This protocol will evaluate the efficacy of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) alone or in combination with ruxolitinib in COVID positive patients with PENN grade 2, 3, 4 cytokine release syndrome (CRS). It is hypothesized that dual intervention of acute apheretic depletion of cytokines and concomitant suppression of production will produce superior amelioration of the cytokine load and to help to prevent cytokine load rebound. This protocol is envisioned as a pilot study (n=20) for hypothesis generation for future investigation.

A virally mediated pandemic of 2020 is linked to a novel Beta Coronavirus (COVID-19) sharing subgenus classification with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. The predominant modes of transmission are respiratory aerosolization and contaminated surface contact. COVID-19 infection is characterized by a wide range of severity and disease manifestations from asymptomatic to respiratory and multi organ failure. Definitive treatment is lacking, but there is an increasing awareness of its associated systemic cascade of inflammatory molecules that offers avenues to explore therapeutically.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) offers an immediate and scientifically grounded intervention for the removal of a host of pathogenic antibodies and toxic molecules by centrifugal separation of plasma or plasma membrane filtration. TPE in conjunction with Tocilizumab and steroids has been used successfully in the management of severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T).

Precedence for consideration of TPE in a variety of inflammatory dominant disease states is also well known. Interest in adjuvant treatment for management of sepsis and multi organ dysfunction has been studied. TPE has also been used in three pediatric patients with pH1N1 influenza A acute respiratory failure and hemodynamic shock despite failure of best supportive care. All three survived with "good functional recovery."

Ruxolitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) (JAK/STAT) pathway inhibitor which is FDA approved for polycythemia rubra vera, myelofibrosis and graft versus host disease. A murine model of CRS following CAR-T cellular therapy has been developed showing marked elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha mimicking human CAR-T therapy induced CRS. Ruxolitinib treated mice demonstrated clinical amelioration and decrement in inflammatory cytokines. Incyte Corporation has announced plans to launch a Phase III trial of single agent ruxolitinib for COVID-19 associated cytokine storm.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients positive for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay or alternative accepted methodology
2. PENN class 2,3,4 CRS
3. Respiratory insufficiency with supplemental oxygen to maintain O2 sat greater than 89%
4. Clinically positive imaging by chest x-ray (CXR) or CT scan with evidence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, ground glass opacification or other pattern of consolidation felt likely to be linked to COVID infection or complication thereof
5. Age 12-80 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy
2. Breast feeding
3. Class 3-4 New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure
4. Current use of synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) or IL-6 inhibitors or other immunosuppressive therapies outside of number five below
5. Current use of chronic corticosteroids if in excess of prednisone 10mg per day or equivalent
6. Suspected or confirmed clinically significant bacterial infection
7. History of tuberculosis (TB)
8. History of HIV
9. History of irritable bowel disease (IBD)
10. JAK inhibitor use within last 30 days
11. Creatinine clearance less than 15 ml / min
12. Absolute neutrophil count < 1000
13. Platelet count < 50,000
14. Clinical assessment that the trial could pose unacceptable risk by study participation
15. Current enrollment on another investigational protocol for COVID-19 induced CRS
16. Stage 4 obstructive lung disease with chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring supplemental O2 at baseline, or interstitial lung disease (ILD) with chronic hypoxic respiratory failure requiring supplemental O2 at baseline

All individual participant date (IPD) that underlie results in a publication.

Available April 2021 through December 2021

Data can be requested from the Principal Investigator via email and should include a description of the request and the associated project or use of the data.

Adverse event data collected from date of consent through study day 28

As this was a hospitalized, critically ill patient population, adverse events in this study were defined as events deemed by the investigators to be related to study treatment (TPE and / or ruxolitinib). Adverse events occurring in greater than 5% of patients were reported. All serious adverse events (SAEs) were collected and reported. Patients were assessed daily by the critical care service study investigators.

Pilot study with small sample size. The imbalance between cohorts with respect to previous or concomitant therapy reflects the greater adoption of convalescent plasma and antiviral medication over the time span of the study.