Safety and efficacy of ampreloxetine in symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: a phase 2 trial.

PURPOSE: In neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure falls when upright owing to impaired release of norepinephrine, leading to dizziness. Ampreloxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, increases circulating norepinephrine levels. This study explored the safety of ampreloxetine and its effect on blood pressure and symptoms in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. METHODS: A multicenter ascending-dose trial (range 1-20 mg, Part A) was followed by a 1 day, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study (median dose 15 mg, Part B). Eligible patients then enrolled in a 20-week, open-label, steady-state extension phase (median dose 10 mg, Part C) followed by a 4-week withdrawal. Assessments included the Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment Scale (item 1), supine/seated/standing blood pressure, and safety. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (age 66 ± 8 years, 22 men) were enrolled. Part A: The proportion of participants with a positive response (i.e., increase from baseline in seated systolic blood pressure of ≥ 10 mmHg) was greater with the 5 and 10 mg ampreloxetine doses than with placebo or other active ampreloxetine doses. Part B: Seated blood pressure increased 15.7 mmHg 4 h after ampreloxetine and decreased 14.2 mmHg after placebo [least squares mean difference (95% CI) 29.9 mmHg (7.6-52.3); P = 0.0112]. Part C: Symptoms of dizziness/lightheadedness improved 3.1 ± 3.0 points from baseline and standing systolic blood pressure increased 11 ± 12 mmHg. After 4 weeks of withdrawal, symptoms returned to pretreatment levels. The effect of ampreloxetine on supine blood pressure was minimal throughout treatment duration. CONCLUSION: Ampreloxetine was well tolerated and improved orthostatic symptoms and seated/standing blood pressure with little change in supine blood pressure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02705755 (first posted March 10, 2016).

Efficacy of revefenacin, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist for nebulized therapy, in patients with markers of more severe COPD: a post hoc subgroup analysis.

BACKGROUND: Revefenacin, a once-daily, long-acting muscarinic antagonist delivered via standard jet nebulizer, increased trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in prior phase 3 trials. We evaluated the efficacy of revefenacin in patients with markers of more severe COPD. METHODS: A post hoc subgroup analysis of two replicate, randomized, phase 3 trials was conducted over 12 weeks. Endpoints included least squares change from baseline in trough FEV1, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) responders, and transition dyspnea index (TDI) responders at Day 85. This analysis included patient subgroups at high risk for COPD exacerbations and compared patients who received revefenacin 175 µg and placebo: severe and very severe airflow limitation (percent predicted FEV1 30%-< 50% and < 30%), 2011 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) D, reversibility (≥ 12% and ≥ 200 mL increase in FEV1) to short-acting bronchodilators, concurrent use of long-acting ß agonists and/or inhaled corticosteroids, older age (> 65 and > 75 years), and comorbidity risk factors. RESULTS: Revefenacin demonstrated significant improvements in FEV1 versus placebo at Day 85 among the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and all subgroups. Additionally, there was a greater number of SGRQ and TDI responders in the ITT population and the majority of subgroups analyzed among patients who received revefenacin versus placebo. For the SGRQ responders, the odds of response (odds ratio > 2.0) were significantly greater in the revefenacin arm versus the placebo arm among the severe airflow obstruction, very severe airflow obstruction and 2011 GOLD D subgroups. For the TDI responders, the odds of response (odds ratio > 2.0) were significantly greater among the severe airflow obstruction subgroup and patients aged > 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: Revefenacin showed significantly greater improvements in FEV1 versus placebo in the ITT population and all subgroups. Furthermore, there were a greater number of SGRQ and TDI responders in the ITT population, and in the majority of patient subgroups among patients who received revefenacin versus placebo. Based on the data presented, revefenacin could be a therapeutic option among patients with markers of more severe COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (Studies 0126 [NCT02459080; prospectively registered 22 May 2015] and 0127 [NCT02512510; prospectively registered 28 July 2015]).

