key: cord-0717160-jtpsydy5
authors: Adam, Elisabeth H.; Schmid, Benedikt; Sonntagbauer, Michael; Kranke, Peter; Zacharowski, Kai; Meybohm, Patrick
title: Fibrin-derived peptide Bβ15-42 (FX06) as salvage treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome
date: 2020-09-24
journal: Crit Care
DOI: 10.1186/s13054-020-03293-8
sha: 1f7ea7b373ae7346f0a3cd65f72b781c2e053186
doc_id: 717160
cord_uid: jtpsydy5

nan

To the editor, After SARS-CoV-2 first occurred in China in December of 2019, it set out to become a global pandemic. Critically ill patients constitute about 2-9% of all infected patients and progress from pneumonia and hypoxemia to multiorgan dysfunction, for which acute treatment options are scarce [1] . Currently, there is no clinical evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of a drug against any coronavirus in humans, including SARS-CoV-2. Here, we describe the empirical salvage treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients in two German tertiary care University Hospitals with FX06 (F4 Pharma, Vienna, Austria), a naturally occurring peptide derived from the neo-N-terminus of fibrin (Bβ15-42). FX06 is known for its immunomodulatory properties [2] and was already investigated in clinical trials demonstrating convincing efficacy while being tolerated well with a favorable safety profile [3] .

This observational case series includes six patients during their treatment in the intensive care unit. The respective institutions' ethics committees approved the post hoc analysis of patient records for scientific purposes. The diagnosis of ARDS was based on the criteria put forth by the Berlin Definition.

Six mechanically ventilated patients suffering from moderate to severe ARDS upon ICU admission were treated with i.v. FX06 (400-600 mg per day; 3-7 days). Five out of these six patients additionally needed ECMO treatment during the course of their illness. Detailed clinical information is given in Table 1 .

Mean oxygenation ratio improved over the first 3 days after the beginning of FX06 application, returned to baseline and increased steadily afterwards from day seven on (Fig. 1a) . IL-6 serum concentrations as a marker of inflammation activity were instantly declining from day one (Fig. 1b) . Norepinephrine dosages decreased initially after the initiation of FX06 therapy before returning to nearbaseline values after some days (data not shown). Renal replacement therapy was necessary in four patients. Overall, four out of six patients survived. Both deceased patients (pats. 2 and 4 in Table 1 ) died from multi-organ failure due to septic shock most likely from secondary bacterial (co)infection. Hence, we saw no indication that the application of FX06 was in any way related to a patient's death.

In summary, we observed substantial improvement in lung function following FX06 administration, which may be attributed to its immunomodulatory properties [3] and its function to preserve the endothelial barrier [4] . Patients treated with FX06 displayed a remarkable increase of their oxygenation indices, which we consider to be indicative of the normalization of the pulmonary vascular walls through the aforementioned underlying mechanisms. This was also mirrored in the radiographic diagnostics in five out of all six patients, reflecting a normalization of the interface between the alveolar space and an enhanced tissue integrity. Various coagulation factors, including fibrin degradation products, modulate the inflammatory response by influencing leukocyte migration and cytokine production [5, 6] . The decrease in IL-6 after FX06 is therefore considered to be attributed to these immunomodulatory effects. Based on our experience, the salvage use of FX06 in severe COVID-19-associated ARDS could be an effective therapy to improve pulmonary function and vascular leakage in the most severely ill patients. A prospective randomized, controlled study to better elucidate this hypothesis is on preparation. 

Pathological findings of COVID-19 associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

FX06 (fibrin-derived peptide Bbeta15-42)-a potential candidate for myocardial reperfusion therapy

Effect of intravenous FX06 as an adjunct to primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction results of the F.I.R.E. (Efficacy of FX06 in the Prevention of Myocardial Reperfusion Injury) trial

Peptide Bβ15-42 preserves endothelial barrier function in shock

Cellular sources of tissue factor in endotoxemia and sepsis

Fibrinogen and fibrin induce synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines from isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Publisher's Note

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We are extremely thankful for all our staff nurses and support personal enabling us to successfully treat the high number of patients with Sars-Cov-2induced ARDS. This work was performed at Frankfurt University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Frankfurt, Germany, and Wuerzburg University Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Wuerzburg, Germany.

Authors' contributions KZ and PM designed the study. EA, BS, and PM analyzed and interpreted the patient data and wrote the manuscript. MS, TS, and HN aided in interpreting the results and worked on the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

This study was funded by institutional funds of both University hospitals. FX06 was provided by the manufacturer (F4 Pharma, Vienna, Austria). No further external funding, especially none through the pharmaceutical manufacturer, was provided. The Universities of Frankfurt and Wuerzburg are in part owners of the patent of FX06.

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

The study was approved by the local ethics committee (University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany) (#20-643).

Not applicable.

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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