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Seminars in Respiratory and Critical... Oct 2023While static mechanical forces govern resting lung volumes, dynamic forces determine tidal breathing, airflow, and changes in airflow and lung volume during normal and...
While static mechanical forces govern resting lung volumes, dynamic forces determine tidal breathing, airflow, and changes in airflow and lung volume during normal and abnormal breathing. This section will examine the mechanisms, measurement methodology, and interpretation of the dynamic changes in airflow and lung volume that occur in health and disease. We will first examine how the total work of breathing can be described by the parameters of the equation of motion, which determine the pressure required to move air into and out of the lung. This will include a detailed description of airflow characteristics and airway resistance. Next, we will review the changes in pressure and flow that determine maximal forced inspiration and expiration, which result in the maximal flow-volume loop and the clinically important forced expired volume in 1 second. We will also assess the mechanisms and interpretation of bronchodilator responsiveness, dynamic hyperinflation, and airways hyperresponsiveness.
Topics: Humans; Lung; Bronchodilator Agents
PubMed: 37429331
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1770058 -
American Journal of Respiratory and... Aug 2023Ensifentrine is a novel, selective, dual phosphodiesterase (PDE)3 and PDE4 inhibitor with bronchodilator and antiinflammatory effects. Replicate phase III trials of... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Ensifentrine, a Novel Phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled, Multicenter Phase III Trials (the ENHANCE Trials).
UNLABELLED
Ensifentrine is a novel, selective, dual phosphodiesterase (PDE)3 and PDE4 inhibitor with bronchodilator and antiinflammatory effects. Replicate phase III trials of nebulized ensifentrine were conducted (ENHANCE-1 and ENHANCE-2) to assess these effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To evaluate the efficacy of ensifentrine compared with placebo for lung function, symptoms, quality of life, and exacerbations in patients with COPD. These phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trials were conducted between September 2020 and December 2022 at 250 research centers and pulmonology practices in 17 countries. Patients aged 40-80 years with moderate to severe symptomatic COPD were enrolled. Totals of 760 (ENHANCE-1) and 789 (ENHANCE-2) patients were randomized and treated, with 69% and 55% receiving concomitant long-acting muscarinic antagonists or long-acting β-agonists, respectively. Post-bronchodilator FEV percentage predicted values were 52% and 51% of predicted normal. Ensifentrine treatment significantly improved average FEV area under the curve at 0-12 hours versus placebo (ENHANCE-1, 87 ml [95% confidence interval, 55, 119]; ENHANCE-2, 94 ml [65, 124]; both < 0.001). Ensifentrine treatment significantly improved symptoms (Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms) and quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) versus placebo at Week 24 in ENHANCE-1 but not in ENHANCE-2. Ensifentrine treatment reduced the rate of moderate or severe exacerbations versus placebo over 24 weeks (ENHANCE-1, rate ratio, 0.64 [0.40, 1.00]; = 0.050; ENHANCE-2, rate ratio, 0.57 [0.38, 0.87]; = 0.009) and increased time to first exacerbation (ENHANCE-1, hazard ratio, 0.62 [0.39, 0.97]; = 0.038; ENHANCE-2, hazard ratio, 0.58 [0.38, 0.87]; = 0.009). Adverse event rates were similar to those for placebo. Ensifentrine significantly improved lung function in both trials, with results supporting exacerbation rate and risk reduction in a broad COPD population and in addition to other classes of maintenance therapies. Clinical trial registered with www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov and EudraCT (ENHANCE-1, www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov identifier NCT04535986, EudraCT identifier 2020-002086-34; ENHANCE-2, www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov identifier NCT04542057, EudraCT identifier 2020-002069-32).
