A multi-institutional preclinical study was launched
in March 20201 under the aegis of the consortium REACTing2
to determine the in vitro and in vivo antiviral potential of
hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.
The research team considered the compound in prophylaxis and during infection.
First, the team determined the in vitro
antiviral efficacy of HCQ in a cell model (Vero E6) and in a reconstituted
airway epithelium model (MucilAir). Thereafter, they evaluated HCQ either alone
or in combination with azithromycin vs placebo in a SARS-CoV-2-infected
non-human primate model.
This in vivo testing involved two steps. The
first was to verify the pertinence of the employed animal model. This step did
indeed show that the disease observed in non-human primates is very similar to
that observed in the majority of humans with COVID-19 not requiring
hospitalization. The second step was to ascertain the pharmacokinetics of HCQ,
that is, how the molecule behaves once administered in an organism. The
pharmacokinetics study enabled the determination of correlations between the
amount of HCQ administered and its absorption, distribution and metabolism in
the organism. Through this analysis, the researchers confirmed that HCQ levels
in the animal model were similar to those found in HCQ-treated humans.
Treatment administration was tested:
as a prophylaxis (before
infection),
immediately after
infection,
and late after infection
(with the appearance of symptoms; five days after infection). In addition
to testing HCQ with or without azithromycin, the team also performed
subgroup analyses for several dosing regimens.
The team did observe dose-dependent antiviral efficacy
for HCQ in the conventional in vitro tests with Vero E6 cells. However,
efficacy was not observed in the more complex airway epithelium model, where
the compound did not show a protective effect for the integrity of the infected
epithelial tissue.
As for the in vivo results, the
team found no preventive effect for HCQ when administered upstream of
infection. Furthermore, concerning treatment after infection, the researchers
were unable to find any significant differences in the amount of circulating
SARS-CoV-2 between the animals treated with HCQ and those given placebos,
regardless of treatment timing or doses.
With this study, it appears thus that HCQ does have
antiviral properties in some in vitro tests, but not in the in vivo,
non-human primate model as used specifically in the work with, in particular,
high pulmonary exposure.
It is important to note however that the study does
not yield information on any possible immunomodulatory effect of HCQ, as is
observed for the compound in lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, for example. The
preclinical nature of the study is complementary to its clinical counterparts.
The present study contributes to a better understanding of the
pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 and provides precise information on
the biodistribution of HCQ in an animal model, while controlling for numerous
parameters and respecting scientific methodology.
These results have been shared through a press release.
1 : IDMIT on point against COVID-19
2 : REACTing is a multidisciplinary consortium that brings together the partners in Aviesan, the French National Alliance for Life Sciences and Health (CEA, CNRS, INRAE, Inria, Inserm, Institut Pasteur, IRD, CPU and the Conference of Chairmen of Regional and University Hospital Centers) and is coordinated by Inserm.