Interferon Lambda for Immediate Antiviral Therapy at Diagnosis in COVID-19

NCT ID: NCT04354259

Last Updated: 2023-12-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

157 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-05-13

Study Completion Date

2022-12-08

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Interferon lambda is one of the main arms of the innate antiviral immune response and is critical for controlling respiratory viral infections in mice. Interferon lambda has a better side effect profile than other interferons because of the limited tissue distribution of its receptor. Peginterferon lambda is a long-acting form that has been studied extensively in human trials in viral hepatitis, confirming its safety. We propose to evaluate peginterferon-lambda in ambulatory and hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

The study uses an adaptive design with initial enrolment in the Ambulatory cohort (Cohort A) followed by a safety assessment before initiation of enrolment in the Hospitalized cohort (Cohort B).

Ambulatory patients (Cohort A) with confirmed COVID-19 deemed well enough for home isolation will be randomized to receive a single subcutaneous injection of Peginterferon lambda 180µg or saline placebo prior to discharge. Patients will be followed remotely with visits for a repeat swab at Day 3 and 7 with the primary endpoint being the proportion positive for SARS-CoV-2 on Day 7.

Safety data will be reviewed by the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee after 50% of the Ambulatory cohort (n=60) has been enrolled. If the committee approves study continuation, enrolment will continue in the Ambulatory cohort (Cohort A) and will begin in the Hospitalized cohort (Cohort B).

Hospitalized patients (Cohort B) with moderate but not severe COVID-19 will be enrolled and randomized to Peginterferon lambda 180µg or saline placebo on Day 0 and 5. The primary endpoint will be clinical outcomes on the WHO ordinal scale. In addition to the primary endpoint on which the study is powered, numerous secondary endpoints will be evaluated. Samples will also be collected for ancillary studies to better understand predictors of disease severity and response to treatment.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Sars-CoV2 Covid-19

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

peginterferon lambda

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Ambulatory Cohort - Treatment

to receive a single dose of peginterferon lambda 180µg SC at baseline (day 0).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Peginterferon Lambda-1A

Intervention Type DRUG

Peginterferon lambda is a covalent conjugate of human recombinant non-pegylated IFN lambda (IFN L) and a 20-kDa linear PEG chain. Peginterferon lambda Injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, ready-to-use solution (0.4 mg/mL) that is clear to opalescent, colorless to pale yellow, and essentially free of particles. Lambda Injection is provided in a 1-mL long Type I glass syringe (0.18 mg/syringe) with a staked 29-gauge, 1/2- inch, thin-walled needle. The syringe has a rigid needle shield and is stoppered with a plunger stopper. Syringes are prefilled with a solution of Peginterferon lambda Injection, mannitol, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, hydrochloric acid, and water for injection; they are intended for a single use at adjustable doses. The syringe is marked with dose indicator lines, which are used as a reference point for administering the correct dose.

Ambulatory Cohort - placebo

Patients in the arm will be given a single injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) solution at baseline (day 0). A plastic 1 mL syringe will be prefilled by the study pharmacy. Each syringe will contain 0.5 mL (0.45 mL to match the volume of the Interferon plus 0.05 mL overfill) to allow for needle priming by the unblinded study nurse.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) solution. A plastic 1 mL syringe will be prefilled by the study pharmacy. Each syringe will contain 0.5 mL (0.45 mL to match the volume of the Interferon plus 0.05 mL overfill) to allow for needle priming by the unblinded study nurse.

Hospitalized Cohort - Treatment

To receive a dose of peginterferon lambda 180µg SC at baseline and a second dose on day 5.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Peginterferon Lambda-1A

Intervention Type DRUG

Peginterferon lambda is a covalent conjugate of human recombinant non-pegylated IFN lambda (IFN L) and a 20-kDa linear PEG chain. Peginterferon lambda Injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, ready-to-use solution (0.4 mg/mL) that is clear to opalescent, colorless to pale yellow, and essentially free of particles. Lambda Injection is provided in a 1-mL long Type I glass syringe (0.18 mg/syringe) with a staked 29-gauge, 1/2- inch, thin-walled needle. The syringe has a rigid needle shield and is stoppered with a plunger stopper. Syringes are prefilled with a solution of Peginterferon lambda Injection, mannitol, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, hydrochloric acid, and water for injection; they are intended for a single use at adjustable doses. The syringe is marked with dose indicator lines, which are used as a reference point for administering the correct dose.

