Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib to Treat COVID-19 Pneumonia

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of the drug ruxolitinib in people diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia by determining the number of people whose conditions worsen (requiring machines to help with breathing or needing supplemental oxygen) while receiving the drug. This is a sub-study of the U-DEPLOY study: UHN Umbrella Trial Defining Coordinated Approach to Pandemic Trials of COVID-19 and Data Harmonization to Accelerate Discovery. U-DEPLOY helps to facilitate timely conduct of studies across the University Health Network and other centers.

Multifocal interstitial pneumonia is the most common cause of deterioration in people with COVID-19. This is attributed to a severe reaction where releases too many cytokines (proteins that play an important role in immune responses) which rush into the lungs resulting in lung inflammation and fluid buildup. This can lead to damage to the lungs and leading to breathing problems. Ruxolitinib when given early in the disease, may prevent the overproduction of cytokines which, in turn, may prevent lung damage.

Conditions