Study abandoned due to drug billing issues

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding tocilizumab to standard of care versus standard of care alone in treating cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. CRS is a potentially serious disorder caused by the release of an excessive amount of substance that is made by cells of the immune system (cytokines) as a response to viral infection. Tocilizumab is used to decrease the body's immune response. Adding tocilizumab to standard of care may work better in treating CRS in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to standard of care alone.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To decrease the length of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) and rate of 30-day mortality from CRS due to SARS-CoV-2.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To decrease the rates of intensive care unit (ICU) transfer. II. To decrease the rate of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). III. To decrease the length of ICU stay. IV. To decrease the rate of tracheostomy. V. Safety and efficacy of tociluzumab. VI. Biomarker assessment for response.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive tocilizumab intravenously (IV) every 12 hours for up to 3 doses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients also receive standard of care.

ARM II: Patients receive standard of care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis with SARS-CoV-2 by the currently available assays (Food and Drug Administration [FDA] approved)

• Should be hospitalized and exhibit at least one of the following predictors of mortality

  • Age >= 65 years
  • Current smoker (smoked >= 100 cigarettes in life and actively smoking)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
  • Chronic renal disease (creatinine of >= 2 mg/dl)
  • Cancer
  • Patients that have C-reactive protein (CRP) >= 10 mg/L
  • D-dimer >= 0.5 mg/L
  • Procalcitonin >= 0.5 mg/L
  • Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >= upper limit of normal (ULN)

• Patients or authorized family member willing to sign informed consent to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or lactating women
• Hypersensitivity to tocilizumab
• Patients or authorized family member unwilling to sign informed consent to participate in this study
• Uncontrolled tuberculosis, or any uncontrolled fungal infection (eg: candidemia)

Results of the trial and not individual patient data will be shared. The study protocol, consent, and investigator's brochure will be available. The statistical plan is incorporated into the protocol, along with inclusion and exclusion criteria.