Maintained therapeutic effect of revefenacin over 52 weeks in moderate to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

BACKGROUND: Revefenacin is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist that was recently approved for the nebulized treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although shorter duration studies have documented the efficacy of revefenacin in COPD, longer-term efficacy has not been described. In a recent 52-week safety trial, revefenacin was well tolerated and had a favorable benefit-risk profile. Here we report exploratory efficacy and health outcomes in patients receiving revefenacin 175 µg or 88 µg daily during the 52-week trial. METHODS: In this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 175 µg or 88 µg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium. RESULTS: Over the 52-week treatment period, both doses of revefenacin, as well as tiotropium, elicited significant (all p < 0.0003) improvements from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). The trough FEV1 profile (least squares mean change from baseline) for revefenacin 175 µg ranged from 52.3-124.3 mL and the trough FEV1 profile for tiotropium ranged from 79.7-112.8 mL. In subgroup comparisons, the effect of revefenacin on trough FEV1 was comparable in patients taking concomitant long-acting ß-agonists, with or without inhaled corticosteroids, with patients who were not taking these medications. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in all measured health status outcomes (evaluated using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, Clinical COPD Questionnaire and Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Index) from 3 months onward, in all treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: Significant sustained improvements from baseline in trough FEV1 and respiratory health outcomes were demonstrated for 175-µg revefenacin over 52 weeks, further supporting its use as a once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of patients with COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02518139 ; Registered 5 August 2015.

Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and safety of revefenacin (TD-4208), a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Results of two randomized, double-blind, phase 2 studies.

BACKGROUND: Revefenacin (TD-4208) is a potent, lung-selective, long-acting muscarinic antagonist currently in development as a once-daily nebulized therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated the pharmacodynamics (bronchodilator activity), pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of single- and multiple-dose administrations of revefenacin in two clinical trials (Study 0059 and Study 0091) in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS: In Study 0059, 32 patients were randomized to receive a single dose of revefenacin (350 or 700 µg), active control ipratropium (500 µg) or placebo inhalation solution administered via standard jet nebulizer in a double-blind, crossover fashion. In Study 0091, 59 patients were randomized to receive once-daily inhalations of revefenacin (22, 44, 88, 175, 350 or 700 µg) or placebo for 7 days in a double-blind, incomplete block, five-way crossover design. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in peak (0-6 h) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in Study 0059, and trough FEV1 after the final dose (Day 7) in Study 0091. In both studies, secondary endpoints included area under the FEV1-time curve (FEV1 AUC) values from time 12-24 h post dose and FEV1 AUC values from time zero to 24 h post dose. RESULTS: Revefenacin demonstrated a rapid onset and sustained duration of bronchodilator action in both studies. In Study 0059, mean peak FEV1 was significantly higher (p < 0.001) for revefenacin and ipratropium compared to placebo, with differences of 176.8 mL for 350 µg revefenacin, 162.2 mL for 700 µg revefenacin and 190.6 mL for ipratropium. In Study 0091, mean trough FEV1 on Day 7 was significantly higher (p < 0.006) for all revefenacin doses compared to placebo, with differences ranging from 53.5 mL (22 µg dose) to 114.2 mL (175 µg dose). The results for the other spirometry endpoints were consistent with the primary endpoint for each study, demonstrating that the bronchodilator effect of revefenacin lasted more than 24 h following nebulized administration. Revefenacin was rapidly absorbed and extensively metabolized, followed by a slow apparent terminal elimination and minimal accumulation with repeated dosing. In both studies, adverse events were generally mild and occurred with similar frequencies in all groups, with no indication of significant systemic anti-muscarinic activity at any dose. CONCLUSIONS: Following single or multiple nebulized-dose administration in patients with COPD, revefenacin demonstrates a rapid onset and sustained duration of bronchodilator effect over 24 h following once-daily administration, with a PK profile that is commensurate with low systemic exposure.