Hospitalized Cohort - placebo

Patients in the arm will be given an injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) solution at baseline (day 0). A plastic 1 mL syringe will be prefilled by the study pharmacy. Each syringe will contain 0.5 mL (0.45 mL to match the volume of the Interferon plus 0.05 mL overfill) to allow for needle priming by the unblinded study nurse. Patients will be administered a second dose of placebo on day 5.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) solution. A plastic 1 mL syringe will be prefilled by the study pharmacy. Each syringe will contain 0.5 mL (0.45 mL to match the volume of the Interferon plus 0.05 mL overfill) to allow for needle priming by the unblinded study nurse.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Peginterferon Lambda-1A

Peginterferon lambda is a covalent conjugate of human recombinant non-pegylated IFN lambda (IFN L) and a 20-kDa linear PEG chain. Peginterferon lambda Injection is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, ready-to-use solution (0.4 mg/mL) that is clear to opalescent, colorless to pale yellow, and essentially free of particles. Lambda Injection is provided in a 1-mL long Type I glass syringe (0.18 mg/syringe) with a staked 29-gauge, 1/2- inch, thin-walled needle. The syringe has a rigid needle shield and is stoppered with a plunger stopper. Syringes are prefilled with a solution of Peginterferon lambda Injection, mannitol, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, hydrochloric acid, and water for injection; they are intended for a single use at adjustable doses. The syringe is marked with dose indicator lines, which are used as a reference point for administering the correct dose.

Intervention Type DRUG

placebo

injection of 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) solution. A plastic 1 mL syringe will be prefilled by the study pharmacy. Each syringe will contain 0.5 mL (0.45 mL to match the volume of the Interferon plus 0.05 mL overfill) to allow for needle priming by the unblinded study nurse.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years.
2. Confirmed COVID-19 infection by PCR within 7 days of symptom onset (fever, respiratory symptoms, sore throat).
3. Discharged to home isolation.
4. Willing and able to sign informed consent.
5. Willing and able to follow-up by daily phone or videoconference.
6. Female patients of childbearing potential and male patients with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate methods of contraception during the study and through 90 days after the last dose of study medication. Female patients of childbearing potential are all those except patients who are surgically sterile, who have medically documented ovarian failure, or who are at least 1 year postmenopausal. Adequate methods of contraception are:

a. For female patients i. Hormonal contraceptives including progestogen injection (eg, Depo-Provera®), combined oral contraceptive pill or vaginal ring for ≥ 3 months before screening AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or ii. Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) in place ≥ 3 months before screening AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or iii. Surgical sterilization of the partner (vasectomy ≥ 1 month before screening) AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or iv. Double-barrier methods (use of condom \[male partner\] with either diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening.

b. For male patients i. Surgical sterilization (vasectomy ≥ 1 month before screening) AND a barrier method (use of condom or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or ii. Consistently and correctly use a condom from screening AND female partner must agree to use a hormonal contraceptive, a nonhormonal nonbarrier method (eg, copper IUD), or a nonhormonal barrier method (eg, diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide).


1. Adult patients over age 18
2. SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive on nasopharyngeal swab/respiratory specimen within 10 days of symptom onset
3. Admitted to hospital for management of COVID-19
4. Willing and able to provide informed consent
5. Female patients of childbearing potential and male patients with partners of childbearing potential must agree to use adequate methods of contraception during the study and through 90 days after the last dose of study medication. Female patients of childbearing potential are all those except patients who are surgically sterile, who have medically documented ovarian failure, or who are at least 1 year postmenopausal. Adequate methods of contraception are:

a. For female patients: i. Hormonal contraceptives including progestogen injection (eg, Depo-Provera®), combined oral contraceptive pill or vaginal ring for ≥ 3 months before screening AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or ii. Intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) in place ≥ 3 months before screening AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or iii. Surgical sterilization of the partner (vasectomy ≥ 1 month before screening) AND a barrier method (use of condom \[male partner\] or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or iv. Double-barrier methods (use of condom \[male partner\] with either diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening.

b. For male patients: i. Surgical sterilization (vasectomy ≥ 1 month before screening) AND a barrier method (use of condom or diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide) from screening, or ii. Consistently and correctly use a condom from screening AND female partner must agree to use a hormonal contraceptive, a nonhormonal nonbarrier method (eg, copper IUD), or a nonhormonal barrier method (eg, diaphragm with spermicide or cervical cap with spermicide).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Requirement for hospital admission
2. Current immunosuppression due to medication (steroids, biologics, chemotherapy) or underlying condition such as organ/bone marrow transplant or untreated HIV or HIV infection with detectable HIV RNA and/or CD4 count of \<500.
3. Pregnancy (or positive urine pregnancy test) or lactating
4. The following pre-existing medical conditions:

