On March 18th, 2021, we published results of the living systematic review on IL-6 blocking agents which included all preprints and published trials published online up to February 11th, 2021.
Studies included but not extracted/included in the analysis: Ullah S, Medicina (Kaunas), 2022
We updated the the evidence on the effectiveness and safety of IL-6 blocking agents compared to standard care alone or to a placebo for people with COVID-19. On June 1, 2023, an update of the systematic review on IL-6 blocking agents was published. It included all preprints and published trials published online up to June 7, 2022.FOREST PLOTS -2022-11-17
Trial NCT04412772
Publication ARCHITECTS - ARCHITECTS, Unpublished (2021) (unpublished results)
Dates: 2020-06-12 to 2020-08-28
Funding: Public/non profit (Queen's Medical Centre)
Conflict of interest: *
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: double blinding | |
Location :
Single center / USA Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8mg/kg (max 800 mg) IV single dose, may be repeated once |
|
Control
Placebo | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=10 Placebo=11 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 21 Mean age : NR 12 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=0 / Severe: n=1 Critical: n=20 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Clinical status (on a 7-point ordinal scale) at day 28 [ Time Frame: up to day 28 ] Clinical Status 7-point ordinal scale:Not hospitalized, no limitations on activities; Not hospitalized, limitation on activities; Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen; Hospitalized, requiring supplemental oxygen; Hospitalized, on non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen devices; Hospitalized, on invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO; Death | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment | The study is not published yet. Data presented was extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results. |
Trial NCT04577534
Publication COVIDSTORM - Broman N, Clin Microbiol Infect (2022) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-08-12 to 2021-06-16
Funding: No specific funding (No external funding was received
for this study or article.)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Single center / Finland Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 400 mg for <60 kg, 600 mg for 60 to 90 kg, and 800 mg for >90 kg IV single dose |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=29 Tocilizumab=59 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 88 Mean age : NR 48 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=59 / Severe: n=20 Critical: n=1 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Clinical status at day 28 [ Time Frame: day 28 ](assessed using 7-category ordinal scale) 7 death 6 in ICU with ECMO/ mechanical ventilation 5 in ICU, no ECMO/ mechanical ventilation 4 in hospital, not ICU, needs supplementary oxygen 3 in hospital, not ICU, no supplementary oxygen 2 not in hospital, but not back to normal 1 not in hospital, back to normal | |
In the report The primary endpoint was clinical status at day 28 assessed using a seven-category ordinal scale, where 1 is at home, normal daily activities; 2 is at home, assistance needed; 3 is hospitalized, no supplemental oxygen; 4 is hospitalized (non-ICU), receiving supplemental oxygen; 5 is in ICU, no invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV); 6 is in ICU receiving IMV and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; and 7 is dead. | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
Data presented was originally extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518.
On April 14, 2022, the extraction and risk of bias assessments were updated with information from the published article. There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments. The registry primary outcome reflects the reported primary outcome. Of note: the outcomes Mortality (D60 or more) and Time to death were not reported in the 2022 publication and thus are the original extractions from The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. Furthermore, we extracted data reported as severe adverse events in the published report under our serious adverse events outcome. |
Trial NCT04479358
Publication COVIDOSE-2 - COVIDOSE-2, Unpublished (2021) (unpublished results)
Dates: 2020-09-10 to 2021-01-31
Funding: Public/non profit (University of Chicago )
Conflict of interest: *
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / USA Follow-up duration (days): 28 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 40mg or 120mg single dose |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=20 Standard care=8 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 28 Mean age : NR 19 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=* / Severe: n=* Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Time to Recovery [ Time Frame: 28 days ] | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment | The study is not published yet. Data presented was extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results. |
Trial NCT04435717
Publication COVITOZ-01 - COVITOZ-01, Unpublished (2021) (unpublished results)
Dates: 2020-05-04 to 2020-10-21
Funding: Public/non profit (Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal)
Conflict of interest: *
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Single center / Spain Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8mg/kg (max 800mg) IV single dose OR two doses |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=9 Tocilizumab=17 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 26 Mean age : NR 17 males Severity : Mild: n=9 / Moderate: n=* / Severe: n=* Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Change in IL-12 values in the 3 study groups from the start of treatment (D0) and on days D + 1 and D + 3. | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment |
The study is not yet published. Data presented was extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results.