A 28-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of nebulized revefenacin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Revefenacin is a once-daily long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) in clinical development for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a dose-ranging study, nebulized once-daily revefenacin had a long duration of action in patients after 7 days' administration of doses up to 700 µg. In this multiple-dose study, the bronchodilation efficacy and adverse events profile were characterized in patients administered nebulized revefenacin once daily for 28 days. METHODS: A total of 355 COPD patients (mean age 62 years, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] 44% of predicted) were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Inhaled corticosteroids as well as short-acting bronchodilators were permitted. Once-daily treatments (44, 88, 175 or 350 µg revefenacin or matching placebo) were administered by a standard jet nebulizer, for 28 days. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in D28 trough FEV1, and secondary endpoints included weighted mean FEV1 over 0 to 24 h and rescue medication (albuterol) use. Safety evaluations included adverse events, laboratory assessments, electrocardiograms and 24-h Holter profiles. RESULTS: Revefenacin (88, 175 and 350 µg) significantly improved D28 trough FEV1 over placebo (187.4, 166.6 and 170.6 mL, respectively, all p < 0.001); 44 µg produced a sub-therapeutic response. At doses ≥88 µg, more than 80% of patients achieved at least a 100-mL increase from baseline FEV1 in the first 4 h post dose compared with 33% of placebo patients. For doses ≥88 µg, D28 24 h weighted mean differences from placebo for FEV1 were numerically similar to respective trough FEV1 values, indicating bronchodilation was sustained for 24 h post dose. Doses ≥88 µg reduced the average number of albuterol puffs/day by more than one puff/day. The 350 µg dose did not demonstrate additional efficacy over that observed with 175 µg revefenacin. Revefenacin was generally well tolerated, with minimal reports of systemic anti-cholinergic effects. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that 88 and 175 µg revefenacin are appropriate doses for use in longer-term safety and efficacy trials. Revefenacin offers the potential for the first once-daily LAMA for nebulization in patients with COPD who require or prefer a nebulized drug delivery option. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02040792 . Registered January 16, 2014.

The Study to Understand Mortality and Morbidity in COPD (SUMMIT) study protocol.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often coexists with other chronic diseases and comorbidities that can markedly influence patients' health status and prognosis. This is particularly true for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there have been no trials assessing the effect of COPD medications on CVD in patients with both diseases. The "Study to Understand Mortality and Morbidity in COPD" (SUMMIT) aims at determining the impact of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol combination and the individual components on the survival of patients with moderate COPD and either a history of CVD or at increased risk for CVD. SUMMIT is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial of 16 000 patients with moderate COPD randomly assigned to once daily treatment with fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (100/25 µg), fluticasone furoate (100 µg), vilanterol (25 µg) or matched placebo; mortality is the primary end-point. The study is an event-driven trial powered by the comparison of furoate/vilanterol versus placebo. Secondary end-points are decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s and effect on a composite cardiovascular end-point. This article describes the design of the SUMMIT study.

Efficacy and safety of an inhaled pan-Janus kinase inhibitor, nezulcitinib, in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: results from a phase 2 clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The inhaled lung-selective pan-Janus kinase inhibitor nezulcitinib had favourable safety and potential efficacy signals in part 1 of a phase 2 trial in patients with severe COVID-19, supporting progression to part 2. METHODS: Part 2 was a randomised, double-blind phase 2 study (NCT04402866). Hospitalised patients aged 18-80 years with confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 requiring supplemental oxygen (excluding baseline invasive mechanical ventilation) were randomised 1:1 to nebulised nezulcitinib 3 mg or placebo for up to 7 days with background standard-of-care therapy (including corticosteroids). Efficacy endpoints included respiratory failure-free (RFF) days through day 28 as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included safety and change from baseline oxygen saturation (SaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio on day 7, and 28-day mortality rate was a prespecified exploratory endpoint. RESULTS: Between June 2020 and April 2021, 205 patients were treated (nezulcitinib, 103; placebo, 102). There was no statistically significant difference between nezulcitinib versus placebo in the primary endpoint (RFF days; median, 21.0 vs 21.0; p=0.6137) or secondary efficacy endpoints. Nezulcitinib was generally well tolerated with a favourable safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prespecified primary, secondary and exploratory efficacy endpoints, including RFF through day 28, change from baseline SaO2/FiO2 ratio on day 7, and 28-day mortality rate, were not met, nezulcitinib was generally well tolerated and had a favourable safety profile. Further studies are required to determine if treatment with nezulcitinib confers clinical benefit in specific inflammatory biomarker-defined populations of patients with COVID-19.

