The instrumental role of CK2 in the SARS-CoV-2 infection has pointed out this protein
kinase as promising therapeutic target in COVID-19. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity has been
reported by CK2 inhibitors
in vitro
; however, no anti-CK2 clinical
approach has been investigated in COVID-19. This trial aimed to explore the safety and
putative clinical benefit of CIGB-325, an anti-CK2 peptide previously assessed in cancer
patients. A monocentric, controlled, and therapeutic exploratory trial of intravenous
CIGB-325 in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 was performed. Twenty patients were
randomly assigned to receive CIGB-325 (2.5 mg/kg/day during 5-consecutive days) plus
standard-of-care (10 patients) or standard-of-care alone (10 patients). Adverse events
were classified by the WHO Adverse Reaction Terminology. Parametric and nonparametric
statistical analyses were performed according to the type of variable. Considering the
small sample size, differences between groups were estimated by Bayesian analysis.
CIGB-325 induced transient mild and/or moderate adverse events such as pruritus,
flushing, and rash in some patients. Both therapeutic regimens were similar with respect
to SARS-CoV-2 clearance in nasopharynx swabs over time. However, CIGB-325 significantly
reduced the median number of pulmonary lesions (9.5 to 5.5,
p
= 0.042)
at day 7 and the proportion of patients with such an effect was also higher according to
Bayesian analysis (pDif > 0; 0.951). Also, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the CPK
(
p
= 0.007) and LDH (
p
= 0.028) plasma levels at day
7. Our preliminary findings suggest that this anti-CK2 clinical approach could be
combined with standard-of-care in COVID-19 in larger studies.
Introduction
The presence of erectile dysfunction (ED) could be a warning of vascular disease in different arterial territories.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ED and the presence of atherosclerosis in 2 different vascular beds: carotid and lower limbs.
Methods
A total of 614 volunteers between 45 and 74 years of age (mean age 61.0 years) were randomly selected from the general population. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement and carotid atherosclerosis were evaluated by echo-Doppler.
Main Outcome Measures
Mean carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), prevalence of carotid plaques, mean ABI, and prevalence of ABI < 0.9 were the main outcome measures.
Results
ED was present in 373 subjects (59.7%). Mean carotid IMT was significantly higher in men with ED (0.762 ± 0.151 mm vs 0.718 ± 0.114 mm, P < .001). Also the global prevalence of carotid plaques was more frequent in men with ED (63.8% vs 44.8%, P < .001), even after adjusting by age, cardiovascular risk factors, and ongoing treatment (P = .039). Both the IMT and the prevalence of carotid plaques increased significantly with ED severity (P trend .004 and <.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between groups neither in mean ABI nor in the prevalence of subjects with ABI < 0.9. However, there was a trend to a lower ABI and a higher prevalence of ABI < 0.9 with increasing ED severity.
Conclusion
In the general population, the presence of ED identifies subjects with higher atherosclerosis burden in carotid arteries but not in the lower extremities.
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