Topics: Humans; Bronchodilator Agents; Double-Blind Method; Forced Expiratory Volume; Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Quality of Life; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 37364283
DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202306-0944OC -
Molecular Pharmaceutics Jul 2023Microorganisms that make up the local microbiota (such as sp. and sp.) play a crucial role in the modulation of diseases and health states by taking place not only in... (Review)
Review
Microorganisms that make up the local microbiota (such as sp. and sp.) play a crucial role in the modulation of diseases and health states by taking place not only in the gut but also in many parts of our body. There is also interference between the gut and the lung via the gut-lung axis. The relationship between respiratory diseases and lung microbiota, which become more of an issue of particular importance in recent years, shows that probiotics play an essential role in maintaining the balance of microorganisms in the respiratory tract. However, studies on probiotics' prophylactic or therapeutic application in chronic lung diseases are limited. In this review, the literature between 1977 and 2022 was surveyed. General information about human microbiota was accessed in earlier sources, and especially in the past decade, research on lung microbiota has been reached. The relationship between lung microbiota and important respiratory diseases such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, allergy-asthma, influenza, lung cancer, and COVID-19 infection, was scrutinized after mentioning human microbiota, the gut-lung axis, and respiratory tract microbiota. The mechanism of action of probiotics and the formulation approaches of probiotics in terms of pharmaceutical technology were reviewed. Finally, future perspectives on lung-targeted administration of probiotic bacteria with prophylactic or therapeutic potential, or both, were presented.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; COVID-19; Probiotics; Microbiota; Lung; Bacteria
PubMed: 37340968
DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00323 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2023The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a black box warning on the mental health adverse effects of montelukast in 2020. Age-related effects on the risk of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a black box warning on the mental health adverse effects of montelukast in 2020. Age-related effects on the risk of developing specific neuropsychiatric events in montelukast users remain largely unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the risk of neuropsychiatric events associated with montelukast in adults and children with asthma.
METHODS
A systematic search of all studies investigating neuropsychiatric events in montelukast users was performed in PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase from inception to 7 September 2022. Animal studies and conference abstracts were excluded.
RESULTS
59 studies (21 pharmacovigilance studies, four reviews from 172 randomised controlled trials, 20 observational studies, 10 case reports and four case series) evaluating neuropsychiatric events in patients with asthma on montelukast were reviewed. No significant association was shown between montelukast and suicide-related events in six of the observational studies. No association was found for depression as defined by the International Classification of Diseases 10 revision codes in three observational studies and a review of randomised clinical trials. However, findings from four studies using antidepressant prescriptions as the outcome identified significant associations. Consistent with nine pharmacovigilance studies, two large-scale observational studies revealed possible associations of montelukast with anxiety and sleeping disorders in adult patients with asthma, respectively. However, the results were not replicated in two observational studies on children.
CONCLUSION
Montelukast is not associated with suicide- and depression-related events in asthma patients. Older adults may be particularly susceptible to anxiety and sleeping disorders.
Topics: Child; Animals; Humans; Aged; Asthma; Acetates; Quinolines; Cyclopropanes; Anti-Asthmatic Agents
PubMed: 37758273
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0079-2023 -
Lancet (London, England) Jan 2024Stepwise intensification of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is routine for severe eosinophilic asthma, despite some poor responses to high-dose ICS. Dose reductions are... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Reduction of daily maintenance inhaled corticosteroids in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab (SHAMAL): a randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 4 study.
BACKGROUND
Stepwise intensification of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is routine for severe eosinophilic asthma, despite some poor responses to high-dose ICS. Dose reductions are recommended in patients responding to biologics, but little supporting safety evidence exists.
METHODS
SHAMAL was a phase 4, randomised, open-label, active-controlled study done at 22 study sites in four countries. Eligible participants were adults (aged ≥18 years) with severe eosinophilic asthma and a five-item Asthma Control Questionnaire score below 1·5 and who received at least three consecutive doses of benralizumab before screening. We randomly assigned patients (3:1) to taper their high-dose ICS to a medium-dose, low-dose, and as-needed dose (reduction group) or continue (reference group) their ICS-formoterol therapy for 32 weeks, followed by a 16-week maintenance period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients reducing their ICS-formoterol dose by week 32. The primary outcome was assessed in the reduction group, and safety analyses included all randomly assigned patients receiving study treatment. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04159519.
FINDINGS
Between Nov 12, 2019, and Feb 16, 2023, we screened and enrolled in the run-in period 208 patients. We randomly assigned 168 (81%) to the reduction (n=125 [74%]) and reference arms (n=43 [26%]). Overall, 110 (92%) patients reduced their ICS-formoterol dose: 18 (15%) to medium-dose, 20 (17%) to low-dose, and 72 (61%) to as-needed only. In 113 (96%) patients, reductions were maintained to week 48; 114 (91%) of patients in the reduction group had zero exacerbations during tapering. Rates of adverse events were similar between groups. 91 (73%) patients had adverse events in the reduction group and 35 (83%) in the reference group. 17 patients had serious adverse events in the study: 12 (10%) in the reduction group and five (12%) in the reference group. No deaths occurred during the study.
