Emetine for Viral Outbreaks (a.k.a. EVOLVE Antiviral Initiative)

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Jun 3, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The EVOLVE Antiviral Initiative is a clinical trial that aims to test the safety and effectiveness of a medication called emetine for patients aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with dengue virus. Dengue is a viral infection that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In this study, researchers want to find out if taking emetine can help reduce the risk of death or serious complications from dengue within 28 days. They will also monitor any side effects that participants might experience while taking the medication.

To participate in the trial, individuals must be hospitalized and have a confirmed dengue infection within the last few days, along with at least two symptoms such as fever, headache, or rash. Participants will take either emetine or a placebo (a pill with no active medication) for seven days and will have daily check-ups to assess their health and collect blood samples for testing. It’s important to note that certain people, such as those over 65, pregnant women, or those with specific medical conditions, will not be eligible to join the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18 to 65 years
• • 2. Admitted to the hospital
• • 3. Laboratory-confirmed infection with dengue virus within the last 5 days and preferably within the last 3 days. Testing for dengue virus using positive Nonstructural protein 1(NS1) strip assay or reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
• • 4. Having two or more clinical symptoms (fever, headache, retro-orbital pain, myalgia, arthralgia, rash, hemorrhagic manifestations, or leucopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms) with the onset of fever within 72 hours of presentation, and
• • 5. Able to provide voluntary informed consent and comply with all study procedures and visits.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age ≥65 years
• • 2. Pregnant or breastfeeding
• • 3. Current or recent use of the study drug
• • 4. Known allergy to study drug
• • 5. Current or planned participation in another pharmacological interventional trial in the next 10 days
• • 6. Participants with known past history of dengue infection
• • 7. Participants on aspirin, anticoagulants, or with other conditions that might increase the risk of bleeding
• • 8. Participants on immunosuppressive agents, including long-term steroids
• • 9. Severe dengue as defined by the WHO 2009 revised case classification.
• • 10. Individuals with long-term immunosuppressive agents such as anti-cancer chemotherapy or radiation therapy within the past 6 months, or those on systemic corticosteroid therapy
• • 11. History of prior vaccination against dengue fever within one year.
• • 12. Patients who have recently used ayurvedic or herbal medications for dengue or any other conditions in the last 7 days (eg, Papaya leaf extract)