NCT04389580

Brief Summary

Combination Therapy with Isotretinoin and Tamoxifen expected to provide Complete Protection against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-COV-2 has infected over 2,000,000 people causing over 150,000 deaths.Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 and for which there are currently no approved treatments.The principal investigator reported according to previous research data that combination therapy with Isotretinoin and tamoxifen expected to provide Complete Protection against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, ACE2-expressing cells can act as home cells and are prone to SARS-CoV-2 infection as ACE2 receptor facilitates cellular viral entry and replication. A study demonestrated that patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus may be at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as these patients are often treated with ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II type-I receptor blockers (ARBs), which have been previously suggested to increase ACE2 expression, In another study by Sinha et al who analyzed a publicly available Connectivity Map (CMAP) dataset of pre/post transcriptomic profiles for drug treatment in cell lines for over 20,000 small molecules, isotretinoin was the strongest down-regulator of ACE 2 receptors. On the other hand, they found 6 drugs in CMAP that are currently being investigated in clinical trials for treating COVID-19 (chloroquine, thalidomide, methylprednisolone, losartan, lopinavir and ritonavir, from clinicaltrials.gov), none of which was found to significantly alter ACE2 expression (P\>0.1) Moreover, another study demonstrated that isotretinoin is a Potential papain like protease (PLpro) inhibitors which is a protein encoded by SARS-CoV-2 genes and considered one of the proteins that should be targeted in COVID-19 treatment by performing target-based virtual ligand screening. As Investigators discussed before in their previous clinical trial (NCT04353180) that Isotretinoin is the strongest down-regulator of ACE2. and the principal investigator expects that Isotretinoin can inhibit or downrgulat ACE2 by direct interaction and binding with the transmembrane ACE2, Suggesting its therapeutic potential in preventing the entry of COVID 2019 to the host cell. The second combined drug is tamoxifen, A study demonstrated that tamoxifen causes redistribution of weak base chemotherapeutics from acidic organelles to the nucleus in drug-resistant cells. Agents that disrupt organelle acidification (e.g., monensin, bafilomycin A1) cause a similar redistribution. Measurement of cellular pH in several cell lines reveals that tamoxifen inhibits acidification of endosomes and lysosomes without affecting cytoplasmic pH, Tamoxifen decreased the rate of vesicular transport though the recycling and secretory pathways. Organellar acidification is required for many cellular functions, and its disruption could account for many of the side effects of tamoxifen. A sudy demonstrated that the phagocytosis is inhabited by tamoxifen and chloroquine in retinal epithelial cells and Also, a study demonstrated that Tamoxifen have weak base property and increase endolysosomal pH and alter endosomal dynamics. Importantly, TAM treatment enhanced survival of mice injected with a lethal dose of STx1 or STx2, TAM allowed TAM to increase endolysosomal pH and alter endosomal dynamics. A study demonstrated that Tamoxifen have antimalarial effect via treating mice infected with P. berghei, which show lower levels of parasitaemia and do not develop signs of cerebral malaria, Tamoxifen is found to prevent lung fibrosis and reduce serum TGFβ-1 levels. A study Reported that Tamoxifen have endosomal and lysosomal cysteine proteases inhibitory effect better than chloroquine , Cathepsins are endosomal and lysosomal cysteine proteases that play important roles in protein degradation in various cellular processes including both the endocytic pathway and autophagy. The role of cathepsins in viral infection was first identified by Huang et al and they found that one cysteine proteases inhibitor E64d and a specific cathepsin L inhibitor Z-FY(t-Bu)-DMK are able to block the SARS-CoV infection. A study demonestrated that Cathepsin D was more sensitive to tamoxifen than to chloroquine. Tamoxifen exposures decreased the cathepsin D activity at less than 10 pM concentrations. The effect of chloroquine started at concentration of 15 pM, Finally, the principal investigator expects strong inhibition of COVID-19 by this combination therapy. In addition, Tamoxifen has anti estrogenic effect Therefore the principal investigator expects that Tamoxifen will protect patients with cancer against COVID-19 infection. Keywords: COVID 2019 , Isotretinoin , Tamoxofin, ACE2,.Endosomal and Lysosomal pH.