INTERPRETATION
These findings show that patients controlled on benralizumab can have meaningful reductions in ICS therapy while maintaining asthma control.
FUNDING
AstraZeneca.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Asthma; Formoterol Fumarate; Pulmonary Eosinophilia
PubMed: 38071986
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02284-5 -
Chest Sep 2023In the phase 3 MANDALA trial, as-needed albuterol-budesonide pressurized metered-dose inhaler significantly reduced severe exacerbation risk vs as-needed albuterol in... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
In the phase 3 MANDALA trial, as-needed albuterol-budesonide pressurized metered-dose inhaler significantly reduced severe exacerbation risk vs as-needed albuterol in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid-containing maintenance therapy. This study (DENALI) was conducted to address the US Food and Drug Administration combination rule, which requires a combination product to demonstrate that each component contributes to its efficacy.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Do both albuterol and budesonide contribute to the efficacy of the albuterol-budesonide combination pressurized metered-dose inhaler in patients with asthma?
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
This phase 3 double-blind trial randomized patients aged ≥ 12 years with mild-to-moderate asthma 1:1:1:1:1 to four-times-daily albuterol-budesonide 180/160 μg or 180/80 μg, albuterol 180 μg, budesonide 160 μg, or placebo for 12 weeks. Dual-primary efficacy end points included change from baseline in FEV area under the curve from 0 to 6 h (FEV AUC) over 12 weeks (assessing albuterol effect) and trough FEV at week 12 (assessing budesonide effect).
RESULTS
Of 1,001 patients randomized, 989 were ≥ 12 years old and evaluable for efficacy. Change from baseline in FEV AUC over 12 weeks was greater with albuterol-budesonide 180/160 μg vs budesonide 160 μg (least-squares mean [LSM] difference, 80.7 [95% CI, 28.4-132.9] mL; P = .003). Change in trough FEV at week 12 was greater with albuterol-budesonide 180/160 and 180/80 μg vs albuterol 180 μg (LSM difference, 132.8 [95% CI, 63.6-201.9] mL and 120.8 [95% CI, 51.5-190.1] mL, respectively; both P < .001). Day 1 time to onset and duration of bronchodilation with albuterol-budesonide were similar to those with albuterol. The albuterol-budesonide adverse event profile was similar to that of the monocomponents.
INTERPRETATION
Both monocomponents contributed to albuterol-budesonide lung function efficacy. Albuterol-budesonide was well tolerated, even at regular, relatively high daily doses for 12 weeks, with no new safety findings, supporting its use as a novel rescue therapy.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT03847896; URL: www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov.
Topics: Humans; Child; Budesonide; Formoterol Fumarate; Metered Dose Inhalers; Administration, Inhalation; Asthma; Albuterol; Double-Blind Method; Bronchodilator Agents; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37003355
DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.03.035 -
Allergology International : Official... Oct 2023Fungal sensitization is highly prevalent in severe asthma. The relationship between fungus and asthma, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, has been the subject of... (Review)
Review
Fungal sensitization is highly prevalent in severe asthma. The relationship between fungus and asthma, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, has been the subject of extensive research. The ubiquitous presence of A. fumigatus, its thermotolerant nature, the respirable size of its conidia, and its ability to produce potent allergens are pivotal in worsening asthma control. Due to the diverse clinical manifestations of fungal asthma and the lack of specific biomarkers, its diagnosis remains intricate. Diagnosing fungal asthma requires carefully assessing the patient's clinical history, immunological tests, and imaging. Depending on the severity, patients with fungal asthma require personalized treatment plans, including inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators, and antifungal therapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the association between Aspergillus and asthma by reviewing the relevant literature and highlighting key findings. We discuss the diagnosis of various entities included in fungal asthma. We also debate whether newer definitions, including allergic fungal airway disease, offer any additional advantages over the existing ones. Finally, we provide the current treatment options for the individual entities, including A. fumigatus-associated asthma, severe asthma with fungal sensitization, and allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses.
