The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus found in human in 2019, which causes epidemic worldwide. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with severe COVID-19. Pulmonary edema is the key detrimental feature of ALI/ARDS. Autopsy of patients died from COVID-19 reported that, pulmonary mucus exudation was more severe and obvious than SARS infection. Pulmonary CT scanning and pathological findings also suggest that pulmonary edema caused by inflammatory exudation is a distinguished feature of COVID-19. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), also known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is known as the most potent factor to increase vascular permeability, with the induction effect 50,000 times stronger than histamine. Bevacizumab is an anti-VEGF recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody, which has been used in anti-tumor treatment since 2004, with considerable reliability and clinical safety. This trial will provide high level evidence to answer whether bevacizumab is efficacy and safe medication for patients with severe COVID-19.
Evident increase of VEGF levels in serum has been displayed on novel pneumonia patients. The investigators also conducted a pilot study of 93 patients with severe COVID-19 that confirmed the significantly elevated level of plasma and serum VEGF. At the beginning of 2020, the investigators proposed the concept of using anti-VEGF treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 and conducted a pilot study (NCT04275414). Among the 27 enrolled participants treated with bevacizumab, it was found that the clinical recovery status, PaO2/FiO2, and pulmonary exudation on imaging were significantly improved than the external controls in the same center during the same period. This provides good preliminary basis for this RCT.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
588
Bevacizumab (7.5mg/kg BW) + Saline (100ml) Bevacizumab will be administered in a single dose with no less than 90 minutes of intravenous infusion under ECG monitoring.
Placebo (7.5mg/kg BW) + Saline (100ml) The placebo drug will be administered in a single dose with no less than 90 minutes of intravenous infusion under ECG monitoring.
Standard care, including prophylactic doses of low molecular weight heparin or unfractionated heparin without contraindications, and therapeutic doses of anticoagulants with the evidence of thrombosis risk or occurrence.
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Jinan, Shandong, China
RECRUITINGThe time from randomization to clinical improvement
The time from randomization to an improvement of two points (from the status at randomization) on a seven-category ordinal scale or live discharge from the hospital, whichever comes first.
Time frame: 28 days
Intubation rate
Intubation rate
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of discharge, up to 28 days
Duration of mechanical ventilation (days)
Days of mechanical ventilation
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of discharge, up to 28 days
Duration of non-invasive ventilator or nasal high flow oxygen inhalation
Days of non-invasive ventilator or nasal high flow oxygen inhalation
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of discharge, up to 28 days
All-cause mortality
All-cause mortality
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of discharge, up to 60 days
Time to reach level 1 on the seven-category ordinal scale
Days from randomization to the clinical status of reaching level 1 on the seven--category ordinal scale
Time frame: up to 60 days
PaO2/FiO2 level
The ratio of partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspiration O2
Time frame: day 1, day 3, day 7 and day 14 after randomization, or before discharge
Improvement of pulmonary lesions
The change of volumes of pulmonary exudation shown on CT compared to baseline
Time frame: day 7 and day 14 after randomization, or before discharge
Improvement of lymphocyte count
The change of the level of lymphocyte count compared to baseline
Time frame: day 7 and day 14 after randomization, or before discharge
Improvement of CRP
The change of the level of C-reactive protein compared to baseline
Time frame: day 7 and day 14 after randomization, or before discharge
Improvement of LDH
The change of the level of lactate dehydrogenase compared to baseline
Time frame: day 7 and day 14 after randomization, or before discharge
SAE, AE
Serious adverse event, adverse event
Time frame: From date of randomization until the date of discharge, up to 28 days
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