Short- and long-term effects of imatinib in patients hospitalised for COVID-19: A randomised trial

<bold>Background:</bold> Earlier evidence has suggested that imatinib may improve 30-day survival in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Objective:</bold> To study the short- and long-term effects of imatinib in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a randomised trial in 15 Finnish hospitals. Participants were randomised between locally available options to receive standard or care (SoC) or SoC with imatinib. Imatinib dosage was 400 mg daily until discharge (max 14 days). Primary outcomes were mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Secondary outcomes included recovery, quality of life and long COVID symptoms at 1 year. We also performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised trials studying imatinib for 30-day mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Results:</bold> Between August 2021 and March 2023, we randomised 156 patients (103 in 2021, 51 in 2022 and 2 in 2023; 73 in SoC, 83 in imatinib). Among patients on imatinib, 7.2% had died at 30 days and 13.3% at 1 year and among those randomized to SoC 4.1% and 8.3% (adjusted HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.23–5.07). At 1-year, self-reported recovery occurred in 79.0% in imatinib and in 88.3% in SoC (RR 0.91, 0.78-1.06). We found no convincing difference between groups in quality of life or symptoms. Fatigue (24%), sleep issues (19%), and memory problems (17%) frequently bothered patients among 21 potential long COVID symptoms. In the meta-analysis of 4 randomised trials (732 patients), imatinib was associated with a mortality risk ratio of 0.73 (0.32–1.63; low certainty evidence). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The evidence raises doubts regarding benefit of imatinib in reducing mortality, improving recovery and preventing long COVID symptoms in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Published
2024-09-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.congress-2024.pa1505
Primary Topic
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Short- and long-term effects of imatinib in patients hospitalised for COVID-19: A randomised trial

Negar Pourjamal, Riina Hankkio, Marjatta Sinisalo, Hanna Ansakorpi et al.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatments
article

Short- and long-term effects of imatinib in patients hospitalised for COVID-19: A randomised trial

Negar Pourjamal, Riina Hankkio, Marjatta Sinisalo, Hanna Ansakorpi, Aija Vanhanen, Olli Nevalainen, Pauliina Kuutti, Tuomas Rosberg, Tuomas P. Kilpeläinen, Saana Horstia, Heikki Kauma, Thijs Feuth, Andreas Renner, Juuso Paajanen, Alex L E Halme, Seppo Parkkila, Sanna Laakkonen, Kari A.O. Tikkinen, Jarkko Mäntylä, Erja‐Leena Paukkeri, Jussi Mustonen, Ilkka Kalliala, Maarit K. Leinonen, Hanna‐Riikka Kreivi, Taina Nykänen, Ilari Kuitunen, Marjukka Myllärniemi, Petrus Järvinen, Markus Perola, Taina Hammarén, Alvar Külmäsu, Riikka Ala-Karvia, Tiina Mattila, Riitta-Liisa Patovirta, Jarno Rutanen, Gordon Guyatt
article en

Abstract

<bold>Background:</bold> Earlier evidence has suggested that imatinib may improve 30-day survival in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Objective:</bold> To study the short- and long-term effects of imatinib in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a randomised trial in 15 Finnish hospitals. Participants were randomised between locally available options to receive standard or care (SoC) or SoC with imatinib. Imatinib dosage was 400 mg daily until discharge (max 14 days). Primary outcomes were mortality at 30 days and 1 year. Secondary outcomes included recovery, quality of life and long COVID symptoms at 1 year. We also performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomised trials studying imatinib for 30-day mortality in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. <bold>Results:</bold> Between August 2021 and March 2023, we randomised 156 patients (103 in 2021, 51 in 2022 and 2 in 2023; 73 in SoC, 83 in imatinib). Among patients on imatinib, 7.2% had died at 30 days and 13.3% at 1 year and among those randomized to SoC 4.1% and 8.3% (adjusted HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.23–5.07). At 1-year, self-reported recovery occurred in 79.0% in imatinib and in 88.3% in SoC (RR 0.91, 0.78-1.06). We found no convincing difference between groups in quality of life or symptoms. Fatigue (24%), sleep issues (19%), and memory problems (17%) frequently bothered patients among 21 potential long COVID symptoms. In the meta-analysis of 4 randomised trials (732 patients), imatinib was associated with a mortality risk ratio of 0.73 (0.32–1.63; low certainty evidence). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> The evidence raises doubts regarding benefit of imatinib in reducing mortality, improving recovery and preventing long COVID symptoms in hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

University of Helsinki (FI), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (FI), Oulu University Hospital (FI), Helsinki University Hospital (FI), Turku University Hospital (FI), Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (FI), Kuopio University Hospital (FI), Public Health Institute (US), Kanta-Hämeen Keskussairaala (FI), Tampere University Hospital (FI), Moisio Hospital (FI), Valmet Automotive (Finland) (FI), Hyvinkää Hospital (FI), Päijät-Hämeen Keskussairaala (FI), Tampere University (FI), Herttoniemi Hospital (FI), McMaster University (CA), University of Oulu (FI)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treatments
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.