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- Title
Eculizumab treatment in patients with COVID-19: preliminary results from real life ASL Napoli 2 Nord experience.
- Authors
DIURNO, F.; NUMIS, F. G.; PORTA, G.; CIRILLO, F.; MADDALUNO, S.; RAGOZZINO, A.; DE NEGRI, P.; DI GENNARO, C.; PAGANO, A.; ALLEGORICO, E.; BRESSY, L.; BOSSO, G.; FERRARA, A.; SERRA, C.; MONTISCI, A.; D'AMICO, M.; LO MORELLO, S. SCHIANO; DI COSTANZO, G.; TUCCI, A. G.; MARCHETTI, P.
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)-related pneumonia, referred to as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 19), is a public health emergency as it carries high morbidity, mortality, and has no approved specific pharmacological treatments. In this case series, we aimed to report preliminary data obtained with anti-complement C5 therapy with eculizumab in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of ASL Napoli 2 Nord. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a case series of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection and severe pneumonia or ARDS who were treated with up to 4 infusions of eculizumab as an off-label agent. Patients were also treated with anticoagulant therapy with Enoxaparin 4000 IU/day via subcutaneous injection, antiviral therapy with Lopinavir 800 mg/day + Ritonavir 200 mg/day, hydroxychloroquine 400 mg/ day, ceftriaxone 2 g/day IV, vitamine C 6 g/day for 4 days, and were on Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV). RESULTS: We treated four COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit because of severe pneumonia or ARDS. All patients successfully recovered after treatment with eculizumab. Eculizumab induced a drop in inflammatory markers. Mean C Reactive Protein levels dropped from 14.6 mg/dl to 3.5 mg/dl and the mean duration of the disease was 12.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab has the potential to be a key player in treatment of severe cases of COVID-19. Our results support eculizumab use as an off-label treatment of COVID-19, pending confirmation from the ongoing SOLID-C19 trial.
- Publication
European Review for Medical & Pharmacological Sciences, 2020, Vol 24, Issue 7, p4040
- ISSN
1128-3602
- Publication type
Academic Journal