Trial Health

35
At Risk

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
160

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_2 covid19

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2021

Shorter than P25 for phase_2 covid19

Status
unknown

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 12, 2020

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 15, 2020

Completed
1.3 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2021

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2021

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

July 16, 2021

Status Verified

July 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

1 month

First QC Date

May 12, 2020

Last Update Submit

July 10, 2021

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • lung injury score

    Proportion of lung injury score decreased or increased after treatment

    at 7 days

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Absolute lymphocyte counts

    at day 7 and 14

  • Serum levels of CRP, ESR ,IL-1,IL-6,TNF and Type I interferon

    at day 7 and 14

  • Serum level of COVID19 RNA

    at day 7 and 14

  • All cause mortality rate

    at day 7 and 14

  • Ventilation free days

    at 14 days

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

13 cis retinoic acid doses orally plus Tamoxifen orally

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

80 infected patients will receive tamoxifen 20 mg orally twice daily with a glass of water and after three days of the standard therapy the infected patients will receive 13 cis retinoic acid (0.5 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses orally for 14 days

Drug: Drug: Isotretinoin plus Tamoxifen

13 cis retinoic acid doses Aerosolized plus Tamoxifen orally

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

80 infected patients will receive tamoxifen 20 mg orally twice daily with a glass of water and after three days of tamoxifen therapy the infected patients will receive Aerosolized 13 cis retinoic acid in gradual in 2 divided doses increases froms 0.2 mg/kg/day to 4 mg/kg/day as inhaled 13 cis retinoic acid therapy for 14 days

Drug: Aerosolized Isotretinoin plus Tamoxifen

No Intervention:

NO INTERVENTION

No study treatment Arm No Isotretinoin or Tamoxofien treatment

Interventions

20 mg PO (by mouth) twice daily for 14 days 13 cis retinoic acid (0.5 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses orally for 14 days starting after three days of taking tamoxifen

13 cis retinoic acid doses orally plus Tamoxifen orally

20 mg PO (by mouth) twice daily for 14 days Aerosolized 13 cis retinoic acid in gradual in 2 divided doses increases froms 0.2 mg/kg/day to 4 mg/kg/day as inhaled 13 cis retinoic acid therapy for 14 days starting after three days of taking tamoxifen

13 cis retinoic acid doses Aerosolized plus Tamoxifen orally

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 70 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Adult SARI patients with 2019-ncov infection confirmed by PCR; Absolute value of lymphocytes \< 0. 6x 109/L; Severe respiratory failure within 48 hours and requires admission to ICU. (severe respiratory failure was defined as PaO2/FiO2 \< 200 mmHg and was supported by positive pressure mechanical ventilation (including non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, PEEP\>=5cmH2O))

You may not qualify if:

  • Age \< 18 Pregnant Allergic to experimental drugs and patients have the following conditions:
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Liver disease
  • Renal disease
  • Sjögren syndrome
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation
  • Depressive disorder
  • Body mass index less than 18 points or higher than 25 points
  • Contraindications for hormonal contraception or intrauterine device.
  • Autoimmune diseases A history of organ, bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
  • Patients receiving anti-hcv treatment
  • Permanent blindness in one eye
  • History of iritis, endophthalmitis, scleral inflammation or retinitis 15-90 days of retinal detachment or eye surgery
  • +7 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

COVID-19

Interventions

IsotretinoinTamoxifen

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pneumonia, ViralPneumoniaRespiratory Tract InfectionsInfectionsVirus DiseasesCoronavirus InfectionsCoronaviridae InfectionsNidovirales InfectionsRNA Virus InfectionsLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

RetinoidsCarotenoidsPolyenesAlkenesHydrocarbons, AcyclicHydrocarbonsOrganic ChemicalsCyclohexenesCyclohexanesCycloparaffinsHydrocarbons, AlicyclicHydrocarbons, CyclicTerpenesPigments, BiologicalBiological FactorsStilbenesBenzylidene CompoundsBenzene DerivativesHydrocarbons, Aromatic

Central Study Contacts

M.Sc.Mahmoud Elkazzaz, M.Sc.Biochemistry

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SEQUENTIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 12, 2020

First Posted

May 15, 2020

Study Start

September 1, 2021

Primary Completion

October 1, 2021

Study Completion

December 1, 2021

Last Updated

July 16, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-07