COVITOZ-01 study was terminated for futility reasons with actual enrollment (26/78) being 33% of the planned sample size. |
Trial NCT04330638; EudraCT2020-001500-41
Publication COV-AID - Declercq J, Lancet Respir Med (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-04 to 2020-12-06
Funding: Public/non profit (Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center; VIB Grand Challenges (Flemish Institute for Biotechnology))
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Belgium Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Anakinra 100 mg once daily subcutaneously for 28 days or until hospital discharge Anakinra+Tocilizumab Anakinra 100 mg once daily subcutaneously for 28 days or until hospital discharge + Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV single dose (not exceeding 800 mg) Anakinra+Siltuximab Anakinra 100 mg once daily subcutaneously for 28 days or until hospital discharge + Siltuximab 11 mg/kg IV single dose Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV single dose (not exceeding 800 mg) Siltuximab 11 mg/kg IV single dose |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Anakinra =43 Anakinra+Tocilizumab=32 Anakinra+Siltuximab=37 Tocilizumab=82 Siltuximab=76 Standard care=72 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 342 Mean age : NR 90 males Severity : Mild: n=1 / Moderate: n=58 / Severe: n=39 Critical: n=17 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Time to Clinical Improvement [Time Frame: at day 15]: defined as the time from randomization to either an improvement of two points on a six-category ordinal scale or discharge from the hospital: a) Death; b) Hospitalized, on invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO; c) Hospitalized, on non-invasive ventilation or high flow oxygen devices; d) Hospitalized, requiring supplemental oxygen; e) Hospitalized, not requiring supplemental oxygen; f) Not hospitalized. | |
In the report time to clinical improvement, defined as the time in days from randomisation until either an increase of at least two points on a 6-category ordinal scale (compared with the worst status at day of randomisation) or to discharge from the hospital alive, whichever occurred first. The 6-category ordinal scale was defined as 1=death; 2=hospitalised, on invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; 3=hospitalised, on non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen devices; 4=hospitalised, requiring supplemental oxygen; 5=hospitalised, not requiring supplemental oxygen; 6=not hospitalised. | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the published article, the study registry, supplementary material, protocol and statistical analysis plan were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499-518 was also available.
The study achieved the target sample size specified in the trial registry. There are no important changes from the trial registration in the primary outcome, procedures, intervention and control treatments. Total adverse events were not reported (but this had been pre-specified). 11% were critical at study start. Overall median age was 65 years (IQR 54–73) and 77% were male. Data presented for the outcomes mortality (D28), time to death, score 7 and above (D28), serious adverse events and clinical improvement (D28) (this last only for Tocilizumab and Siltuximab) were extracted from The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499 518. The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results. |
Trial NCT02735707
Publication REMAP-CAP - Derde L, medRxiv (2021) (preprint)
Dates: 2020-03-25 to 2021-04-10
Funding: Mixed (PREPARE consortium by the European Union; FP7-HEALTH-2013-INNOVATION-1; RECOVER consortium by the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program; Australian National Health and Medical Research Council; Health Research Council of New Zealand; Canadian Institute of Health Research Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Innovative Clinical Trials Program Grant; UK NIHR; NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre; Health Research Board of Ireland; UPMC Learning While Doing Program; Translational Breast Cancer Research Consortium; Global Coalition for Adaptive Research; French Ministry of Health; Minderoo Foundation; Wellcome Trust Innovations Project; Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development ZonMw; NIHR Research Professorship; NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship; Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship; Roche Products Ltd; Sanofi (Aventis Pharma Ltd); Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (Sobi); Faron Pharmaceuticals (drug provision in some countries)
)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, Italy, Saudi-Arabia Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Anakinra Initial dose: 300 mg intravenously for the first 24 hours - Maintenance dose: 100 mg intravenously 4 times a day for 14 days or until either free from invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours, or discharge from ICU. Sarilumab 400 mg IV single dose Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV infusio single dose, maximum 800 mg, a second infusion could be administered 12 to 24 hours after the first. |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=418 Anakinra=378 Sarilumab=485 Tocilizumab=972 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 2253 Mean age : NR 1536 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=4 / Severe: n=1482 Critical: n=730 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register All-cause mortality [Time Frame: Day 90]; Days alive and not receiving organ support in ICU [Time Frame: Day 21] | |