Fluticasone furoate demonstrates efficacy in patients with asthma symptomatic on medium doses of inhaled corticosteroid therapy: an 8-week, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fluticasone furoate (FF) is a novel inhaled corticosteroid with 24 h activity. FF is being developed as a once-daily treatment in combination with the long-acting ß(2) agonist vilanterol trifenatate for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimal dose(s) of FF for treating patients with asthma. METHODS: An 8-week multicentre, randomised, double-blind study. 627 patients with persistent moderate-to-severe asthma, symptomatic on medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid therapy, were randomised to placebo, FF 200, 400, 600 or 800 µg (once daily in the evening using a novel dry powder inhaler), or fluticasone propionate 500 µg twice daily (via Diskus™/Accuhaler™). The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline in pre-dose evening forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)). Other endpoints included morning and evening peak expiratory flow, and rescue/symptom-free 24 h periods. RESULTS: Each dose was significantly superior to placebo for the primary endpoint (p<0.001) with efficacy at least similar to that reported with fluticasone propionate. There was no dose-response relationship across the FF doses studied. Peak expiratory flow improved in all groups (p<0.001 vs placebo), and there were significant treatment effects on rescue/symptom-free 24 h periods with all active treatments. FF was generally well tolerated. The incidence of oral candidiasis was higher with FF 800 µg than placebo; pharmacokinetic and 24 h urinary cortisol analyses confirmed a higher systemic exposure of FF at this highest dose level. CONCLUSIONS: FF doses <800 µg have a favourable therapeutic index. The absence of an efficacy dose response suggests that 200 µg is an appropriate dose in patients with moderate persistent asthma. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00603746.

24-h duration of the novel LABA vilanterol trifenatate in asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids.

Current guidelines recommend adding a long-acting inhaled ß(2)-agonist (LABA) to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with uncontrolled asthma. This study evaluated the novel, once-daily LABA vilanterol trifenatate (VI) in asthma patients who remained symptomatic despite existing ICS therapy. The study involved a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of VI (3, 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 µg), administered once daily in the evening by dry powder inhaler for 28 days, in asthma patients aged ≥ 12 yrs symptomatic on current ICS therapy. The primary end-point was trough (24 h post-dose) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)); secondary end-points were weighted mean FEV(1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptom-/rescue-free 24-h periods, and safety. A significant relationship was observed between VI dose and improvements in trough FEV(1) (p=0.037). Statistically significant increases in mean trough FEV(1), relative to placebo, were documented for VI 12.5-50 µg (121-162 mL; p ≤ 0.016). Dose-related effects of VI were observed on weighted mean (0-24 h) FEV(1), morning/evening PEF, and symptom-/rescue-free 24-h periods. All doses of VI were well tolerated with low incidences of recognised LABA-related adverse events (tremor 0-2%; palpitations 0-2%; glucose effects 0-1%; potassium effects 0-<1%). Once-daily VI 12.5-50 µg resulted in prolonged bronchodilation of at least 24 h with good tolerability in asthma patients receiving ICS. Based on the overall efficacy and adverse event profile from this study, the optimum dose of VI appears to be 25 µg.

Once-daily fluticasone furoate is efficacious in patients with symptomatic asthma on low-dose inhaled corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Fluticasone furoate (FF) is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with 24-hour activity in development as a once-daily treatment for the long-term management of asthma. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of 4 doses of once-daily FF administered using a dry powder inhaler in patients (≥12 years) with moderate asthma, uncontrolled on low-dose ICS (fluticasone propionate [FP] 200 µg/day or equivalent). METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study randomized 622 patients to 1 of 6 treatments: FF (100, 200, 300, or 400 µg) once daily in the evening, FP 250 µg twice daily (active control), or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in predose evening forced expiratory colume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 8. RESULTS: At week 8, relative to placebo, all doses of FF once daily and FP twice daily demonstrated significantly (P < .001) greater increases from baseline and greater than 200-mL increases in predose FEV1. There was no evidence of a dose-response relationship between FF doses. Improvement with once-daily FF was similar to or greater than that for twice-daily FP. Secondary efficacy endpoint findings generally supported the efficacy of FF 100 to 400 µg once daily, although statistically significant improvements versus placebo in symptom-free 24-hour periods were only reported for FF 400 µg. There were few withdrawals due to lack of efficacy. Oral candidiasis was reported in 0 to 4% of patients; 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion ratios were similar across active treatment groups and not significantly different from placebo. CONCLUSION: FF 100 to 400 µg once daily in the evening is effective and well tolerated in patients with asthma uncontrolled on low-dose ICS, with 100 µg and 200 µg, considered the most applicable doses in this asthma population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00603278.

