease	Drug: Basiliximab Injection; Subjects will be given IV dosing with basiliximab up to a maximum of 2 treatments (day 0 and day 4) for all patients on study. Treatment for patients may stop for unacceptable side-effects, the Investigator's, or patient's decision to discontinue treatment or other reasons. Exclusion for second dose is first dose returned patient to SpO2 ≥94% on room air.; Other Names: Simulect

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Primary Efficacy Endpoint	1. Proportion of subjects alive and free of ventilator support, defined as intubation and requiring mechanical ventilation, at Day 28 from time of randomization	From time of randomization to Day 28

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Avoidance of escalation of O2 therapy	Avoidance of escalation in oxygen therapy from the time of randomization to Day 28, defined as a binary endpoint, in which an increase from the baseline level of oxygen support to any of the following in the sequence listed below is considered an escalation, allowing for assessment of change in oxygen support at levels less than or greater than intubation and mechanical ventilation. Changes in level of oxygen therapy that occur prior to Day 28 are not accounted for in this endpoint.; Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation; Intubation and mechanical ventilation; Initiation of ECMO, with or without intubation and mechanical ventilation; Death	From time of randomization to Day 28
Overall Survival	Overall survival, defined as proportion of subjects alive at Day 28 from time of randomization	From time of randomization to Day 28
ICU Free Survival	ICU-free survival, defined as proportion of subjects alive and not requiring ICU hospitalization at Day 28 from time of randomization	From time of randomization to Day 28
ECMO Free Survival	ECMO-free survival, defined as proportion of subjects alive and not requiring ECMO support at Day 28 from time of randomization	From time of randomization to Day 28
Overall Survival at 90 days	Overall survival, defined by time to event analysis at Day 90	From time of randomization to Day 90
Ventilator-free survival at 90 days	Ventilator-free survival, defined by time to event analysis at Day 90	From time of randomization to Day 90

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
ICU length of stay	Exploratory	From time of randomization to Day 90
Hospital length of stay	Exploratory	From time of randomization to Day 90
ICU length of stay + death composite endpoint	Exploratory	From time of randomization to Day 90
Hospital length of stay + death composite endpoint	Exploratory	From time of randomization to Day 90
Improvement in 8-point ordinal scale	Improvement in 8-point ordinal scale	From time of randomization to Day 28
Decline in serum albumin	Decline in serum albumin	From time of randomization to Day 28
proportion alive and free of ventilator support stratified by IV dexamethasone	proportion alive and free of ventilator support stratified by IV dexamethasone	From time of randomization to Day 28

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fort Worth Clinical Sciences Working Group
• Collaborators: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: mohanakrishnan sathyamoorthy, FWCSWG

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ANTICIPATED): October 15, 2021
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): October 15, 2022
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): December 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 18, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 18, 2021
• First Posted (ACTUAL): August 19, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): August 19, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 18, 2021
• Last Verified: August 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Coronavirus Infections; Coronaviridae Infections; Nidovirales Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Pneumonia, Viral; Pneumonia; Lung Diseases; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; Inflammation; Shock; COVID-19; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunologic Factors; Basiliximab
• Other Study ID Numbers: FWCSWG-COVID19-01

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No