Dose-Ranging and Cumulative Dose Studies of Albuterol Sulfate MDI in Co-Suspension Delivery™ Technology (AS MDI; PT007) in Patients with Asthma: the ASPEN and ANTORA Trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Co-suspension Delivery™ Technology has been developed for the administration of albuterol sulfate pressurised inhalation suspension via metered-dose inhaler (AS MDI, PT007). We assessed the efficacy and safety of AS MDI versus Proventil® in order to determine the optimal dose of AS MDI to take to Phase III clinical trials. METHODS: ASPEN (NCT03371459) and ANTORA (NCT03364608) were Phase II, randomised, crossover, multicentre studies of AS MDI versus Proventil® in patients with persistent asthma. In ASPEN, 46 patients received cumulative-dose treatments (90 µg/inhalation using 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 8 inhalations at 30-minute intervals) in 1 of 2 possible sequences: AS MDI/Proventil or Proventil/AS MDI. In ANTORA, 86 patients were randomised to one of 10 treatment sequences of AS MDI (90 µg or 180 µg), placebo MDI, or Proventil (90 µg or 180 µg). The primary endpoints were baseline-adjusted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 30 minutes after each cumulative dose (ASPEN) and change from baseline in FEV1 area under the curve from 0 to 6 h (ANTORA). Safety was assessed in both studies. RESULTS: In ASPEN, AS MDI was equivalent to Proventil (within pre-specified bounds of ± 200 mL) following cumulative doses of albuterol up to 1440 µg for the primary endpoint. In ANTORA, 90 µg and 180 µg doses of AS MDI and Proventil were significantly superior to placebo MDI (p < 0.0001), and AS MDI was non-inferior to Proventil at both doses, based on a margin of 100 mL. No new safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSION: The effects of albuterol delivered via AS MDI and Proventil on bronchodilation were equivalent, supporting the selection of AS MDI 180 µg to be taken into Phase III clinical trials, either alone or in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ASPEN (NCT03371459); Date of registration: 29/12/2017. ANTORA (NCT03364608); Date of registration: 15/12/2017.

Triple therapy with budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate with co-suspension delivery technology versus dual therapies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (KRONOS): a double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids have been used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the potential benefits of their use in triple therapy are not well known. We aimed to compare the efficacy of a triple therapy with corresponding dual therapies in symptomatic patients with moderate to very severe COPD, without a requirement for a history of exacerbations. METHODS: In this double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre phase 3 randomised controlled trial, we recruited patients from hospitals and care centres in Canada, China, Japan, and the USA. Eligible patients were 40-80 years of age, were current or former smokers (with a smoking history of ≥10 pack-years), had an established clinical history of COPD, and were symptomatic for COPD, despite receiving two or more inhaled maintenance therapies for at least 6 weeks before screening. We randomly assigned patients (2:2:1:1) using an interactive web response system to receive budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate metered-dose inhaler 320/18/9·6 µg (BGF MDI), glycopyrrolate/ formoterol fumarate metered-dose inhaler 18/9·6 µg (GFF MDI), budesonide/formoterol fumarate metered-dose inhaler 320/9·6 µg (BFF MDI), or open-label budesonide/formoterol fumarate dry-powder inhaler 400/12 µg (BUD/ FORM DPI). Primary endpoints for the Europe/Canada statistical analysis approach were FEV1 area under the curve from 0-4 h (AUC0-4) for BGF MDI versus BFF MDI and BGF MDI versus BUD/FORM DPI over 24 weeks; and change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough FEV1 for BGF MDI versus GFF MDI and non-inferiority of BFF MDI versus BUD/FORM DPI (margin of -50 mL from lower bound of 95% CI) over 24 weeks. Comparisons with BUD/FORM DPI were made for the Europe/Canada statistical analysis approach only. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02497001. FINDINGS: Between Aug 20, 2015, and Jan 5, 2018, 3047 patients were screened from 215 sites, and 1902 were randomly assigned to receive BGF MDI (n=640), GFF MDI (n=627), BFF MDI (n=316), or BUD/FORM DPI (n=319). Over 24 weeks, BGF MDI significantly improved FEV1 AUC0-4 versus BFF MDI (least squares mean difference 104 mL, 95% CI 77 to 131; p<0·0001) and BUD/FORM DPI (91 mL, 64 to 117; p<0·0001). BGF MDI also significantly improved pre-dose trough FEV1 versus GFF MDI (22 mL, 4 to 39; p=0·0139) and was non-inferior to BUD/FORM DPI (-10 mL, -36 to 16; p=0·4390). At week 24, patients in the BGF MDI group had a significantly improved FEV1 AUC0-4 compared with patients receiving BFF MDI (116 mL, 95% CI 80 to 152; p<0·0001); there was a non-significant improvement in the change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough FEV1 at week 24 versus GFF MDI (13 mL, -9 to 36 mL; p=0·2375). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nasopharyngitis (n=49 [8%] in the BGF MDI group; n=41 [7%] in the GFF MDI group; n=26 [8%] in the BFF MDI group; and n=30 [9%] in the BUD/FORM DPI group) and upper respiratory tract infection (n=65 [10%]; n=38 [6%]; n=18 [6%]; and n=22 [7%]). Pneumonia incidence was low (<2%) and similar across treatments. There were two treatment-related deaths, both in the GFF MDI group. INTERPRETATION: BGF MDI was efficacious, well tolerated, and could be a more appropriate treatment than the corresponding dual therapies for symptomatic patients with moderate to very severe COPD, irrespective of exacerbation history. FUNDING: Pearl-a member of the AstraZeneca Group.