Efficacy in asthma of once-daily treatment with fluticasone furoate: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fluticasone furoate (FF) is a novel long-acting inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study evaluated the efficacy and safety of FF 200 mcg or 400 mcg once daily, either in the morning or in the evening, and FF 200 mcg twice daily (morning and evening), for 8 weeks in patients with persistent asthma. METHODS: Asthma patients maintained on ICS for ≥ 3 months with baseline morning forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) 50-80% of predicted normal value and FEV(1) reversibility of ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 ml were eligible. The primary endpoint was mean change from baseline FEV(1) at week 8 in pre-dose (morning or evening [depending on regimen], pre-rescue bronchodilator) FEV(1). RESULTS: A total of 545 patients received one of five FF treatment groups and 101 patients received placebo (intent-to-treat population). Each of the five FF treatment groups produced a statistically significant improvement in pre-dose FEV(1) compared with placebo (p < 0.05). FF 400 mcg once daily in the evening and FF 200 mcg twice daily produced similar placebo-adjusted improvements in evening pre-dose FEV(1) at week 8 (240 ml vs. 235 ml). FF 400 mcg once daily in the morning, although effective, resulted in a smaller improvement in morning pre-dose FEV(1) than FF 200 mcg twice daily at week 8 (315 ml vs. 202 ml). The incidence of oral candidiasis was low (0-4%) and UC excretion was comparable with placebo for all FF groups. CONCLUSIONS: FF at total daily doses of 200 mcg or 400 mcg was significantly more effective than placebo. FF 400 mcg once daily in the evening had similar efficacy to FF 200 mcg twice daily and all FF regimens had a safety tolerability profile generally similar to placebo. This indicates that inhaled FF is an effective and well tolerated once-daily treatment for mild-to-moderate asthma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00398645.

Fluticasone furoate: once-daily evening treatment versus twice-daily treatment in moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids are the recommended first-line treatment for asthma but adherence to therapy is suboptimal. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily (OD) evening and twice-daily (BD) regimens of the novel inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone furoate (FF) in asthma patients. METHODS: Patients with moderate asthma (age ≥ 12 years; pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 40-85% predicted; FEV1 reversibility of ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 ml) were randomized to FF or fluticasone propionate (FP) regimens in a double-blind, crossover study. Patients were not permitted to have used any ICS for ≥ 8 weeks prior to enrolment and subsequently received doses of FF or FP 200 µg OD, FF or FP 100 µg BD and matching placebo by inhalation for 28 days each. Primary endpoint was Day 28 evening pre-dose (trough) FEV1; non-inferiority of FF 200 µg OD and FF 100 µg BD was assessed, as was superiority of all active treatment relative to placebo. Adverse events (AEs) and 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion were assessed. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population comprised 147 (FF) and 43 (FP) patients. On Day 28, pre-dose FEV1 showed FF 200 µg OD to be non-inferior (pre-defined limit -110 ml) to FF 100 µg BD (mean treatment difference 11 ml; 95% CI: -35 to +56 ml); all FF and FP regimens were significantly superior to placebo (p ≤ 0.02). AEs were similar to placebo; no serious AEs were reported. Urinary cortisol excretion at Day 28 for FF was lower than placebo (ratios: 200 µg OD, 0.75; 100 µg BD, 0.84; p ≤ 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: FF 200 µg OD in the evening is an efficacious and well tolerated treatment for asthma patients and is not inferior to the same total BD dose. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00766090.

Data on the safety and tolerability of revefenacin, in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This article contains information on the experimental design and methods on how the safety and tolerability data concerning patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were obtained. This is in addition to our original research article. [1] We have also provided information on the clinical laboratory tests that were conducted. Further interpretation and discussion of the data are demonstrated in the article "Revefenacin, a Once-daily, Lung-selective, Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist for Nebulized Therapy: Safety and Tolerability Results of a 52-week Phase 3 Trial in Moderate to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." [1].

Improvements in Lung Function with Nebulized Revefenacin in the Treatment of Patients with Moderate to Very Severe COPD: Results from Two Replicate Phase III Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Revefenacin, a novel, lung-selective, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, has been developed for nebulized therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We present the results of replicate Phase III efficacy and safety studies of revefenacin in patients with moderate to very severe COPD. METHODS: In 2 double-blind, parallel-group studies, (Study 0126 and Study 0127), patients ≥ 40 years old were randomized to revefenacin 88 µg, revefenacin 175 µg or placebo administered once daily by standard jet nebulizer for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was 24-hour trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) on day 85. Secondary efficacy endpoints included overall treatment effect (OTE) on trough FEV1 and peak FEV1 (0-2 hours after first dose). Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events. RESULTS: At day 85, revefenacin 88 µg and 175 µg improved trough FEV1 versus placebo in Study 0126 (by 79 mL [p=0.0003] and 146 mL [p<0.0001]) and Study 0127 (by 160 mL and 147 mL; both p<0.0001). Compared with placebo, pooled data of revefenacin 88 µg and 175 µg increased OTE trough FEV1 by 115 mL and 142 mL (both p<0.001) and increased peak FEV1 by 127 mL and 129 mL (both p<0.0001). Revefenacin 175 µg demonstrated greater improvements in FEV1 in concomitant long-acting beta2-agonist patients and in more severe patients than revefenacin 88 µg. Adverse events were minor. CONCLUSION: Revefenacin, administered once daily for 12 weeks to patients with moderate to very severe COPD, demonstrated clinically significant improvements in trough FEV1 and OTE FEV1. Revefenacin was generally well tolerated with no major safety concerns.