In the report An ordinal scale that is a composite of in-hospital mortality and duration of respiratory and cardiovascular organ support, censored at 21 days, where all deaths within hospital and up to day 90 were assigned the worst outcome | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment | In addition to the pre-print version of the article, the study registry and protocol were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The report contains definite results of tocilizumab, sarilumab and anakinra from the Immune Modulation Therapy domain of the REMAP-CAP clinical trial (an international, adaptive platform trial). There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments. The platform initially included only participants admitted to an intensive care unit and receiving respiratory or cardiovascular organ support, a moderate state enrolling hospitalized participants not receiving respiratory or cardiovascular organ support was added subsequently. A blinded International Trial Steering Committee (ITSC) closed all arms of the domain on April 10, 2021. The primary outcome indicated in the registry reflects the primary outcome reported in the paper. Adverse events are not reported. |
Trial NCT02735707
Publication REMAP-CAP - Gordon AC, N Engl J Med (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-19 to 2020-11-19
Funding: Mixed (Multiple funders, internationally, with multiple regional sponsors; Roche
Products Ltd and Sanofi (drug provision in UK))
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, UK Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV infusion single dose over 1 hour, maximum 800 mg, a second infusion could be administered 12 to 24 hours after the first. Sarilumab 400 mg IV infusion single dose |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=366 Sarilumab=48 Standard care=412 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 826 Mean age : NR 583 males Severity : Mild: n=* / Moderate: n=3 / Severe: n=567 Critical: n=233 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register 1. All-cause mortality [ Time Frame: Day 90 ]; 2. Days alive and not receiving organ support in ICU [ Time Frame: Day 21 ] | |
In the report Respiratory and cardiovascular organ support-free days up to day 21 | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the published report, the pre-print article, study registry and protocol were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The report contains early, preliminary results of tocilizumab and sarilumab from the Immune Modulation Therapy domain of the REMAP-CAP clinical trial (an international, adaptive platform trial); further follow-up and analysis are ongoing. As a result, long-term outcomes were not reported.
Quote: "On the basis of an interim analysis as of October 28, the independent data and safety monitoring board reported that tocilizumab had met the statistical criteria for efficacy (posterior probability, 99.75%; odds ratio, 1.87; 95% credible interval, 1.20 to 2.76). According to the protocol, further assignment to control closed on November 19, with randomization continuing between different active immune modulation interventions... After a subsequent interim analysis, the data and safety monitoring board reported that sarilumab had also met the statistical criteria for efficacy, so these results are also reported." There was some discrepancy between the report and the protocol as it pertains to time to death. The protocol pre-specifies this outcome as "ICU mortality censored at 90 days". There were no important changes from the trial registration in the population, intervention, or control treatments. Quote: "Investigators at each site prespecified at least two interventions, one of which had to be control, to which patients would be randomly assigned...Randomization to the Corticosteroid domain for Covid-19 closed on June 17, 2020. Thereafter, glucocorticoids were allowed according to the recommended standard of care." This study was updated on March 1st, 2021 with data from the published report. |
Trial NCT04331808
Publication CORIMUNO-TOCI 1 - Hermine O, JAMA Intern Med (2020) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-03-31 to 2020-04-18
Funding: Public/non profit (This trial was publicly funded (Ministry of Health, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique, Foundation for Medical Research (FRM), AP-HP Foundation and the Reacting program).)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / France Follow-up duration (days): 60 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV single dose. An additional dose of 400 mg IV could be administered 2 days later. Additional dose at physician’s discretion |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=64 Standard care=67 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 131 Mean age : NR 88 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=55 / Severe: n=75 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Survival without needs of ventilator utilization at day 14 ; WHO progression scale <=5 at day 4. | |
In the report The 2 primary outcomes were (1) the proportion of patients dead or needing noninvasive or mechanical ventilation on day 4 (>5 on the WHO-CPS); and (2) survival with no need for noninvasive or mechanical ventilation at day 14. | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the published article, the trial registry, protocol and supplemental materials and the reply provided by authors were used in data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. There were no major differences between trial registry, protocol and published article in procedures and outcomes, and no changes in treatments.
