Tocilizumab Versus Methylprednisolone in the Cytokine Release Syndrome of Patients With COVID-19

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab Versus Methylprednisolone in the Cytokine Release Syndrome of Patients With COVID-19. A Prospective Randomized Controlled Phase II Trial

This study compare the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab versus methylprednisolone in the cytokine release syndrome of patients with COVID-19

In December 2019, several patients were diagnosed with pneumonia of undefined etiology in Wuhan, China. A few days later, a virus was identified as the etiologic agent. It was a new beta coronavirus that received the name of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coroinavirus (SARS-COV-2). The disease quickly spread to the Wuhan region and in March reached northern Italy and soon across Europe. On March 14, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 had acquired seriousness and spread to be defined as a pandemic. Since then, COVID-19 has challenged the ability of rich countries to meet the demand for beds, especially ICU beds, and it has also challenged science in search of effective treatment, while in record time research centers begins testing with a vaccine. Although a significant percentage of patients with COVID-19 have a benign evolution, around 20% of cases the disease acquires sufficient severity from the point of view of lung involvement to justify treatment in the ICU. In addition, around 5% of patients evolve with extremely serious forms and are associated with a lethality of up to 60%. Some of these patients demonstrated in studies alterations in cellular and humoral immunity compatible with the cytokine release syndrome, an entity that has been described complicating the use of antineoplastic drugs and viral infections. At this moment several studies, some of them with conclusions already seek to identify effective forms of treatment. Antiviral drugs such as Lopinavir-Ritonavir, which has already been tested in a prospective randomized study and has not been shown to be effective. The antiviral rendecivir was tested in a preliminary study brought a positive expectation and the hydroxychloroquine in studies with small samples is the drug that currently meets the highest expectations. None of these drugs, however, is effective in the case of the group of patients who acquire severity as a result of what has been called a cytokine storm. In this case, expectations are turned to interleukin antagonists and corticosteroids. Among the interleukin antagonists the drug that meets the most expectations is Tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 antagonist that has proven efficacy in the cytokine release syndrome caused by antineoplastic drugs. There are currently ongoing studies analyzing the role of tocilizumab and, at the same time, and along the same line, corticosteroids are being tested. There is currently no prospective randomized study examining the role of tocilizumab. Regarding corticosteroids, the only evidence comes from a retrospective study involving 201 patients with COVID pneumonia 19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study showed an association between corticosteroids and reduced risk of death (HR 0.38; p = 0.003).

Patients will receive Tocilizumab, 8 mg / kg diluted in 100 ml of saline and administered IV for 60 minutes. The dose will be repeated only once 12 hours after the first dose.

Patients will receive methylprednisolone at a dose of 1.5 mg / kg / day divided into 2 daily doses for 7 days. Then they will receive 1 mg / kg / day for another 7 days in two daily doses. Finally 0.5 mg / kg / day for another 7 days.

Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg diluted in 100 ml of saline administered in 60 minutes. The dose will be repeated after 12 hours.

Patients will receive methylprednisolone at a dose of 1.5 mg / kg / day divided into 2 daily doses for 7 days. Then they will receive 1 mg / kg / day for another 7 days. Finally 0.5 mg / kg / day until 21 days of use

A seven-category ordinal scale consisting of: 1) Death; 2) Hospitalized, on invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO); 3) Hospitalized, on non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen devices; 4) Hospitalized, requiring supplemental oxygen; 5) Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen - requiring ongoing medical care (COVID-19 related or otherwise); 6) Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen - no longer requires ongoing medical care; 7) Not hospitalized, limitation on activities and/or requiring home oxygen; 8) Not hospitalized, no limitations on activities.

Inclusion Criteria: Men and non-pregnant women over 18 years old COVID diagnosis confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Pao2 / FIO2 <200 Laboratory: high sensitivity C reactive protein> 5 mg / L; lactic dehydrogenase (LDH ) > 245 U / l; Ferritin> 300; D-dimer> 1500; Interleukin-6> 7.0 pg / ml. Exclusion Criteria: Known sensitivity/Allergy to tocilizumab Active tuberculosis Pregnancy Individuals, in the opinion of the investigators where progression to death is imminent and inevitable in the next 24 hours

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