The study aims to prove that plitidepsin could be an efficacious, safe, and well-tolerated therapy for PCC. To this end, we will perform a randomized, double-blind study comparing the clinical and laboratory benefits of plitidepsin vs. placebo in 90 subjects with moderate to severe functional disability. The study consists of an intervention period and a follow-up period, with a total of 135 +/-3 days approximately between both periods. During the intervention period, four treatment cycles will be administered, scheduled every 15 days (every 2 weeks), with intravenous (IV) infusion over three consecutive days. After completing the intervention period, a 90-day (+/-5) follow-up period will be conducted. Subjects in arm A will receive the plitidepsin 1.5 mg/day 1h-IV during the four treatment periods on Days 1 to 3, Days 15 to 17, Days 29 to 31 and Days 43 to 45. Subjects in arm B will receive 1h-IV placebo 1 vial /day during the first two treatment periods and will receive the plitidepsin 1.5 mg/day 1h-IV during the last two treatment periods. Subjects in arm C will receive 1h-IV placebo 1 vial/day during the four treatment periods.
Plitidepsin, a marine-derived cyclic depsipeptide that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication at nanomolar concentrations by targeting the host protein eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A, could be a suitable candidate treatment for "Long COVID" because of a triple mechanism of action; a) it has demonstrated potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 in vitro activity, (b) it has a systemic anti-inflammatory effect, detailed in the text below, and (c) has an anti-herpes antiviral effect, which could provide additional therapeutic benefits to prevent herpesvirus reactivation seen in Long-COVID. An interim analysis will be conducted upon reaching 30% and 50% of recruitment (patients treated with at least one dose and 28 days (+/- 2 days) of FUP)). The first interim analysis will focus exclusively on safety assessment, based on adverse events reported to date. The second interim analysis (50%) will evaluate safety and futility. A blinded safety report will be prepared, summarizing adverse events, and submitted to the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for review and to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the study
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
90
Receive 1.5 mg/day of plitidepsin intravenously (IV) over a 1-hour infusion for 3 consecutive days every 15 days during 4 treatment periods. The participant will receive the following pre-medication before receiving the study treatment: * Palonosetron 0.25 mg IV * Dexchlorpheniramine maleate 5 mg IV (or equivalent to H1 receptor antihistamines) * Famotidine 40 mg oral (60 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion) * Dexamethasone phosphate 8 mg IV (equivalent to 6.6 mg of dexamethasone) Premedication should be completed 20-30 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion.
Receive placebo intravenously (IV) over a 1-hour infusion for 3 consecutive days every 15 days during 4 treatment periods. The participant will receive the following pre-medication before receiving the study treatment: * Palonosetron 0.25 mg IV * Dexchlorpheniramine maleate 5 mg IV (or equivalent to H1 receptor antihistamines) * Famotidine 40 mg oral (60 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion) * Dexamethasone phosphate 8 mg IV (equivalent to 6.6 mg of dexamethasone) Premedication should be completed 20-30 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion.
Receive placebo intravenously (IV) over a 1-hour infusion for 3 consecutive days every 15 days during two treatment periods and receive plitidepsin 1.5mg/day during the last two treatment periods. The participant will receive the following pre-medication before receiving the study treatment: * Palonosetron 0.25 mg IV * Dexchlorpheniramine maleate 5 mg IV (or equivalent to H1 receptor antihistamines) * Famotidine 40 mg oral (60 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion) * Dexamethasone phosphate 8 mg IV (equivalent to 6.6 mg of dexamethasone) Premedication should be completed 20-30 minutes before starting the plitidepsin/placebo infusion.
Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol
Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
RECRUITINGChange in the overall health in patients from each group using patient reported outcomes measurement information system score (PROMIS-29®).
Difference between groups on the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS-29®) score health scale measured by T-Score; Each domain is scored on a 5-point scale, (without any difficulty, with a little difficulty, with some difficulty, with much difficulty, unable to do), in case of the pain domain is on a 10-point scale; from no pain to the worse pain. on day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period\* (after the intervention).
Time frame: On day 90 of follow-up period
To compare the safety/tolerability of Plitidepsin Vs placebo in terms of adverse events in patients with PCC.
The proportion of adverse events (AE, coded by MedDRA) comparing between groups at day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, considering: 1. All AEs. 2. AEs grade 3 and 4 leading to discontinuation from the study. 3. AEs of special interest (AESI): cardiac, liver, acute-infusional reactions.
Time frame: On day 90 of follow-up period
To compare the incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs) between groups.
Percentage of TEAEs detected on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare changes in the overall health in patients from each group using patient reported outcomes measurement information system score (PROMIS-29®).
Difference between groups on the PROMIS-29® health scale measured by T-Score on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. Each domain is scored on a 5-point scale, (without any difficulty, with a little difficulty, with some difficulty, with much difficulty, unable to do), in case of the pain domain is on a 10-point scale; from no pain to the worse pain. on day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period\* (after the intervention).
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare functional capacity changes in patients from each group using the post-COVID-19 Functional State (PCFS) scale.
Difference between groups in functional capacity on the PCFS scale on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare symptomatic changes in patients from each group using the Can Ruti Questionnaire.
Proportion of subjects with ≥10 points reduction in the Can Ruti Questionnaire scale on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare changes in terms of Quality of Life (QoL) for each group.
Difference between groups according to the EuroQoL-5D questionnaire on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare neuropsychological symptomatology [psychomotor speed and executive function] in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline\*\* in neuropsychological symptoms to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, measured using NeuScreen questionnaire to evaluate the psychomotor speed and executive function measured in seconds.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare neuropsychological symptomatology [depressive symptoms] in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline\*\* in neuropsychological symptoms to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, using the PHQ-9 score questionnaire to evaluate the depressive symptoms, each question is scored on a 4-point scale, where (0) is the most positive answe and (3) is the worse condition.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare neuropsychological symptomatology [ anxiety symptoms] in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline\*\* in neuropsychological symptoms to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, using the GAD-7 questionnaire to evaluate anxiety symptoms; Each question is scored as follows: 0 points: "Not at all", 1 point: "Several days", 2 points: "More than half the days", 3 points: "Nearly every day"
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare neuropsychological symptomatology [sleep quality] in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline\*\* in neuropsychological symptoms to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, measured using PSQI to evaluate sleep quality; the scores for the seven components are then summed to yield a global PSQI score, which ranges from 0 to 21. A global score greater than 5 suggests poor sleep quality.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare neuropsychological symptomatology [disability] in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline\*\* in neuropsychological symptoms to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, using WHODAS 2.0 questionnaire to evaluate disability: Each item is scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater difficulty in functioning. The total score is calculated by summing the scores for all items, and it can be converted into a standardized score ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate greater disability.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare changes in terms of physical activity in patients with PCC among the three arms.
Change from baseline in physical activity to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare changes in terms of fatigue (Fatigue scale) in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in physical activity to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS): nine statements, of 7-point Likert scale, where (1- Strongly disagree) and (7-Strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater fatigue severity.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare changes in terms of fatigue (Five times sit to stant test) in patients with PCC among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in physical activity to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period, evaluated using Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSTS), The score is the total time in seconds
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare the evolution of inflammation markers in patients with PCC among the three arms.
Change from baseline in inflammation markers on day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare immune response markers: Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in patients with persistent COVID among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. measured in UI/mL.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare immune response markers: antiphospholipid antibodies (Abs) in patients with persistent COVID among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in antiphospholipid antibodies (Abs),) to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. measured in UI/mL.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare immune response markers: antimitochondrial antibodies in patients with persistent COVID among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in antimitochondrial antibodies to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. measured in UI/mL.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare the SARS-CoV-2 RNA antigenemia (presence of viral components) in plasma with persistent COVID among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in viral components (SARS-CoV-2 RNA antigenemia) in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA is quantified in pg/mL.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in Complement Activitation: Hemolytic Complement CH50 in patients with persistent COVID among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in Complement Activity: Hemolytic Complement CH50 to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. measured in UI/mL.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (prothrombin time (PT)), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in prothrombin time (PT) ratio in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) in seconds, in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (D-Dimer), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in D-Dimer measured in ng/mL, in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (Fibrinogen), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in Fibrinogen measured in mg/dL, in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (Antithrombin III (ATIII)), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in Antithrombin III (ATIII) measured in %, in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in thromboinflammatory components (Factor de Von willebrand), among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in Factor de Von Willebrand measured in %, in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in hormonal components (Serotonin) among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in serotonin (UI) in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period.
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
To compare alterations in hormonal components (Dopamine) among the three treatment arms.
Change from baseline in dopamine alterations in plasma to day 10 (±2), day 30 (±2), and day 90 (±5) of the follow-up period. measured in ug/24 h
Time frame: On day 10, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up period
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