Immunotherapy co-interventions consisted of Anakinra (1 participant in intervention group, 3 in control) and Eculizumab (1 participant in Control). Remdesivir was given to 1 participant in control group. This study was updated on October 23rd 2020, with data received after contact with authors. |
Trial NCT04331808
Publication CORIMUNO-TOCI-2 - Hermine O, Eur Respir J (2022) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-03-30 to 2020-04-20
Funding: Public/non profit (Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / France Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8mg/kg single dose. Second dose of 400mg if decrease of oxygen requirement <50% |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=46 Tocilizumab=51 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 97 Mean age : NR 66 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=0 / Severe: n=25 Critical: n=67 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register 1. Survival without needs of ventilator utilization at day 14. [ Time Frame: 14 days ] Survival without needs of ventilator utilization (including non invasive ventilation and high flow) at day 14. Thus, events considered are needing ventilator utilization (including Non Invasive Ventilation, NIV or high flow), or death. New DNR order (if given after the inclusion of the patient) will be considered as an event at the date of the DNR. 2. WHO progression scale <=5 at day 4 [ Time Frame: 4 days ] Proportion of patients alive without non-invasive ventilation of high low at day 4 (WHO progression scale ≤ 5). A patient with new DNR order at day 4 will be considered as with a score > 5. WHO progression scale: Uninfected; non viral RNA detected: 0 Asymptomatic; viral RNA detected: 1 Symptomatic; Independent: 2 Symptomatic; Assistance needed: 3 Hospitalized; No oxygen therapy: 4 Hospitalized; oxygen by mask or nasal prongs: 5 Hospitalized; oxygen by NIV or High flow: 6 Intubation and Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FIO2>=150 OR SpO2/FIO2>=200: 7 Mechanical ventilation, (pO2/FIO2<150 OR SpO2/FIO2<200) OR vasopressors (norepinephrine >0.3 microg/kg/min): 8 Mechanical ventilation, pO2/FIO2<150 AND vasopressors (norepinephrine >0.3 microg/kg/min), OR Dialysis OR ECMO: 9 Dead: 10 | |
In the report 1)The early co-primary outcome is the proportion of patients with a decrease of WHO score of at least 1 point at day 4. 2) The longer-term co-primary outcome is the cumulative incidence of successful tracheal extubation (defined as duration extubation > 48h) at day 14 if patients have been intubated before day 14 or removal of NIV or high flow (for > 48h) if they were included under oxygen by NIV or High flow (score 6) and remained without intubation. * | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the published article, the study registry was used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment.
Data was extracted from The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518.
