Intravenous augmentation therapy with purified preparations of AAT (Alpha1-antitrypsin) derived from human plasma is a well consolidated specific therapeutic option to treat the severe deficient state of AAT. Prolastin is used to restore the balance between AAT and elastases in the lung and consequently to prevent a further deterioration in the pulmonary emphysema. Recently, in patients with COVID-19, without genetically lowered AAT levels with moderate to severe ARDS, treatment with AAT was demonstrated to be safe, feasible, and biochemically efficacious as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic therapy. The aim of the study, based on biological plausibility, is to evaluate the safety and efficacy (from a biological perspective) of the administration of intravenous plasma-purified AAT as an anti-inflammatory treatment for patients admitted to hospital because of a COPD exacerbation leading to an acute or an acute on chronic respiratory failure. Thirty-six adult patients hospitalized because of a COPD exacerbation leading to an acute or an acute on chronic respiratory failure will be enrolled by the two sites involved in the study, the Pneumology Unit of Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo (Pavia, Italy) and the Pneumology Unit of IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano (Milano, Italy). Participants will be randomized 2:1 in the active treatment group (standard treatment + IV administration of Prolastin) or in the placebo group (standard treatment+ IV administration of 0.9% sodium chloride). To address the clinical question from a biological perspective, we will investigate the decrease in inflammatory markers in the active treated group in comparison with the placebo group. The primary objective is to demonstrate a significant reduction in systemic inflammation by IV Prolastin administered once at 120 mg per kilogram of body weight in patients with moderate to severe AECOPD, as assessed by the change in plasma concentration of IL6 at 7 days after randomization, in the active treatment group with respect to placebo group. Secondary outcomes are: 1. Difference in change in plasma concentration of IL-1b, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, and soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNFR1), CRP at 7 days after randomization. 2. Differences in AAT antielastase activity, the amount of active elastase, the AAT levels in serum at baseline and at 7 days after randomization. 3. Difference in treatment failure rate. Treatment failure is a composite endpoint of need for either NIV or CPAP or need of ETI or need of transfer to ICU or in-hospital death after randomization 4. Impact of AECOPD on overall health, daily life, and perceived well-being in patients with obstructive airways disease by the change of St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score from Day 7 to follow-up (30 days after hospital discharge). 5. Differences in type and number of AEs and SAEs in the two groups The expected duration of subject participation is from randomization to 30 days after hospital discharge, with a follow up phone contact.
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Change in level of circulating IL-6 in plasma
Timeframe: at 7 days after IMP administration