Early outcomes of tocilizumab in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19 - The Vall d’Hebron COVID-19 prospective cohort study

  1. Adrián Sánchez-Montalvá
  2. Júlia Sellarés-Nadal
  3. Juan Espinosa-Pereiro
  4. Nuria Fernández-Hidalgo
  5. Santiago Pérez-Hoyos
  6. Fernando Salvador
  7. Xavier Durà
  8. Marta Miarons
  9. Andrés Antón
  10. Simeón Eremiev-Eremiev
  11. Abiu Sempere-González
  12. Arnau Monforte-Pallarés
  13. Pau Bosch-Nicolau
  14. Salvador Augustin
  15. Júlia Sampol
  16. Alfredo Guillén-del-Castillo
  17. Benito Almirante
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Abstract

Background

Modulation of the immune system to prevent lung injury is being widely used against the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) despite the scarcity of evidence.

Methods

We report the preliminary results from the Vall d’Hebron prospective cohort study at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, in Barcelona (Spain), including all consecutive patients who had a confirmed infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and who were treated with tocilizumab until March 25 th . The primary endpoint was mortality at 7 days after tocilizumab administration. Secondary endpoints were admission to the intensive care unit, development of ARDS and respiratory insufficiency among others.

Results

82 patients with COVID-19 received at least one dose of tocilizumab. The mean (± SD) age was 59.1 (19.8) years, 63% were male, 22% were of non-Spanish ancestry, and the median (IQR) age-adjusted Charlson index at baseline was 3 (1-4) points. Respiratory failure and ARDS developed in 62 (75.6%) and 45 (54.9%) patients, respectively. Median time from symptom onset to ARDS development was 8 (5-11) days. The median time from symptom onset to the first dose of tocilizumab was 9 (7-11) days. Mortality at 7 days was 26.8%. Hazard ratio for mortality was 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.5 (age-adjusted hazard ratio for mortality 2.1; 95% CI, 0.8 to 5.8) if tocilizumab was administered after the onset of ARDS.

Conclusion

Time from lung injury onset to tocilizumab administration may be critical to patient recovery. Our preliminary data could inform bedside decisions until more data from clinical trials becomes available.

Summary of the article’s main point

In patient with COVID-19 and lung injury, time from lung injury onset to tocilizumab administration may be critical to patient recovery. Early administration of host-directed therapies may improve patient outcome.

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