I-SPY COVID-19 (NCT04488081) is a phase 2, multi-centre, open-label, platform clinical trial designed by Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative™ to rapidly evaluate repurposed and investigational agents in critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. In this interview, we speak with Prof. Angela Haczku (University of California at Davis, CA, USA), one of the study investigators for the cyclosporine arm of the study. Cyclosporine is a frequently prescribed immunosuppressant that was hypothesized to be of potential benefit in critically ill patients with COVID-19 due to its possible ability to suppress the ‘cytokine storm’ and hence reduce the chance of COVID-19-related lung injury. However, the testing of cyclosporine in I-SPY COVID-19 was recently discontinued when the drug failed to meet the pre-defined primary outcome criteria. In this interview, we discuss the trial and its results in more detail.
Questions:
- What is the rationale for the use of cyclosporine in patients hospitalized with COVID-19? (0:17)
- What were the aims and design of the I-SPY COVID trial? (0:58)
- Why was the cyclosporine arm terminated? (3:05)
- What factors might have contributed to this disappointing finding, and what questions remain unanswered? (4:14)
- What are the future goals for the I-SPY study? (6:36)
Disclosures: Angela Haczku has nothing to disclose in relation to this video interview.
Support: Interview and filming supported by Touch Medical Media. Interview conducted by Katey Gabrysch.
