May 4, 2020
In April, Dr Srinivas Murthy and collaborators from McGill University and the University of Toronto publihsed a commentary in CMAJ discussing the importance of collaborative, randomized controlled trials for evaluating treatments for COVID-19, and outlining Canada’s current involvement in these global research efforts.
- Randomized controlled trials, in which patients are routinely randomly assigned to the most promising available option(s) or to control arm(s), will allow evidence for the safest, most effective therapies to be generated in the shortest possible time. Although earlier patients may receive best-guess treatments, subsequent patients can receive evidence-based therapies and be spared from harm.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized several medications for further study in COVID-19 — based on data collected in the laboratory, available safety data, and existing biological and medical knowledge.
- With over 500 clinical trials are already registered on the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, global collaboration is key to preventing wasteful duplication, competition for the same participants, and the potential for underpowered studies that lead to either the premature rejection of promising drugs or premature adoption into standard of care.
- Canada’s clinical research infrastructure is being scaled quickly to meet our new needs. Several clinical trials are or will soon be underway: CATCO & REMAP-CAP are coordinating efforts to evaluate treatments for severely ill patients, while CORIPREV LR & COVID19 Postexposure Prophylaxis RCT — Canada will evaluate treatments and strategies for preventing new infections.
Full article:
Matthew P. Cheng, Todd C. Lee, Darrell H.S. Tan, Srinivas Murthy. Commentary: Generating randomized trial evidence to optimize treatment in the COVID-19 pandemic. CMAJ 2020. April 14, 2020 192 (15) E405-E407; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.200438