1. Known seizure disorder
2. Known retinal disease requiring therapy
3. Known autoimmune condition requiring therapy more intensive than intermittent non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in the prior 6 months (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease)
4. Known history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma associated with functional impairment
5. Known cirrhosis with any history of decompensation (ascites, variceal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy)
6. Known chronic kidney disease with estimated creatinine clearance \< 50 mL/minute or need for dialysis
7. Severe psychiatric disorder - schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression with prior suicidality
8. Any other underlying medical (cardiac, liver, renal, neurological, respiratory) or psychiatric condition that in the view of the investigator would preclude use of peginterferon lambda
5. Advanced cancer or other illness with life expectancy of \< 1 year
6. Known alcohol or drug dependence that in the opinion of the investigator would impair study participation
7. Known prior intolerance to interferon treatment
8. Enrolment in another clinical trial with use of any investigational agent in the prior 30 days
9. Use of off-label therapy for COVID-19

Cohort B - Hospitalized


1. Severity of illness

1. Respiratory failure (requiring\>6L O2 or intubation in the ER)
2. Shock - systolic BP\<90 mmHg or mean arterial BP\<60 mmHg after fluid resuscitation
2. Pregnancy (or positive urine pregnancy test) or lactating
3. The following pre-existing medical conditions:

1. Known seizure disorder
2. Known retinal disease requiring therapy
3. Known autoimmune condition requiring therapy more intensive than intermittent non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in the prior 6 months (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease)
4. Known cirrhosis with any history of decompensation (ascites, variceal bleeding or hepatic encephalopathy)
5. Known chronic kidney disease with estimated creatinine clearance \< 30 mL/minute or need for dialysis
6. Severe psychiatric disorder - uncontrolled schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression with prior suicidality
7. Any other underlying medical (cardiac, liver, renal, neurological, respiratory) or psychiatric condition that in the view of the investigator would preclude use of peginterferon lambda
4. Known prior intolerance to interferon treatment
5. Enrolment in another clinical trial with use of an antiviral agent in the prior 30 days (co-enrollment with immunomodulatory agents permitted)
6. Use of off-label therapy for COVID-19
7. Any of the following abnormal laboratory indices

1. Hemoglobin \< 100 mg/dL
2. Platelet count \< 75,000 cells/mm3
3. Absolute neutrophil count \< 1,000 cells/mm3
4. Estimated creatinine clearance \< 30 cc/mL
5. Total bilirubin \> 2x upper limit of normal (ULN)
6. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 5x ULN
7. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 5x ULN
8. Lipase or amylase \> 2x ULN
9. Random blood glucose \> 20 mmol/L
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

Michael Garron Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

University Health Network, Toronto

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Jordan Feld, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Health Network, Toronto

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu

Botucatu, , Brazil

Site Status

Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz

São Paulo, , Brazil

Site Status

Hospital das Clínicas São Paulo

São Paulo, , Brazil

Site Status

University of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Site Status

Michael Garron Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

University Health Network

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Brazil Canada

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Feld JJ, Kandel C, Biondi MJ, Kozak RA, Zahoor MA, Lemieux C, Borgia SM, Boggild AK, Powis J, McCready J, Tan DHS, Chan T, Coburn B, Kumar D, Humar A, Chan A, O'Neil B, Noureldin S, Booth J, Hong R, Smookler D, Aleyadeh W, Patel A, Barber B, Casey J, Hiebert R, Mistry H, Choong I, Hislop C, Santer DM, Lorne Tyrrell D, Glenn JS, Gehring AJ, Janssen HLA, Hansen BE. Peginterferon lambda for the treatment of outpatients with COVID-19: a phase 2, placebo-controlled randomised trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2021 May;9(5):498-510. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30566-X. Epub 2021 Feb 5.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33556319 (View on PubMed)

Lee JS, Shin EC. The type I interferon response in COVID-19: implications for treatment. Nat Rev Immunol. 2020 Oct;20(10):585-586. doi: 10.1038/s41577-020-00429-3.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 32788708 (View on PubMed)

Moschen AR. IBD in the time of corona - vigilance for immune-mediated diseases. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020 Sep;17(9):529-530. doi: 10.1038/s41575-020-0333-5.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 32555385 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Download supplemental materials such as informed consent forms, study protocols, or participant manuals.

Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

20-5334

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id