The study was updated on March 16th, 2022 with data from the published report. |
Trial NCT04377750
Publication HMO-0224-20 - HMO-0224-20, Unpublished (2021) (unpublished results)
Dates: 2020-04-08 to 2021-02-03
Funding: Public/non profit (Hadassah Medical Organization)
Conflict of interest: *
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Israel Follow-up duration (days): 90 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8mg/kg (max 800mg) IV single dose |
|
Control
Placebo | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Placebo=17 Tocilizumab=37 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 54 Mean age : NR 37 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=0 / Severe: n=21 Critical: n=33 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Survival [ Time Frame: One-month ] | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
High |
General comment | The study is not yet published. Data presented was extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results. |
Trial NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673
Publication RECOVERY (TCZ) - Horby P, Lancet (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-23 to 2021-01-24
Funding: Public/non profit (UK research and Innovation/National Institute for Health Research (NIHR); NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Department for International Development; Health Data Research UK; Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit; NIHR Clinical Trials Unit Support Funding; Abbvie (lopinavir-ritonavir); Roche Products Ltd (tocilizumab); Regeneron (REGEN-480 COV2))
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / UK Follow-up duration (days): 28 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab single IV infusion over 60 minutes: 800 mg if weight >90kg; 600 mg if weight >65 and ≤90 kg; 400 mg if weight >40 and ≤65 kg; 8mg/kg if weight ≤40 kg; a second infusion could be administered 12 to 24 hours after the first |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=2094 Tocilizumab=2022 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 4116 Mean age : NR 2774 males Severity : Mild: n=* / Moderate: n=1868 / Severe: n=1686 Critical: n=562 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register All-cause mortality [Time Frame: Within 28 days after randomisation] | |
In the report 28-day mortality | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication:
|
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment | In addition to the pre-print article, the study registry and protocol were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. This article is a report on the Tocilizumab arm of the ongoing RECOVERY platform study after 28 days with the main analysis planned at 6 months post-randomisation. There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments.The registry primary outcome does reflect the reported primary outcome. On 11th of May, 2021, this study was updated based on the published report. |
Trial NCT04412291, EudraCT 2020-001748-24
Publication IMMCOVA - IMMCOVA, Unpublished (2021) (unpublished results)
Funding: Public/non profit (Karolinska University Hospital)
Conflict of interest: *
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Sweden Follow-up duration (days): 28 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg (max 800mg) IV single dose |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=27 Tocilizumab=22 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 49 Mean age : NR 37 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=0 / Severe: n=49 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Time to recovery [ Time Frame: Day 1 through Day 29 ] | |
In the report NR | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment | The study is not published yet. Data presented was extracted from study registry and The WHO Rapid Evidence Appraisal for COVID-19 Therapies (REACT) Working Group "Association Between Administration of IL-6 Antagonists and Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Meta-analysis." JAMA. 2021;326(6):499–518. ).The authors have been contacted in order to obtain the results. |
Trial NCT04320615
Publication COVACTA - Rosas IO, EClinicalMedicine (2022) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-03 to 2020-05-28
Funding: Mixed (F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: double blinding | |
Location :
Multicenter / Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, USA Follow-up duration (days): 60 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8mg/kg IV infusion, maximum 800 mg.A second infusion could be administered 8 to 24 hours after the first |
|
Control
Placebo | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=301 Placebo=151 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 452 Mean age : NR 306 males Severity : Mild: n=15 / Moderate: n=122 / Severe: n=133 Critical: n=168 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Clinical Status Assessed Using a 7-Category Ordinal Scale [ Time Frame: Day 28 ] | |
In the report Clinical status assessed on a 7-category ordinal scale at day 28 | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to all available versions of the published/pre-print articles, the protocol, statistical analysis plan, study registry and supplementary appendix, as well as responses from contact with authors were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Patients in the Tocilizumab group received a second dose only if their condition did not improve or worsened. The study achieved the target sample size prespecified in the registry. There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments as well as primary outcome. Some secondary outcomes in the registry were not reported in the pre-print article, particularly regarding the 60-day timepoint as well. For safety data, a longer follow up to June 24, 2020 was used. The sponsor (Hoffman-La Roche Ltd.) played a prominent role, with writing support for the authors provided by Sara Duggan, Ph.D., of ApotheCom, funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Three authors were employees of Roche Products Ltd. On December 7th, 2020, we received additional information from authors on this study. This study was updated with data from contact with authors on January 13th, 2021. This study was updated on March 1st, 2021 after the publication of the study report. This study was updated on May 27th, 2022 after a recent publication with longer term follow up outcomes. |