Determinants of Response to Roflumilast in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Pooled Analysis of Two Randomized Trials.

RATIONALE: Roflumilast reduces exacerbations in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations. Further characterization of patients most likely to benefit is warranted. OBJECTIVES: Define characteristics that most robustly identify patients who derive greatest exacerbation risk reduction with roflumilast. METHODS: Predefined, pooled analyses of REACT (Roflumilast in the Prevention of COPD Exacerbations While Taking Appropriate Combination Treatment; NCT01329029) and RE2SPOND (Roflumilast Effect on Exacerbations in Patients on Dual [LABA/ICS] Therapy; NCT01443845) multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. The primary endpoint was rate of moderate or severe exacerbations per patient per year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the overall intention-to-treat population (n = 4,287), roflumilast reduced moderate or severe exacerbations by 12.3% (rate ratio, 0.88, 95% confidence interval, 0.80-0.97; P = 0.0086) and severe exacerbations by 16.1% (0.84; 0.71-0.99; P = 0.0409) versus placebo. The reduction in moderate or severe exacerbations with roflumilast was most pronounced in patients who had been hospitalized for an exacerbation in the prior year (0.74; 0.63-0.88; P = 0.0005); had more than two exacerbations in the prior year (0.79; 0.65-0.96; P = 0.0160); or had baseline eosinophils ≥150 cells/µl (0.81; 0.71-0.93; P = 0.0020), ≥150 to <300 cells/µl (0.84; 0.71-0.98; P = 0.0282), or ≥300 cells/µl (0.77; 0.61-0.97; P = 0.0264). Similar subgroup results were noted for severe exacerbations. In patients with prior hospitalization and higher baseline blood eosinophil concentrations, roflumilast reduced moderate or severe exacerbations by 34.5% at ≥150 cells/µl (0.65; 0.52-0.82; P = 0.0003) and 42.7% at ≥300 cells/µl (0.57; 0.37-0.88; P = 0.0111) versus placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This prespecified, pooled analysis confirms the benefit of roflumilast in decreasing exacerbations in patients with prior hospitalization for exacerbation, greater exacerbation frequency, and higher (≥150 cells/µl, ≥150 to <300 cells/µl, or ≥300 cells/µl) baseline blood eosinophil count.

24-h bronchodilation and inspiratory capacity improvements with glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate via co-suspension delivery technology in COPD.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may vary throughout the day and it is important that therapeutic approaches provide 24-h symptom control. We report the results of two phase IIIb crossover studies, PT003011 and PT003012, investigating the 24-h lung function profile of GFF MDI (glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate 18/9.6 µg delivered using innovative co-suspension delivery technology) administered twice daily. METHODS: Patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received 4 weeks' treatment with each of GFF MDI, placebo MDI, and open-label tiotropium (PT003011 only). Lung function was assessed over 24 h on day 29 of each treatment period. The primary outcome was forced expiratory volume in 1 second area under the curve from 0 to 24 h (FEV1AUC0-24). Other outcomes included change from baseline in average daily rescue medication use over the treatment period. In addition, we conducted a post-hoc analysis of data pooled from both studies to further characterize the effect of GFF MDI on inspiratory capacity. RESULTS: GFF MDI treatment significantly increased FEV1AUC0-24 versus placebo in studies PT003011 (n = 75) and PT003012 (n = 35) on day 29 (both studies p < 0.0001), with similar improvements in FEV1AUC versus placebo for hours 0-12 and 12-24. In PT003011, improvements with GFF MDI versus tiotropium in FEV1AUC were greater during hours 12-24 compared to 0-12 h. GFF MDI treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in rescue medication use versus placebo (-0.84 [p<0.0001] and -1.11 [p=0.0054] puffs/day in PT003011 and PT003012, respectively), and versus tiotropium in PT003011 (-0.44 [p=0.017] puffs/day). A post-hoc pooled analysis showed patients treated with GFF MDI were more likely to achieve a >15% increase from baseline in inspiratory capacity than patients treated with placebo or tiotropium (72.1%, 19.0% and 47.0% of patients, respectively after the evening dose on day 29). There were no significant safety/tolerability findings. CONCLUSIONS: GFF MDI significantly improved 24-h lung function versus placebo in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with similar benefits in the second 12-h period compared to the first, supporting twice-daily dosing of GFF MDI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pearl Therapeutics, Inc.; www.clinicaltrials.gov ; NCT02347072 and NCT02347085 . Registered 21 January 2015.

