REMAP-CAP response to the
COVID-19 pandemic

In early 2020, REMAP-CAP adapted rapidly to respond to widespread disease resulting from the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).

New domains of therapy for COVID-19 disease were added to REMAP-CAP over the course of the pandemic. These included:

  • Prolonged macrolide therapy, as a modulator of immune function

  • Alternative corticosteroid strategies (no corticosteroids, low dose hydrocortisone for 7 days, or hydrocortisone while the patient is in septic shock)

  • Antiviral medications for COVID-19, including lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, remdesivir, and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (paxlovid)

  • Immune-modulating therapy for COVID-19 including Interferon-beta-1a, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra), tocilizumab and sarilumab

  • Convalescent plasma for COVID-19

  • Anticoagulation strategy for critically ill and non-critically ill patients with COVID-19

  • High-dose vitamin C for patients with severe CAP, including CAP caused by COVID-19

  • Simvastatin for COVID-19

  • Antiplatelet therapy, including aspirin or a P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor)

  • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), angiotensin-II receptor blocker (ARB), an ARB in combination with a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor, or no renin-angiotensin system inhibitor for patients with COVID-19

The results of many of these domains have been reported and have influenced the management of COVID-19 disease worldwide.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, REMAP-CAP also significantly expanded the number of participating sites globally, including low-and middle-income countries.

REMAP-CAP has been named by the Chief Medical Officers of the United Kingdom as a key clinical trial for COVID-19. Read the statement here.