Low-dose sirolimus for adults with Long COVID (PASC)
Official title: Low Dose Sirolimus in People With Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) Long COVID-19
Run by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT06960928 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether low-dose sirolimus can reduce symptoms in adults who have had Long COVID for at least six months.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 18, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | May 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 18, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06960928 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with a physician diagnosis of Long COVID, at least six months of qualifying symptoms including moderate fatigue and post-exertional malaise, and who can attend all Mount Sinai study visits are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with less than six months since acute infection, without moderate fatigue or PEM, or with contraindications to sirolimus are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-ascending trial conducted at the Cohen Center for Recovery from Complex Chronic Illness at Mount Sinai in New York. Adults with physician-diagnosed Long COVID of at least six months duration who meet symptom thresholds for fatigue and post-exertional malaise are randomized to low-dose sirolimus or placebo. The study uses patient-reported outcome measures to determine symptomatic benefit over the treatment period and includes scheduled clinic visits and laboratory monitoring. The intervention is given off-label under an IND-exempt protocol with safety and efficacy comparisons between the two arms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, low-dose sirolimus could lessen fatigue and other persistent Long COVID symptoms and improve daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Use of mTOR inhibitors like sirolimus for Long COVID is largely novel with limited prior clinical data, though there is some mechanistic rationale from other conditions.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
* Any sex, aged 18+
* Must be able to attend all study visits located at 5 East 98th St, New York, NY
* Diagnosed with:
* Long COVID
* Documented clinical history of confirmed or suspected acute SARS-CoV-2 infection a minimum of 6 months prior to contact with the study team
* Formal diagnosis of Long COVID from a physician
* At least a six-month history of one of the following symptoms following SARSCoV-2 infection:
* headache, memory loss, insomnia, mood disturbance, chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, cough, muscle pains, joint pains, or GI upset
* AND at least moderate fatigue (measured by Fatigue Severity Score)
* AND at least moderate post-exertional malaise (PEM) (measured by DePaul PEM screener)
* Participants who are willing and able to comply with all data collection, treatment plan, laboratory tests, lifestyle considerations, and other study procedures.
* Baseline EQ-VAS ≤70; EQ-VAS before the index infection ≥80 (this information is collected before randomization as part of the baseline survey)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pre-existing conditions including, but not limited to:
* Autoimmune conditions such as Chronic EBV, Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto's Disease, etc. which would impact the immunological profiling analysis.
* A pre-2020 diagnosis of another Post-Acute Infectious Syndrome such as Chronic Lyme disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, etc.
* Documented history of vaccine injury
* History of lung or liver transplant
* Known hepatic or renal impairment
* Weighing less than 40 kg
* Or any other chronic condition that has the potential to impact on immunological profiling, at the discretion of the research physician
* Current use of sirolimus
* Taking a medication with known interactions to sirolimus:
* Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors - clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazodone, itraconazole, ketoconazole, atazanavir, darunavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, such that dose reduction may be necessary
* Strong CYP3A4 Inducers - carbamazepine, dexamethasone, ethosuximide, glucocorticoids, griseofulvin, phenytoin, primidone, progesterone, rifabutin, rifampin, nafcillin, nelfinavir, nevirapine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, rofecoxib (mild), St John's wort, sulfadimidine, sulfinpyrazone, troglitazone, and grapefruit, such that dose increase may be necessary.
* Drugs that may increase concentration when given with sirolimus - Verapamil, such that dose reduction may be necessary
* Other drugs that have the potential to increase sirolimus blood concentrations include (but are not limited to): fluconazole, clotrimazole, troleandomycin, nicardipine, cisapride, and metoclopramide
* Concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may increase the risk of developing angioedema.
* Febrile illness within the last 3 months of planned baseline evaluation
* Treatment with another investigational drug or other investigational intervention within 3 months of planned baseline evaluation
* Prophylactic use of aspirin (325 mg daily) for cardiovascular indications will be permitted in participants. All other medications for chronic medical conditions should be initiated at least two months prior to enrollment.
* Uncontrolled diabetes, unstable ischemic heart disease, clinically significant underlying pulmonary disease, history of an immunodeficiency or receiving immunosuppressive therapy; history of coagulopathy or medication condition requiring long-term anticoagulation; history of hepatic impairment; taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
* Participants who are planning to be or are pregnant
* Participants who are nursing
Where it's running
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: David Putrino, PT, PhD — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: David Putrino, PT, PhD
- Email: coreresearch@mountsinai.org
- Phone: 212-241-7658
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Anktiva for treating Long COVID symptoms
This will test whether Anktiva helps adults aged 18–69 who had confirmed COVID-19 and now have persistent or worsened Long COVID symptoms.
-
Online treatment for emotional disorders in adults with long COVID-19
This study is testing if an online treatment for emotional issues can help adults with long COVID-19 feel better compared to regular care.
-
Investigating neurological complications of long COVID in children and adolescents
This study is trying to understand how long COVID affects the brains of children and teens aged 6 to 16 by looking at their symptoms and brain activity after they've had the virus.
-
Rehabilitation program to reduce fatigue after COVID-19
This study is testing a new rehabilitation program called COVIDEx to see if it can help people with Long COVID feel less tired compared to standard care.
-
Investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 on male and female reproductive health
This study is trying to see how COVID-19 affects the reproductive health and sexual function of men and women after they recover from the virus.
-
Investigating long-term effects of COVID-19 recovery
This study is trying to see what long-term health problems people might have after recovering from COVID-19.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.