Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Alone or in Combination With Ruxolitinib in COVID-19 Associated CRS

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

• Patients positive for COVID-19 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay or alternative accepted methodology
• PENN class 2,3,4 CRS
• Respiratory insufficiency with supplemental oxygen to maintain O2 sat greater than 89%
• 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
• Age 12-80 years of age

Exclusion criteria

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