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SAFEty Study of Early Infusion of Vitamin C for Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Acute Lung Injury (SAFE EVICT CORONA-ALI)

SAFEty Study of Early Infusion of Vitamin C for Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Acute Lung Injury (SAFE EVICT CORONA-ALI)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04344184
Enrollment
47
Registered
2020-04-14
Start date
2020-12-18
Completion date
2022-06-10
Last updated
2024-04-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

COVID-19, Lung Injury, Acute, Kidney Injury

Brief summary

This study will evaluate the safety of a 96-hour intravenous vitamin C infusion protocol (50 mg/kg every 6 hours) in patients with hypoxemia and suspected COVID-19.

Detailed description

The intravenous vitamin C treatment protocol will be comprised of four intravenous infusions a day, that is 50 mg/kg every 6 hours in patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection manifesting COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019) with hypoxemia. Treatment protocol will continue for 4 days (96 hours), and, if needed, the last study-specific bloodwork with being collected on day 7. All subjects will be followed to day 28 (phase I) and day 90 (phase II) for collection of clinical outcomes data through electronic health records (EHR) even though the treatment protocol will be completed by 96 hours from randomization at the latest. Secondary outcome data will also be collected either during in-person (clinic) visit or via telephone at the 60 and 90-day follow-up.

Interventions

50 mg/kg intravenous vitamin C infusion every 6 hours for up to 96 hours

OTHERPlacebo

Dextrose 5% Water

Sponsors

Virginia Commonwealth University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adults of 18 years or older * Patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 based on central laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Disease-2019, based on a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR confirmed within 72 hours prior to enrollment of nasal, oropharyngeal, or BAL specimen with hypoxemia, (i.e., decrease in oxygenation, as outlined below) * Pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) \< 93% on room air in WHO COVID-19 ordinal scale 3 patients, regardless the need for assisted ventilation, or oxygenation. * Any new requirement of supplemental oxygen, with any oxygen device (WHO COVID-19 ordinal scale 4-7, regardless of pulse oximetry reading) * In patients with supplemental oxygen at home, any increase in the requirement of supplemental oxygen. * In ICU level care

Exclusion criteria

* Age less than 18 years * Known allergy to Vitamin C * Inability to obtain consent from patient or next of kin * Presence of diabetic ketoacidosis * ANY history of oxalate stones at any time * Patients with Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), CKD stage 4 (eGFR \< 30 ml/min, CKD stage 5 and end-stage renal disease on dialysis patients are excluded. * Patients with Acute Kidney Injury, stage 3. * Pregnant, or lactating * Known diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency * Patients who received the following medications within 7 days prior to enrollment, or plan to receive during enrollment, or 7 days after enrollment: aluminum hydroxide, bortezomib, copper, deferoxamine, amphetamines including derivatives such as fluphenazine. * Patients with active sickle cell crisis * Prisoners * Patients outside ICU level care

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in COVID Disease StatusOver 27 days from baseline, day 60 and day 90 dayCOVID disease status was measured for improvement using the World Health Organization (WHO) ordinal scale for clinical improvement of COVID-19 over ICU admission within 27 days. The WHO scale is a 9-point ordinal scale ranging from uninfected (0), ambulatory (1-2), hospitalized with severe disease (5), hospitalized with intubation and organ support (6-7) and death (score of 8).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Renal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesOn days 5,7 and 14Microscopic analysis of urine for presence of oxalate stones
Renal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsOn days 5,7 and 14Renal safety will be Measured via renal safety biomarkers - 24- hour urine oxalate level
Acute Kidney Injury-free DaysOver 27 days from baselineRenal-failure free days, with AKI defined by the KDIGO criteria
Number of DeathsOver 27 days from baseline, day 60 and day 90 dayMortality by all cause was comprehensively collected using hospital encounter information over 27 days from baseline, in addition to public record review at day 60 and day 90. Results for this outcome represents the number of deaths that have occurred between each time point.
Change in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 0 (baseline), day 1, day 7Difference in plasma ferritin levels in ng/mL, compared to baseline levels
Renal Safety Biomarkers - Serum OxalateOn days 5,7 and 14Change in serum oxalate levels
Change in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7Difference in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in units/L, compared to baseline levels
Change in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7Difference in plasma IL-6 levels in pg/mL, compared to baseline levels
Number of Patients Alive and Free of Respiratory FailureAt 28-daysRespiratory failure defined as resource utilization requiring at least 1 of the following: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, Oxygen delivered by high-flow nasal cannula (heated, humidified, oxygen delivered via reinforced nasal cannula at flow rates \>20L/min with fraction of delivered oxygen ≥0.5), noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Number of Patients Alive and Free of Invasive Mechanical VentilationAt 28-daysNumber of patients alive and not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. The results represent the number of patients who were ventilator free.
Change in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7Difference in D-dimer levels in mcg/mL, compared to baseline levels