Revefenacin, a once-daily, lung-selective, long-acting muscarinic antagonist for nebulized therapy: Safety and tolerability results of a 52-week phase 3 trial in moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Prior replicate 12-week phase 3 trials demonstrated that once-daily doses of revefenacin inhalation solution at 88 µg and 175 µg produced significant bronchodilation over 24 h post dose in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective was to characterize the safety profile of revefenacin 88 µg and 175 µg over 52 weeks of treatment. METHODS: In this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 88 µg or 175 µg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium. RESULTS: Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were comparable across all treatment groups (n [%] patients; revefenacin 88 µg, 272 [74.7%]; 175 µg, 242 [72.2%]; tiotropium, 275 [77.2%]). Numerically fewer COPD exacerbations (n [%] patients) were observed with revefenacin 175 µg (73 [21.8%]) than with 88 µg (107 [29.4%]) or tiotropium (100 [28.1%]). Serious AEs were comparable with revefenacin 88 µg (58 [15.9%] and tiotropium (58 [16.3%]), but were lower with revefenacin 175 µg (43 [12.8%]), and mortality was low. In patients using revefenacin 88 µg or tiotropium with a concurrent long-acting ß-agonist (LABA) product, the incidence of AEs was slightly higher than without concurrent LABA. LABA did not affect the incidence of AEs for patients who received revefenacin 175 µg. CONCLUSIONS: Revefenacin was generally well tolerated over 52 weeks of treatment, and had a safety profile that supports its use as a long-term once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of COPD.

Efficacy and optimal dosing interval of the long-acting beta2 agonist, vilanterol, in persistent asthma: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Vilanterol (VI) is a novel once-daily long-acting beta2 agonist with inherent 24-h activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three once-daily doses and one twice-daily dose of VI used concurrently with ICS in adult patients (≥18 years) with persistent asthma. Safety was also assessed. METHODS: Multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, five-period crossover study consisting of 7-day treatment periods separated by 7-day wash-out periods. Seventy-five patients, maintained on ICS, received VI 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mcg once-daily (evening), VI 6.25 mcg twice-daily (morning/evening), and placebo. The primary endpoint was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (mean of 23 h and 24 h post evening dose) on Day 7; secondary endpoint was weighted mean 24-h serial FEV(1) on Day 7. RESULTS: All VI groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in trough FEV(1) versus placebo (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in weighted mean 24-h FEV(1) for each VI group versus placebo (p < 0.001). The effects of once-daily VI on trough FEV(1) and weighted mean 24-h FEV(1) were dose dependent. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was low in each VI treatment group and was not dose dependent (5-9%; placebo = 18%); no drug-related AEs or serious AEs were reported. CONCLUSION: Once-daily treatment with VI was well tolerated and associated with improvements in lung function. The VI 6.25 mcg twice-daily dose showed the greatest change in trough FEV(1), however, similar changes in weighted mean 24-h FEV(1) with VI 12.5 mcg once-daily were observed. Although our study was not powered to demonstrate non-inferiority of once- versus twice-daily dosing of VI, the data suggest no advantage over a 24-h period of twice-daily over once-daily dosing for the same total daily dose. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00980200.

