London hospitals launch trial of drug that could reduce coronavirus risk in diabetics

London hospitals are launching trials of a drug that doctors hope will reduce the risk of people with diabetes becoming seriously ill or dying from coronavirus.

Medics at the Royal London and Whipps Cross hospitals are leading a national trial that will offer people with type 1 or 2 diabetes who are admitted for treatment for covid an additional therapy.

One in three deaths from covid in English hospitals have been associated with diabetes, as a result of such patients typically having problems with high blood sugar levels.

The drug, AZD1656, was originally developed by Astra Zeneca for another use and has been used to treat kidney transplant patients. But it has not become a standard treatment for the control of blood sugars as its benefits tend to wear off after several months.

Dr Kieran McCafferty, consultant nephrologist at Barts Health NHS Trust, who is leading the trial, said: “We know that the outcomes are worse for patients with diabetes who develop Covid and, as we see the number of infections rise again, is vitally important that we explore all treatments that may help save lives.”

About 150 patients in 15 UK hospitals will be involved in the “Arcadia” trials over the next four months.

If successful, the drug could ultimately be prescribed by a GP for people with diabetes presenting with early Covid symptoms.

It is hoped that the drug will lower blood sugar levels in covid patients with diabetes and also reduce the risk of a “cytokine storm”, when the body’s immune system overheats after trying to fight the virus.

Another benefit could be its use with the steroid dexamethasone, which was discovered this year to reduce mortality from covid but can increase blood sugar levels.

Dr McCafferty said: “We think that this drug, as well as controlling blood sugars, will dampen down the immune system. We think in some ways immune over-activity can lead to complications in people who have Covid.

“I would be hopeful that we will show it is effective. This could be hugely beneficial or an important tool in the fight against complications from Covid.”

The idea to investigate the possible benefits of the drug came St George Street, a UK-based biomedical research charity.

David Tapolczay, chief executive St George Street, said: “Given the current crisis, we have paused all our current research programmes to focus totally on this clinical trial and evaluate this potentially life-saving new drug.”

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