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Infusion
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), intravenous infusion L-ascorbic acid: 50 mg/kg intravenous vitamin C infusion every 6 hours for up to 96 hours
22
Placebo
Dextrose 5% Water Placebo: Dextrose 5% Water
25
Total47

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicInfusionTotalPlacebo
Age, Continuous60.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.4
60.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15
60.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.6
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
21 Participants45 Participants24 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
11 Participants19 Participants8 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants3 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
10 Participants25 Participants15 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
female
12 Participants20 Participants8 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
male
10 Participants24 Participants14 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
unknown
0 Participants3 Participants3 Participants
Weight at Admission (kg)106 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 29.5
100 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 30
95.3 Kilograms
STANDARD_DEVIATION 30.2

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
5 / 227 / 25
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 223 / 25
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 221 / 25

Outcome results

Primary

Change in COVID Disease Status

COVID disease status was measured for improvement using the World Health Organization (WHO) ordinal scale for clinical improvement of COVID-19 over ICU admission within 27 days. The WHO scale is a 9-point ordinal scale ranging from uninfected (0), ambulatory (1-2), hospitalized with severe disease (5), hospitalized with intubation and organ support (6-7) and death (score of 8).

Time frame: Over 27 days from baseline, day 60 and day 90 day

Population: All data points were not available for all subjects at follow-up, Day 27, 60, 90, due to participants not actively being admitted within the ICU and available for assessments.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionChange in COVID Disease StatusBaseline (day 0)5.09 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.811
InfusionChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 273.05 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.218
InfusionChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 603.00 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
InfusionChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 903.00 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
PlaceboChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 902.81 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.544
PlaceboChange in COVID Disease StatusBaseline (day 0)5.48 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.714
PlaceboChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 602.88 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.6
PlaceboChange in COVID Disease StatusDay 273.00 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 0
Secondary

Acute Kidney Injury-free Days

Renal-failure free days, with AKI defined by the KDIGO criteria

Time frame: Over 27 days from baseline

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionAcute Kidney Injury-free Days7.36 DaysStandard Deviation 8.17
PlaceboAcute Kidney Injury-free Days8.04 DaysStandard Deviation 8.18
Secondary

Change in Plasma D-dimer Levels

Difference in D-dimer levels in mcg/mL, compared to baseline levels

Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

Population: Data was not available for all of the subjects for all of the days and therefore was not analyzed as reflected in the numbers.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsBaseline2.85 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 3.45
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 12.65 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 2.24
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 22.60 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 2.42
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 32.29 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 2.18
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 42.71 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 2.57
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 52.84 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 2.84
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 62.84 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 373
InfusionChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 75.12 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 5.26
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 73.80 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 4.54
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsBaseline5.60 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 6.55
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 43.44 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 3.47
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 15.52 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 5.87
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 64.56 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 5.18
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 26.32 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 7.04
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 53.56 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 3.49
PlaceboChange in Plasma D-dimer LevelsDay 34.99 mg/L FEUStandard Deviation 5.34
Secondary

Change in Plasma Ferritin Levels

Difference in plasma ferritin levels in ng/mL, compared to baseline levels

Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), day 1, day 7

Population: The data is not available for all subjects for all days as reflected in the numbers analyzed.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 0917 ng/mLStandard Deviation 1350
InfusionChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 1694 ng/mLStandard Deviation 845
InfusionChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 7638 ng/mLStandard Deviation 488
PlaceboChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 01510 ng/mLStandard Deviation 1500
PlaceboChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 11100 ng/mLStandard Deviation 997
PlaceboChange in Plasma Ferritin LevelsDay 71320 ng/mLStandard Deviation 733
Secondary

Change in Plasma IL-6 Levels

Difference in plasma IL-6 levels in pg/mL, compared to baseline levels

Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Population: Not all data available for all subjects as indicated below for analysis.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 7410 pg/mLStandard Deviation 56.6
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsBaseline475 pg/mLStandard Deviation 222
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 1421 pg/mLStandard Deviation 160
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 2445 pg/mLStandard Deviation 174
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 3428 pg/mLStandard Deviation 105
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 4461 pg/mLStandard Deviation 123
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 5519 pg/mLStandard Deviation 388
InfusionChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 6456 pg/mLStandard Deviation 230
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 6502 pg/mLStandard Deviation 155
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 7511 pg/mLStandard Deviation 166
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 3606 pg/mLStandard Deviation 227
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsBaseline667 pg/mLStandard Deviation 192
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 5536 pg/mLStandard Deviation 142
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 1639 pg/mLStandard Deviation 190
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 4573 pg/mLStandard Deviation 211
PlaceboChange in Plasma IL-6 LevelsDay 2644 pg/mLStandard Deviation 227
Secondary

Change in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Levels

Difference in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in units/L, compared to baseline levels

Time frame: Day 0 (baseline), days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

Population: Not all of the data was available for all of the subjects as listed below for analysis.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsBaseline475 mmol/LStandard Deviation 222
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 1421 mmol/LStandard Deviation 160
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 2445 mmol/LStandard Deviation 174
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 3428 mmol/LStandard Deviation 105
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 4461 mmol/LStandard Deviation 123
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 5519 mmol/LStandard Deviation 388
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 6456 mmol/LStandard Deviation 230
InfusionChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 7410 mmol/LStandard Deviation 56.6
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 7511 mmol/LStandard Deviation 166
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsBaseline667 mmol/LStandard Deviation 192
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 4573 mmol/LStandard Deviation 211
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 1639 mmol/LStandard Deviation 190
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 6502 mmol/LStandard Deviation 155
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 2644 mmol/LStandard Deviation 227
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 5536 mmol/LStandard Deviation 142
PlaceboChange in Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) LevelsDay 3606 mmol/LStandard Deviation 227
Secondary

Number of Deaths

Mortality by all cause was comprehensively collected using hospital encounter information over 27 days from baseline, in addition to public record review at day 60 and day 90. Results for this outcome represents the number of deaths that have occurred between each time point.

Time frame: Over 27 days from baseline, day 60 and day 90 day

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
InfusionNumber of DeathsBaseline to Day 275 Participants
InfusionNumber of DeathsDay 28 to Day 600 Participants
InfusionNumber of DeathsDay 61 to Day 900 Participants
PlaceboNumber of DeathsBaseline to Day 277 Participants
PlaceboNumber of DeathsDay 28 to Day 600 Participants
PlaceboNumber of DeathsDay 61 to Day 900 Participants
Secondary

Number of Patients Alive and Free of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Number of patients alive and not requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. The results represent the number of patients who were ventilator free.

Time frame: At 28-days

Population: The analyzed population did not reflect all participants still in the study at this time point due to only collecting data for participants remaining in the ICU.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
InfusionNumber of Patients Alive and Free of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation2 Participants
Secondary

Number of Patients Alive and Free of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure defined as resource utilization requiring at least 1 of the following: Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, Oxygen delivered by high-flow nasal cannula (heated, humidified, oxygen delivered via reinforced nasal cannula at flow rates \>20L/min with fraction of delivered oxygen ≥0.5), noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Time frame: At 28-days

Population: The analyzed population did not reflect all participants still in the study at this time point due to only collecting data for participants remaining in the ICU.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
InfusionNumber of Patients Alive and Free of Respiratory Failure2 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Patients Alive and Free of Respiratory Failure0 Participants
Secondary

Renal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate Levels

Renal safety will be Measured via renal safety biomarkers - 24- hour urine oxalate level

Time frame: On days 5,7 and 14

Population: Due to staffing/operational challenges in conjunction with only following participants during the ICU admission not all subjects participated in day 5, 7, \& 14 oxalate collection. During COVID, methods to limit access to potential exposure \& limited PPE restricted collection timepoints. Also, an internal facility error in collection process was noted by outside lab during processing samples. Facility process updated to include new methods, however multiple samples were unable to be processed.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsDay 540.8 umol/dayStandard Deviation 27
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsDay 1492 umol/day
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsDay 521.5 umol/dayStandard Deviation 16.3
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsDay 725.5 umol/dayStandard Deviation 6.36
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - 24-hour Urine Oxalate LevelsDay 1432.7 umol/dayStandard Deviation 26.7
Secondary

Renal Safety Biomarkers - Serum Oxalate

Change in serum oxalate levels

Time frame: On days 5,7 and 14

Population: Due to staffing/operational challenges in conjunction with only following participants during the ICU admission not all subjects participated in day 5, 7, \& 14 oxalate collection. During COVID, methods to limit access to potential exposure \& limited PPE restricted collection timepoints. Also, an internal facility error in collection process was noted by outside lab during processing samples. Facility process updated to include new methods, however multiple samples were unable to be processed.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - Serum OxalateDay 58.96 umol per literStandard Deviation 9.41
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Serum OxalateDay 510.5 umol per literStandard Deviation 13
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Serum OxalateDay 713.4 umol per literStandard Deviation 9.48
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Serum OxalateDay 1419.0 umol per literStandard Deviation 0
Secondary

Renal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate Stones

Microscopic analysis of urine for presence of oxalate stones

Time frame: On days 5,7 and 14

Population: Due to staffing/operational challenges in conjunction with only following participants during the ICU admission not all subjects participated in day 5, 7, \& 14 oxalate collection. During COVID, methods to limit access to potential exposure \& limited PPE restricted collection timepoints. Also, an internal facility error in collection process was noted by outside lab during processing samples. Facility process updated to include new methods, however multiple samples were unable to be processed.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 51 Participants
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 70 Participants
InfusionRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 140 Participants
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 50 Participants
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 70 Participants
PlaceboRenal Safety Biomarkers - Urine Oxalate StonesDay 140 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 24, 2026