Long-term safety and efficacy of glycopyrrolate/formoterol metered dose inhaler using novel Co-Suspension™ Delivery Technology in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The long-term safety and efficacy of a novel Co-Suspension™ Delivery Technology glycopyrrolate (GP)/formoterol fumarate (FF) 18/9.6 µg fixed-dose combination metered dose inhaler (GFF MDI) were investigated in a 28-week safety extension study (PINNACLE-3, NCT01970878) of two randomized controlled Phase III trials (PINNACLE-1 and -2; NCT01854645 and NCT01854658) in subjects with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Subjects completing 24 weeks' treatment with GFF MDI, GP MDI, FF MDI (all twice-daily) or open-label tiotropium 18 µg (once-daily) in PINNACLE-1 or -2 were randomly selected to continue treatment for 28 weeks. The target enrollment for PINNACLE-3 was 850 subjects. Safety and efficacy were evaluated over 52 weeks. RESULTS: Of 3274 subjects randomized to active treatment in PINNACLE-1 or -2, 892 entered PINNACLE-3. Incidences of adverse events, serious adverse events and major adverse cardiovascular events were similar across treatment groups with no unexpected safety findings. For change from baseline in morning pre-dose trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), treatment differences for GFF MDI versus GP MDI, FF MDI and open-label tiotropium over 52 weeks were 57, 65 and 25 mL, respectively (p ≤ 0.0117). Average daily rescue medication use was significantly reduced for GFF MDI versus GP MDI and open-label tiotropium (p ≤ 0.0002). Statistically significant improvements were observed with GFF MDI versus monocomponents in Self-Administered Computerized Transition Dyspnea Index focal score, and in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire total score versus GP MDI. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirmed the long-term safety and tolerability of GFF MDI 18/9.6 µg twice-daily in subjects with moderate-to-very severe COPD. Improvements in efficacy endpoints were also sustained over 52 weeks.

Efficacy and Safety of Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol Metered Dose Inhaler Formulated Using Co-Suspension Delivery Technology in Patients With COPD.

BACKGROUND: Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting ß2-agonist (LABA) combinations are a treatment option for patients with COPD who continue to have symptoms despite treatment with a LAMA or a LABA alone. The Efficacy and Safety of PT003, PT005, and PT001 in Subjects with Moderate-to-Very Severe COPD (PINNACLE-1) (NCT01854645) and the Multi-Center Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of PT003, PT005, and PT001 in Subjects with Moderate-to-Very Severe COPD (PINNACLE-2) (NCT01854658) trials investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel glycopyrrolate [GP]/formoterol [FF] 18/9.6-µg (GFF) metered dose inhaler (MDI) formulated using the Co-Suspension Delivery Technology in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD. METHODS: These two phase III trials took place over 24 weeks and were randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled; 2,103 and 1,615 patients (40-80 years of age), respectively, were randomized. Patients received GFF MDI, GP MDI 18 µg, FF MDI 9.6 µg, or placebo MDI (all twice daily), or tiotropium 18 µg dry powder inhaler (once daily in PINNACLE-1 only [open-label active comparator]). Efficacy and safety were assessed. RESULTS: At week 24, differences in change from baseline in the morning predose trough FEV1 for GFF MDI vs placebo MDI, GP MDI, and FF MDI were 150 mL, 59 mL, and 64 mL in PINNACLE-1 (all P < .0001) and 103 mL, 54 mL, and 56 mL in PINNACLE-2 (all P < .001), respectively. There were no significant safety findings (incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment arms). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that GFF MDI 18/9.6 µg demonstrated superiority over placebo and monocomponent MDIs and was well tolerated, thus providing an additional treatment option for patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01854645 and No. NCT01854658; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

A randomized study of formoterol fumarate in a porous particle metered-dose inhaler in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.

BACKGROUND: Formoterol fumarate (FF) is a well-established long-acting ß2-agonist. This represents the first clinical study of FF in a metered-dose inhaler (FF MDI) based on proprietary lipid-based porous-particle engineering technology. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, 5-period, crossover study (NCT00880490), subjects received 2.4, 4.8, and 9.6 µg of FF MDI, open-label Foradil(®) Aerolizer(®) (FA) 12 µg, and placebo. Spirometry was performed at baseline, 15 and 30 min, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11.5, and 12 h post-dose. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were enrolled. Improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was similar between FF MDI 9.6 µg and FA. Change in FEV1 area under the curve for 0-12 h (AUC0-12) for each FF MDI dose demonstrated superior efficacy versus placebo (P < .001 for all 3 doses). Over 12 h and at each time point, FF MDI 9.6 µg was non-inferior to FA for FEV1 AUC0-12 with the 95% CI's supporting a maximum difference of approximately 45 mL. Peak and trough FEV1, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow rate, peak inspiratory capacity, and pharmacokinetics confirmed the primary endpoint, with dose ordering of the FF MDI 2.4, 4.8, and 9.6 µg, and comparability of FF MDI 9.6 µg to FA. All 3 doses of FF MDI were safe and well-tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of placebo and FA. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of FF MDI 9.6 µg were comparable to FA 12 µg and with similar safety to placebo and FA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT NCT00880490.