Trial Trial NL8504
Publication Rutgers A, PLoS ONE (2022) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-06 to 2021-01-12
Funding: Mixed (Participating hospitals; Roche (drug supplier))
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / The Netherlands Follow-up duration (days): 30 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV infusion single dose, maximum 800 mg. A second infusion could be administered 8 after the first |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=174 Standard care=180 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 354 Mean age : NR 237 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=257 / Severe: n=82 Critical: n=3 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register 30-day mortality (from randomization) | |
In the report 30-day mortality after randomization, assessed as a time-to-event endpoint | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment | In addition to the pre-print article, the prospective trial registry was used in data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. Neither protocol nor statistical analysis plan was available. The study achieved it target sample size.There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments. The registry primary outcome does reflect the reported primary outcome. Some outcomes in the registry (normalization of HRCT, seroconversion 14 days after randomization) were not reported in the pre-print paper. Some outcomes are reported in the paper, but were not pre-specified in the trial registry (for example time to WHO score 7 and above). Considered an interim analysis since only 30-day outcomes are reported. A 3-month endpoint is included in the registry, which reports study status as recruitment terminated and trial finished. This study was updated on October 5, 2022 with information from the published report. |
Trial NCT04372186
Publication EMPACTA - Salama C, N Engl J Med (2020) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-05-14 to 2020-08-18
Funding: Private (Genentech, Inc.)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: double blinding | |
Location :
Multicenter / Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, USA Follow-up duration (days): 60 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV single dose, maximum 800 mg, a second infusion could be administered 8 to 24 hours after the first one. |
|
Control
Placebo | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=259 Placebo=129 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 388 Mean age : NR 223 males Severity : Mild: n=35 / Moderate: n=242 / Severe: n=100 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Cumulative Proportion of Participants Requiring Mechanical Ventilation by Day 28 [ Time Frame: Up to Day 28 ] | |
In the report Mechanical ventilation (invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) or death by day 28 | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to the published article, the pre-print article, study registry, protocol, statistical analysis plan and supplementary appendix were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The study achieved the target sample size specified in the trial registry. There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments. The registry and protocol version 1 primary outcome (cumulative proportion of mechanical ventilation) does not reflect the primary outcome reported in the paper and and protocol version 2 (cumulative proportion of mechanical ventilation or death). Some secondary outcomes reported in the registry were not reported in the manuscript.
On December 21st,2020, we received additional information from authors on this study, we updated the study results based on authors reply. The study was updated on January 13th, 2021 with data from the New England Journal of Medicine publication. The definition for clinical improvement was 'at least a two-category improvement in clinical status relative to baseline on the seven-category ordinal scale (for patients in category 2 at baseline, those with a clinical status of category 1 were considered to have met the threshold)' and the data now corresponds to this definition. This study was update on May 27th, 2022 with results extracted from the registry. |
Trial NCT04346355
Publication Salvarani C, JAMA (2020) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-03-31 to 2020-06-11
Funding: Mixed (Local resources, the Italian Ministry of Health and Roche)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Italy Follow-up duration (days): 30 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV, maximum 800 mg, followed by a second dose after 12 hours. |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=60 Standard care=66 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 126 Mean age : NR 77 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=0 / Severe: n=126 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Entry into Intensive Care with invasive mechanical ventilation or death from any cause or clinical aggravation [ Time Frame: two weeks from participants' allocation to study arm ] Entry into Intensive Care with invasive mechanical ventilation or deat | |
In the report Clinical worsening within 14 days since randomization, defined by occurrence of 1 of the following events: Admission to ICU with mechanical ventilation; Death ; PaO2/FIO2 ratio >150 mm Hg | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication:
|
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment | In addition to the published article, the trial registries, protocol and supplemental material were used in data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. Data for the outcome Time to clinical improvement were obtained from the Kaplan-Meier curve. The trial was terminated on the decision of the Scientific Committee due to lack of effect and poor enrollment because of the dramatic decrease in the incidence of the disease in Italy at the time. There were some differences between trial registration and published article in inclusion and exclusion criteria. There was no difference in study treatments between trial registration and published article.14 participants in the standard care group crossed over and recieved Tocilizumab after clinical worsening. |
