Efficacy and safety of 7-day aerosolized epigallocatechin-3-gallate in oncologic patients with COVID-19 pneumonia
摘要
Oncologic patients are vulnerable to prolonged or severe COVID-19 due to immunosuppression and comorbidities. Our initial Phase I/II clinical trial has showed that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a catechin monomer isolated from tea, exhibits favorable safety profiles with therapeutic effects against COVID-19 pneumonia. This phase II, open-label, randomized controlled trial further evaluated the efficacy and safety of 7-day aerosolized epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in oncologic patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
MethodsThis trial was conducted from June 2023 to May 2024. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive aerosolized EGCG plus standard treatment or standard treatment alone. The primary endpoint was CT imaging improvement. Secondary endpoints included symptom resolution and the safety of EGCG.
Results114 patients were randomized, with 108 eligible (71 in EGCG group, 37 in control group). The EGCG group showed significantly greater CT improvement (P = 0.004) and faster symptom resolution for fever (P = 0.035), cough (P = 0.048), and dyspnea (P = 0.015). Improvement rates were higher in the EGCG group for fever (95% confidence interval: 1.380 -10.352) and dyspnea (95% confidence interval:1.750-60.446). Post-treatment lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly lower in the EGCG group (P = 0.028). Safety profiles were comparable, with only mild adverse events observed in the EGCG group.
ConclusionsAerosolized EGCG significantly improved both radiological and clinical outcomes with a favorable safety profile in oncologic patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, although broader application requires further validation in larger multi-center trials.
Trial registryClinicalTrials.gov, TRN: NCT06924749, Registration date: 22 August 2023.