Clinical trial protocols of repurposed prophylaxis for COVID-19: A review

E Sallard; D Belhadi; F-X Lescure; Y Yazdanpanah; N Peiffer-Smadja

doi:10.1016/j.medmal.2020.09.013

Clinical trial protocols of repurposed prophylaxis for COVID-19: A review

Infect Dis Now. 2021 Feb;51(1):7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2020.09.013. Epub 2020 Oct 3.

Authors

E Sallard¹, D Belhadi², F-X Lescure³, Y Yazdanpanah³, N Peiffer-Smadja⁴

Affiliations

¹ École normale supérieure de Paris, 45, rue D'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; Department of Human Medicine, Faculty of Health, Witten-Herdecke University, 58453 Witten, Germany. Electronic address: erwan.sallard@ens.psl.eu.
² Université de Paris, INSERM, IAME, 75006 Paris, France.
³ Université de Paris, INSERM, IAME, 75006 Paris, France; Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France.
⁴ Université de Paris, INSERM, IAME, 75006 Paris, France; Bichat-Claude Bernard University Hospital, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance, Imperial College London, London, UK.

Abstract

Efficient therapeutic strategies are needed to counter the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In a context where specific vaccines are not yet available, the containment of the pandemic would be facilitated with efficient prophylaxis. We screened several clinical trials repositories and platforms in search of the prophylactic strategies being investigated against COVID-19 in July 2020. Up to July 5, 2020, only one clinical trial result was published, although we found 112 clinical trial protocols targeting medical workers (n=70, 63%), patients relatives (n=20, 18%) or individuals at risk of severe COVID-19 (n=14, 13%). (Hydroxy)chloroquine was the most frequently evaluated treatment (n=69, 62%), before BCG vaccine (n=12, 11%), this followed by numerous antivirals and immune enhancers. Ninety-eight (88%) clinical trials were randomized with a median of planned inclusions of 530 (IQR 258-1299). Both pre- and post-exposure prophylaxes are investigated.

Keywords: COVID-19; Prophylaxis; Repurposed chemotherapy; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / prevention & control*
Clinical Protocols
Clinical Trials as Topic*
Humans
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis*
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
SARS-CoV-2