How Long Should we Give Steroids for Patients With Severe PCP
Starting soon · Phase 4
Conditions studied: Pneumocystis Pneumonia, Pneumocystis, Pneumocystis Jirovecii Infection, Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia, Pneumocystis Carinii; Infection, Resulting From HIV Disease, Pneumocystosis Associated With AIDS, Pneumocystosis; Pneumonia (Etiology)
In brief
The HOW LONG trial is an international, multicenter, Phase IV randomized clinical trial evaluating the optimal duration of adjunctive systemic corticosteroids in immunocompromised adults with severe Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) who demonstrate early clinical recovery. Participants who no longer require supplemental oxygen by day 10 of corticosteroid therapy are randomized to discontinue corticosteroids at day 10 (or hospital discharge, if earlier) versus continue corticosteroids for a total of 21 days. The trial assesses whether earlier discontinuation reduces steroid-related complications while maintaining clinical outcomes.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07328984
- Run by
- McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- People needed
- 416
- Starts
- 2026-01-30
- Expected to finish
- 2029-06-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-01-09
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Age ≥18 years
- Proven or probable Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia
- Severe PCP requiring supplemental oxygen (e.g., ≥4 L/min or ≥35% FiO₂ to maintain SpO₂ ≥94%)
- Planned or receiving adjunctive systemic corticosteroid therapy for severe PCP
- Clinical recovery by day 10 of steroid therapy: breathing room air for ≥6 hours
- Able to provide informed consent (or per local requirements)
You may not qualify if…
- Persistent hypoxemia or ongoing oxygen requirement at day 10
- Clinical deterioration prior to randomization
- Treating clinician determines steroids must be continued or stopped immediately for medical reasons
- Anticipated death within 48 hours
- Inability or unwillingness to complete follow-up through day 180
Where it is running
- McGill university Health Centre (Royal victoria Hospital and Montreal General Hospital — Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.