Original Investigation July 20, 2021

Effect of Canakinumab vs Placebo on Survival Without Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Hospitalized With Severe COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Roberto Caricchio, Antonio Abbate, Ivan Gordeev, et al

JAMA. 2021;326(3):230-239. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.9508

Abstract

Importance  Effective treatments for patients with severe COVID-19 are needed.

Objective  To evaluate the efficacy of canakinumab, an anti–interleukin-1β antibody, in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

Design, Setting, and Participants  This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial was conducted at 39 hospitals in Europe and the United States. A total of 454 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, hypoxia (not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation [IMV]), and systemic hyperinflammation defined by increased blood concentrations of C-reactive protein or ferritin were enrolled between April 30 and August 17, 2020, with the last assessment of the primary end point on September 22, 2020.

Intervention  Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive a single intravenous infusion of canakinumab (450 mg for body weight of 40-<60 kg, 600 mg for 60-80 kg, and 750 mg for >80 kg; n = 227) or placebo (n = 227).

Main Outcomes and Measures  The primary outcome was survival without IMV from day 3 to day 29. Secondary outcomes were COVID-19–related mortality, measurements of biomarkers of systemic hyperinflammation, and safety evaluations.

Results  Among 454 patients who were randomized (median age, 59 years; 187 women [41.2%]), 417 (91.9%) completed day 29 of the trial. Between days 3 and 29, 198 of 223 patients (88.8%) survived without requiring IMV in the canakinumab group and 191 of 223 (85.7%) in the placebo group, with a rate difference of 3.1% (95% CI, −3.1% to 9.3%) and an odds ratio of 1.39 (95% CI, 0.76 to 2.54; P = .29). COVID-19–related mortality occurred in 11 of 223 patients (4.9%) in the canakinumab group vs 16 of 222 (7.2%) in the placebo group, with a rate difference of −2.3% (95% CI, −6.7% to 2.2%) and an odds ratio of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.30 to 1.50). Serious adverse events were observed in 36 of 225 patients (16%) treated with canakinumab vs 46 of 223 (20.6%) who received placebo.

Conclusions and Relevance  Among patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19, treatment with canakinumab, compared with placebo, did not significantly increase the likelihood of survival without IMV at day 29.

Trial Registration  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04362813