Use of Angiotensin-(1-7) in COVID-19

A novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) described in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, has led to a pandemic and to a specific coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19), which is mainly characterized by a respiratory involvement. While researching for a vaccine has been started, effective therapeutic solutions are urgently needed to face this threaten. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a relevant role in COVID-19, as the virus will enter host's cells via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); RAS disequilibrium might also play a key role in the modulation of the inflammatory response that characterizes the lung involvement. Angiotensin-(1-7) is a peptide that could be altered in COVID-19 patient and it may potentially improve respiratory function in this setting. This a randomized, controlled, investigator-initiated Phase I/Phase II trial is conceived to test the safety and the efficacy of intravenous angiotensin-(1-7) infusion in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The first phase of the study, with a limited number of patients (n=30) will serve to confirm the safety of the intravenous infusion of the drug by observing the incidence of the adverse events (phase I, open label). In a second phase of the study, conducted in a double-blind manner and including a larger cohort of patients (n=100, Phase II), patients will be randomly assigned to receive either an Angiotensin-(1-7) infusion or placebo. The primary endpoint of the study will be the number of supplemental oxygen-free days by day 28. Secondary outcomes will include length of hospital stay, ICU and hospital free days, ICU and hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, weaning time from mechanical ventilation if intubated, secondary infections, vasopressor needs, changes in PaO2 / FiO2, incidence of deep vein thrombosis, changes in inflammatory markers, plasma levels of angiotensin II and angiotensin (1-7) and radiological findings.