The efficacy and safety of the novel long-acting ß2 agonist vilanterol in patients with COPD: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Vilanterol (GW642444M) (VI) is a novel, inhaled, long-acting ß(2) agonist with inherent 24-h activity under development as a once-daily combination therapy with an inhaled corticosteroid for COPD and asthma. This study assessed the dose response, efficacy, and safety of VI at doses of 3 to 50 µg in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS: Six hundred two patients (intent-to-treat) were randomized (double-blind) to VI 3, 6.25, 12.5, 25, or 50 µg or placebo once daily for 28 days. The primary end point was change from baseline in trough FEV1 at the end of the 28-day treatment period. Secondary end points included 0- to 24-h weighted mean FEV(1) on days 1 and 28 and time to increases of ≥ 100 mL or ≥ 12% from baseline FEV(1) on day 1. Safety assessments included adverse events, vital signs, ECG assessment, and clinical laboratory tests. RESULTS: VI once daily for 28 days significantly improved trough FEV(1) in a dose-dependent manner vs placebo. Clinically relevant treatment differences of ≥ 130 mL in trough and 0- to 24-h weighted mean FEV(1) were observed with VI 25- and 50-µg doses vs placebo. All doses of VI were associated with a low incidence of treatment-related adverse events/serious adverse events, with no suggestion of effects on BP, pulse rate, QT intervals corrected for heart rate calculated by Fridericia formula, or blood glucose and potassium levels. CONCLUSIONS: VI 25 and 50 µg once daily provided both statistically and clinically relevant 24-h improvements in lung function in patients with COPD compared with placebo. All doses of VI had a safety and tolerability profile similar to placebo.

Dose effect of once-daily fluticasone furoate in persistent asthma: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: This randomized, double-blind, multicenter study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled once-daily fluticasone furoate (FF) administered in the evening in patients with persistent asthma not controlled by short-acting beta(2) agonists, and to determine the dose(s) suitable for further development. METHODS: Of 1459 patients screened, 598 received one of six treatments: placebo, FF (25 µg, 50 µg, 100 µg or 200 µg) once daily each evening, or fluticasone propionate (FP) 100 µg twice daily for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in pre-dose evening forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)). RESULTS: A dose-response effect was observed for once-daily FF 25-200 µg including (p < 0.001) and excluding placebo (p = 0.03). FF 50-200 µg once daily significantly increased FEV(1) from baseline (p < 0.05 vs placebo), by >200 mL for FF 100 µg and 200 µg. Significant improvements were also achieved for peak expiratory flow, and percentage symptom-free and rescue-free 24 h periods. The magnitude of effect was at least as good as twice-daily FP. Overall, once-daily FF was well tolerated with no systemic corticosteroid effects. CONCLUSION: FF 50-200 µg/day once daily in the evening demonstrated dose-related efficacy in asthma with 100-200 µg appearing to be the optimal doses for further evaluation. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00603382.

Evaluation of an ambulatory system for the quantification of cough frequency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: To date, methods used to assess cough have been primarily subjective, and only broadly reflect the impact of chronic cough and/or chronic cough therapies on quality of life. Objective assessment of cough has been attempted, but early techniques were neither ambulatory nor feasible for long-term data collection. We evaluated a novel ambulatory cardio-respiratory monitoring system with an integrated unidirectional, contact microphone, and report here the results from a study of patients with COPD who were videotaped in a quasi-controlled environment for 24 continuous hours while wearing the ambulatory system. METHODS: Eight patients with a documented history of COPD with ten or more years of smoking (6 women; age 57.4 +/- 11.8 yrs.; percent predicted FEV1 49.6 +/- 13.7%) who complained of cough were evaluated in a clinical research unit equipped with video and sound recording capabilities. All patients wore the LifeShirt system (LS) while undergoing simultaneous video (with sound) surveillance. Video data were visually inspected and annotated to indicate all cough events. Raw physiologic data records were visually inspected by technicians who remained blinded to the video data. Cough events from LS were analyzed quantitatively with a specialized software algorithm to identify cough. The output of the software algorithm was compared to video records on a per event basis in order to determine the validity of the LS system to detect cough in COPD patients. RESULTS: Video surveillance identified a total of 3,645 coughs, while LS identified 3,363 coughs during the same period. The median cough rate per patient was 21.3 coughs.hr-1 (Range: 10.1 cghs.hr(-1) - 59.9 cghs.hr(-1)). The overall accuracy of the LS system was 99.0%. Overall sensitivity and specificity of LS, when compared to video surveillance, were 0.781 and 0.996, respectively, while positive- and negative-predictive values were 0.846 and 0.994. There was very good agreement between the LS system and video (kappa = 0.807). CONCLUSION: The LS system demonstrated a high level of accuracy and agreement when compared to video surveillance for the measurement of cough in patients with COPD.