Trial CTRI/2020/05/025369
Publication COVINTOC - Soin AS, Lancet Respir Med (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-05-30 to 2020-08-31
Funding: Mixed (Medanta Institute of Education and Research; Roche India; Cipla India; Action COVID-19 India)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / India Follow-up duration (days): 30 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 6 mg/kg IV infusion, maximun 480 mg/day, a second infusion could be administered within 12 hours to 7 days after the first dose. |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=90 Standard care=90 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 180 Mean age : NR 152 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=* / Severe: n=* Critical: n=9 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Proportion of subjects showing progressive COVID 19 disease from moderate to severe, or from severe disease to death (up to day 14) | |
In the report Proportion of patients with progression of COVID-19 from moderate to severe or from severe to death up to day 14 | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication:
|
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment | In addition to all available version of the published article, the study registry and protocol were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. This is an unmasked study with no placebo. There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments. Primary and secondary efficacy analyses were done in the modified intention-to-treat population (i.e. 179 patients), which included all randomly assigned patients who had at least one post-baseline assessment for the primary endpoint. Overall safety (mortality, adverse and serious adverse events) was assessed in all randomly assigned patients (i.e. 180 patients). Conversion to negative RT-PCR, stated as an outcome in the protocol and article, was not reported. |
Trial NCT04356937
Publication Stone JH, N Engl J Med (2020) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-04-20 to 2020-06-15
Funding: Private (Genentech)
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: double blinding | |
Location :
Multicenter / USA Follow-up duration (days): 28 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV single dose, maximum 800 mg |
|
Control
Placebo | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=161 Placebo=82 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 243 Mean age : NR 141 males Severity : Mild: n=38 / Moderate: n=194 / Severe: n=10 Critical: n=1 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Time from administration of the investigational agent (or placebo) to requiring mechanical ventilation and intubation, or death for subjects who die prior to intubation [ Time Frame: 28 days ] | |
In the report Intubation (or death, for patients who died before intubation) after administration of tocilizumab or placebo, assessed in a time-to-event analysis | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Low |
General comment |
In addition to the published article, the trial registry, study protocol and statistical analysis plan were used in data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. Concerning the sample size, the protocol states the following: « At the outset, the target enrollment was 278 patients 83 of 92 to achieve 85% power. However, the enrollment rate significantly slowed as the pandemic surge waned in the Boston area, and in early June the decision was made to reduce the target enrollment to 243 (80% power) and the protocol was amended to reflect this change”. There were no other notable differences in study population, procedures, treatments or outcomes between the published article and the trial registry, study protocol and statistical analysis plan.
This study was updated on May 11th, 2022 with data extracted from the registry. |
Trial IRCT20081027001411N4
Publication Talaschian M, Research Square (2021) (preprint)
Dates: 2020-07-10 to 2020-10-10
Funding: Public/non profit (Tehran University of Medical Sciences)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: double blinding | |
Location :
Single center / Iran Follow-up duration (days): 28 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV infusion single dose, maximum 800 mg, a second infusion could be administered 12 hours after first |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=20 Standard care=20 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 40 Mean age : NR 19 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=* / Severe: n=* Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Radiographic features Findings Before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment: Mortality rate Before and after treatment; Need an oxygen therapy Before and after (at day 5 after treatment and discharge time); O2 saturation Before and after (at day 5 after treatment and at discharge time) | |
In the report Improvement and discharge or death after administration of intervention whichever came first | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol NR Statistical plan NR Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Yes |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
High |
General comment |
In addition to the pre-print article, the study registry was used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The protocol or statistical analysis plan were not available. The study achieved the target sample size specified in the trial registry. The trial registry was updated after study completion to reflect changes made in inclusion and exclusion criteria and control intervention (changed from placebo to standard care only). The registry stated the trial to be quadruple blinded however, no placebo was used during the study.
