Hydroxychloroquine in Combination With Sirolimus and Dexamethasone for Treating COVID-19 Patients

COVID-19 caused an unprecedented international crisis. There is an urgent need for an effective regimen to cure this illness. Anecdotal data and some prospective results suggested a role of antimalarial drugs (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine) in the treatment of this disease with best available data showing value of adding azithromycin. Based on drug repurposing studies done by our team and others, we identified the autophagy/apoptosis pathway as a major target for intervention. Based on in-silico and in-vitro models, sirolimus was identified as the drug that deserves urgent prioritization. The rational for combining sirolimus and hydroxychloroquine is explained in details in the study background below and a short video prepared by study PI (https://youtu.be/-zlOMXJp2hg). The evidence for using sirolimus for influenza is emphasized by a RCT that showed reduction of mechanical ventilation time by 50% (7 days on sirolimus arm vs 15 days on oseltamivir/steroids arm). Safe administration in human subjects is illustrated by multiple phase I/II clinical trials, performed in patients with cancer. COVID19-HOPE trial will randomize patients to 2 arms: HCQ/AZ (Arm A) and HCQ/SIR (Arm B). The main inclusion criteria is an RT-PCR test confirming infection with SARS-CoV-2 along with objective clinical criteria of disease (fever, tachypnea and/or hypoxemia). The primary endpoint of study will be Time To Clinical Improvement (TTCI), defined as time from randomization to resolution of the clinical features mentioned above (no fever, no tachypnea and no hypoxemia). In addition, secondary endpoints will include clinical failure by day 28 (need for intubation and/or death), QT interval prolongation, and adverse events. The estimated NNT based on Wilcoxon Mann Whitney comparison of TTCI in study arms is 58 patients (29 each arm). The study includes an adaptive plan, meaning that after different time points the study results will be evaluated and the NNT and randomization scheme (1:1 vs. others) will be evaluated and submitted to the IRB. Also, if one arm proves to be of no value, another regimen might be introduced based on available data. The study will recruit patients for a year and once approved by IRB and JFDA attempts to recruit other centers will be made (including national and regional centers).


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and non-pregnant female patients 18 years of age or older
* Positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2.
* Fever (oral T≥39 C within 24 hours of enrollment), Tachypnea (resting respiratory rate ≥ 28/min) and/or Oxygen saturation (Sao2) ≤ 93% on room air.
* Ability to read, understand and sign IRB approved informed consent
* Patients on HCQ or HCQ/AZ already are eligible for randomization.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Weight \< 40 kg.
* Pregnant (positive β-human chorionic gonadotropin test, β-HCG) or lactating female at the screening.
* Subjects with a history of retinopathy, sickle cell disease or trait, psoriasis, porphyria, history of splenectomy, mental illness or uncontrolled seizures disorder, liver cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease or need for renal replacement therapy, Decompensated heart failure, known active tuberculosis or history of incompletely treated tuberculosis, uncontrolled systemic bacterial or fungal infections, active viral infection other than COVID-19, Patients on chronic immunosuppression for other medical conditions such as rheumatological disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, or in patients with organ transplants.
* Allergy to any of the study medications.
* Drug-Drug interaction (after consulting with study PI). For example:

  * Drugs that may interact and alter HCQ level: ampicillin, cimetidine, digoxin, statins, cyclosporine, warfarin, fluconazole, within 2 weeks of dosing start, and during the duration of the study.
  * Drugs that may interact and alter SIR level: rifampicin, azole antifungals, phenytoin, diltiazem, verapamil, nicardipine, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, within 2 weeks of dosing start, and during the duration of the study.
* Any abnormal baseline laboratory screening tests listed below (Exceptions by study PI may apply if reason explained)
* Liver Child-Pugh grade C (table is included in the study)
* Creatinine \>1.5 mg/dl.
* Hemoglobin for males \<12 g/dl and females \<10 g/dl.
* Platelet count of \<100 X 103/L.
* Cardiac assessment:
* Patients with baseline corrected QT \>450 msec.
* Patients with decompensated heart failure or acute myocardial infarction within the past 30 days of infection.
* Patients with HypoKalemia (\<3.5 mg/dl), HypoCalcemia (\<8.0 mg/dl), HypoMagnesemia (\<1.6mg/dl) will be included after correction.
* Advanced respiratory support (high flow oxygen ≥ 15 L/min, CPAP, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation)
* Any other significant finding based on the judgment of the PI would increase the risk of having an adverse outcome from participating in this study.
* Patients that lack decision-making capacity will not be approached to participate in this study