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Comprehensive preclinical evaluation of how cardiac safety profiles of potential COVID-19 drugs are modified by disease associated factors.
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  • Clifford TeBay,
  • Jeffrey McArthur,
  • Melissa Mangala,
  • Nicholas Kerr,
  • STEWART Heitmann,
  • Matthew Perry,
  • Monique Windley,
  • Jamie VaAndenberg,
  • Adam Hill
Clifford TeBay
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jeffrey McArthur
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Melissa Mangala
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Nicholas Kerr
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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STEWART Heitmann
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Matthew Perry
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Monique Windley
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Jamie VaAndenberg
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Adam Hill
Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
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Abstract

Background and Purpose: Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, have been proposed as therapies for COVID-19. However, there is currently scant and inconsistent data regarding their proarrhythmic potential in these patients. Moreover, their risk profile in the setting of altered physiological states encountered in patients with COVID-19 (i.e. febrile state, electrolyte imbalances, and/or acidosis) is unknown. Experimental approach: Potency of hERG block was measured using high-throughput electrophysiology in the presence of variable environmental factors. These potencies informed simulations to predict population risk profiles. Effects on cardiac repolarisation were verified in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) from three separate individuals. Key Results: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine blocked hERG with IC50 of 1.47±0.07 µM and 3.78±0.17 µM respectively, indicating proarrhythmic risk at concentrations effective against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and proposed in COVID-19 clinical trials. Hypokalaemia and hypermagnesemia increased potency of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, indicating increased proarrhythmic risk. Acidosis significantly reduced potency of all drugs (i.e. reduced proarrhythmic risk), whereas increased temperature decreased potency of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine but increased potency for azithromycin. In silico simulations across genetically diverse populations predicted that 17% of individuals exhibit action potential durations >500 ms at the highest proposed therapeutic levels, equating to significant QT prolongation. Conclusion and Implications: Significant proarrhythmic risk is predicted for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine at doses proposed to treat COVID-19. Clinicians should carefully consider the risk of such treatments, and implement long term QT interval monitoring in trials, particularly in patients with electrolyte imbalances.
20 Feb 2021Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
22 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
22 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Sep 20211st Revision Received
05 Sep 2021Assigned to Editor
05 Sep 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Sep 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
26 Oct 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
02 Nov 20212nd Revision Received
05 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
05 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Nov 20213rd Revision Received
18 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
18 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
18 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Accept