Quote: "In this study, patients, investigators, and outcome assessors did not inform which group received an intervention. Besides, a placebo was not used in the control group." Hence it is unclear if participants and personnel/carers were blinded The registry primary outcome does not reflect the reported primary outcome. Some outcomes reported in the pre-print paper and used in the NMA are are not pre-specified in the registry (clinical improvement and SAEs). The study was assessed to be at a high risk of bias because of some concerns in four domains. |
Trial NCT04403685
Publication TOCIBRAS - Veiga VC, BMJ (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-05-08 to 2020-07-17
Funding: Mixed (The hospitals and research institutes participating in Coalition covid-19 Brazil; Fleury Laboratory (laboratory analysis); Instituto Votorantim (donation for drug provision))
Conflict of interest: Yes
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / Brazil Follow-up duration (days): 29 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 8 mg/kg IV infusion single dose, maximum 800 mg |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Standard care=64 Tocilizumab=65 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 129 Mean age : NR 88 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=67 / Severe: n=41 Critical: n=21 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Evaluation of clinical status [Time Frame: Day 15 of the trial]: Evaluation of clinical status of patients on day 15 after randomization, defined by the Ordinal Scale of 7 points (score ranges from 1 to 7, with 7 being the worst score) | |
In the report Clinical status at 15 days evaluated with the use of a seven level ordinal scale | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication:
|
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment | In addition to the published article and its supplementary materials, the trial registry, published protocol and statistical analysis plan were used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Viral clearance was an exploratory outcome in the protocol but results were not reported. There were no other substantive differences between the protocol, registry and published report in study population, procedures or interventions. Unblinded study. The trial was terminated early after the first interim analysis owing to an excess number of deaths at 15 days in the tocilizumab group. Quote: "The trial registration on Clinicaltrials.gov was finalised only after enrolment of the first patient because of an administrative error by the research team. Thus, the study did not achieve the sample size recorded in the trial registry. On May 8th, an eligible patient was identified at our centre and enrolment offered to the patient. At the same day, the protocol was included in ClinicalTrials.gov but could not be registered. On May 11th, we received a response with a modified Protocol Registration and Results System for registration. On May 12th, we uploaded our protocol information in ClinicalTrials.gov as approved by the Brazilian Ethics authorities. As we did not receive a reply from ClinicalTrials.gov in subsequent days, a new contact was made on May 24th and the protocol as initially submitted was published." "In the first version of the trial protocol, need of mechanical ventilation was an exclusion criterion. On June 4th, 2020, after the study was initiated, an amendment was made to allow inclusion of patients under mechanical ventilation for less than 24 hours. On July 7th, 2020 chest X-ray evidence of COVID-19 was included as an alternative to computed tomography in the inclusion criteria" |
Trial ChiCTR2000029765
Publication Wang D, Front Med (2021) (published paper)
Dates: 2020-02-13 to 2020-03-13
Funding: Public/non profit (Department of Science and Technology of Anhui Province and Health Commission of Anhui Province; China National Center for Biotechnology Development)
Conflict of interest: No
Methods | |
RCT Blinding: Unblinded | |
Location :
Multicenter / China Follow-up duration (days): 14 | |
Inclusion criteria |
|
Exclusion criteria |
|
Interventions | |
Treatment
Tocilizumab 400 mg (diluted in 100 ml 0.9% saline) IV infusion for more than 1 hour. A second dose is given if the patient remains febrile for 24 hours after the first dose. |
|
Control
Standard care | |
Participants | |
Randomized participants : Tocilizumab=33 Standard care=32 | |
Characteristics of participants N= 65 Mean age : NR 33 males Severity : Mild: n=0 / Moderate: n=37 / Severe: n=28 Critical: n=0 | |
Primary outcome | |
In the register Cure rate | |
In the report Cure rate of the enrolled patients (defined as 1)fever attenuated for continuously 7 days, 2) twice COVD-19 nucleolus acid detections negative, 3) CT scan shows chest effusion absorbed more than 50% percent when the patient is discharged from hospita | |
Documents avalaible |
Protocol Yes. In English Statistical plan Yes Data-sharing willing stated in the publication: Not reported |
Risk of bias Overall The overall risk of bias reported in the table corresponds to the highest risk of bias for the outcomes assessed for the systematic review |
Some concerns |
General comment |
In addition to all available versions of the pre-print article, the study registry was used in data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The study did not achieve the target sample size specified in the registry.
Quote: "Because of the rapid decline in the number of COVID-19 patients in China, finally a total of 65 pneumonia patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent randomization." There is no change from the trial registration in the intervention and control treatments, nor in the primary outcome. Mortality was stated as a secondary outcome in the registry but not in the report. Conversely, some secondary outcomes in the report (recovery rate of hypoxia over 14 days and the time to negative virus load) were not in the registry. The study was updated on March 11th, 2021 with data from the published report. |