Tocilizumab combined with favipiravir in the treatment of COVID-19: A multicenter trial in a small sample size

作者：Hong Zhao, Qi Zhu, Chi Zhang, Jiawen Li, Ming Wei, Yuhong Qin, Guilin Chen, Ke Wang, Junhua Yu, Zhao Wu, Xianxiang Chen, Guiqiang Wang · 发表于：Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 年份：2020 · DOI：10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110825 · 被引用次数：107 · 研究领域：COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies、SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research、Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: Since December 2019, COVID-19 has spread to almost every corner of the world. In theory, tocilizumab and favipiravir are considered to be reliable drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 with elevated IL-6. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab combined with favipiravir in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This was a multicenter trial in adults with COVID-19. Patients were randomly assigned (3:1:1) to a 14-day combination of favipiravir combined with tocilizumab (combination group), favipiravir, and tocilizumab. The primary outcome was the cumulative lung lesion remission rate (lung CT examination indicated absorption of lung inflammation). RESULTS: Between Feb 2 and March 15, 2020, 26 patients were recruited; 14 were randomly assigned to the combination group, 7 were assigned to the favipiravir group and 5 were assigned to the tocilizumab group. The cumulative lung lesion remission rate at day 14 was significantly higher in combination group as compared with favipiravir group (P = 0.019, HR 2.66 95 % CI [1.08-6.53]). And there was also a significant difference between tocilizumab and favipivavir (P = 0.034, HR 3.16, 95 % CI 0.62-16.10). In addition, there was no significant difference between the combination group and the tocilizumab group (P = 0.575, HR 1.28 95 %CI 0.39-4.23). Furthermore, combined therapy can also significantly relieve clinical symptoms and help blood routine to return to normal. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIO...