Ruxolitinib Versus Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Adults With COVID-19: Multicenter Matched Cohort Study

Abstract

\n Background\n\nSeveral anti-cytokine therapies were tested in the randomized trials in hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (COVID-19). Previously, dexamethasone demonstrated the reduction of mortality in hospitalized patients with a respiratory failure. In this matched control study we compared dexamethasone to a Janus kinase inhibitor, ruxolitinib.\nMethods\n\nThe study included 146 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and oxygen support requirement. The control group was selected 1:1 from 1355 dexamethasone-treated patients and was matched by 29 clinical and laboratory parameters predicting survival.\nResults\n\nRuxolitinib treatment in the general cohort of patients was associated with equivalent to dexamethasone mortality rate: 9,6% (95% CI 4,6–14,6%) vs 13,0% (95% CI 7,5–18,5%, superiority p\u2009=\u20090.35, non-inferiority p\u2009=\u20090.0137), respectively. Median time to discharge without oxygen support requirement was also not different between these groups: 13 vs. 11 days (p\u2009=\u20090.13). Subgroup analysis without adjustment for multiple comparisons demonstrated reduced mortality in ruxolitnib-treated patients with febrile fever (OR 0.33, 95%CI 0.11-1.00). Except higher incidence of grade 1 thrombocytopenia (37% vs 23%, p\u2009=\u20090.042), ruxolitinib therapy was associated with better safety profile due to reduced rate of severe cardiovascular adverse events (6.8% vs 15%, p\u2009=\u20090.025).\nConclusions\n\nRuxolitinib may be an alternative anti-cytokine therapy with comparable efficacy in patients with potential risks of steroid administration. Patients with febrile fever at admission may benefit from ruxolitinib administration.