Ruxolitinib versus Dexamethasone in Hospitalized Adults with Covid-19: multicenter matched-controlled study

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.20.21255662v1

NCT04337359-Ruxolitinib 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=0.35, non-inferiority p=0.0137), respectively. Time to discharge without oxygen support requirement was also not different between these groups: 13 vs 11 days (p=0.13). 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=0.042), ruxolitinib therapy was associated with better safety profile due to reduced rate of severe cardiovascular adverse events (6.8% vs 15%, p=0.025). Ruxolitinib 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.

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