Topics: Humans; Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary; Asthma; Aspergillus fumigatus; Allergens; Respiratory System; Mycoses
PubMed: 37633774
DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2023.08.004 -
Respiratory Medicine Nov 2023The development of monoclonal antibody therapies targeting specific components of the pathways relevant to asthma pathophysiology has revolutionized treatment of severe... (Review)
Review
The development of monoclonal antibody therapies targeting specific components of the pathways relevant to asthma pathophysiology has revolutionized treatment of severe asthma both in adults and children and helped to further unravel the heterogeneity of this disease. However, the availability of multiple agents, often with overlapping eligibility criteria, creates a need for pragmatic guidance for specialists undertaking care of patients with severe asthma. In this review, we provide an overview of the data supporting the clinical efficacy of biologics in distinct asthma phenotypes/endotypes. We also focus on the role of biomarkers and treatable traits, including comorbidities, in the choice of asthma biologics, highlight which treatments have been demonstrated to be steroid sparing in corticosteroid dependent asthma, and provide practical guidance that can drive shared decision making on treatment choice with patients. In addition, we summarize what is known to date regarding long-term safety of these drugs, and lastly, discuss future directions in biologics research.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Biological Products; Asthma; Biomarkers; Phenotype; Precision Medicine; Anti-Asthmatic Agents
PubMed: 37776915
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107414 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jul 2023Benralizumab is an mAb therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma. Real-world data on its clinical impact in various patient populations such as patients with varying...
BACKGROUND
Benralizumab is an mAb therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma. Real-world data on its clinical impact in various patient populations such as patients with varying eosinophil levels, previous biologic use, and extended follow-up in the United States are limited.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of benralizumab in different asthmatic patient cohorts and its long-term clinical impact.
METHODS
Patients with asthma treated with benralizumab from November 2017 to June 2019 with 2 or more exacerbations in the 12 months before benralizumab initiation (index) were included in this pre-post cohort study that used medical, laboratory, and pharmacy US insurance claims. Asthma exacerbation rates in the 12 months pre and post index were compared. Nonmutually exclusive patient cohorts were defined by blood eosinophil counts (<150, ≥150, 150-<300, <300, and ≥300 cells/μL), a switch from another biologic, or follow-up for 18 or 24 months post index.
RESULTS
There were 429 patients in the eosinophil cohort, 349 in the biologic-experienced cohort, and 419 in the extended follow-up cohort. In all eosinophil cohort subgroups, the asthma exacerbation rate decreased from 3.10-3.55 per patient-year (PPY) pre index to 1.11-1.72 PPY post index (52%-64% decrease; P < .001). Similar decreases were observed in patients switching from omalizumab (3.25 to 1.25 PPY [62%]) or mepolizumab (3.81 to 1.78 PPY [53%]) to benralizumab and those followed up for 18 months (3.38 to 1.18 PPY [65%]) or 24 months (3.38 to 1.08 PPY [68%]) (all P < .001). In the extended follow-up cohort, 39% and 49% had no exacerbations in the 0 to 12 months and the 12 to 24 months post index, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Benralizumab achieved significantly improved asthma control in real-world patients with different blood eosinophil counts, including eosinophil counts ranging from less than 150 to greater than or equal to 300 cells/μL, switching from other biologics, or treated for up to 24 months.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Cohort Studies; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Asthma; Eosinophils; Pulmonary Eosinophilia
PubMed: 37146880
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.04.029 -
Nature Jul 2023Spillover events of avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) to humans could represent the first step in a future pandemic. Several factors that limit the transmission and...
Spillover events of avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) to humans could represent the first step in a future pandemic. Several factors that limit the transmission and replication of avian IAVs in mammals have been identified. There are several gaps in our understanding to predict which virus lineages are more likely to cross the species barrier and cause disease in humans. Here, we identified human BTN3A3 (butyrophilin subfamily 3 member A3) as a potent inhibitor of avian IAVs but not human IAVs. We determined that BTN3A3 is expressed in human airways and its antiviral activity evolved in primates. We show that BTN3A3 restriction acts primarily at the early stages of the virus life cycle by inhibiting avian IAV RNA replication. We identified residue 313 in the viral nucleoprotein (NP) as the genetic determinant of BTN3A3 sensitivity (313F or, rarely, 313L in avian viruses) or evasion (313Y or 313V in human viruses). However, avian IAV serotypes, such as H7 and H9, that spilled over into humans also evade BTN3A3 restriction. In these cases, BTN3A3 evasion is due to substitutions (N, H or Q) in NP residue 52 that is adjacent to residue 313 in the NP structure. Thus, sensitivity or resistance to BTN3A3 is another factor to consider in the risk assessment of the zoonotic potential of avian influenza viruses.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Birds; Host Microbial Interactions; Influenza A virus; Influenza in Birds; Influenza, Human; Primates; Respiratory System; Risk Assessment; Viral Zoonoses; Virus Replication
PubMed: 37380775
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06261-8