Gautham Marigowda

Lumacaftor–Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Homozygous for Phe508del CFTR

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting disease that is caused by defective or deficient cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein activity. Phe508del is the most common CFTR mutation. METHODS We conducted two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that were designed to assess the effects of lumacaftor (VX-809), a CFTR corrector, in combination with ivacaftor (VX-770), a CFTR potentiator, in patients 12 years of age or older who had cystic fibrosis and were homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation. In both studies, patients were randomly assigned to receive either lumacaftor (600 mg once daily or 400 mg every 12 hours) in combination with ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 hours) or matched placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the absolute change from baseline in the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) at week 24. RESULTS A total of 1108 patients underwent randomization and received study drug. The mean baseline FEV1 was 61% of the predicted value. In both studies, there were significant improvements in the primary end point in both lumacaftor-ivacaftor dose groups; the difference between active treatment and placebo with respect to the mean absolute improvement in the percentage of predicted FEV1 ranged from 2.6 to 4.0 percentage points (P<0.001), which corresponded to a mean relative treatment difference of 4.3 to 6.7% (P<0.001). Pooled analyses showed that the rate of pulmonary exacerbations was 30 to 39% lower in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor groups than in the placebo group; the rate of events leading to hospitalization or the use of intravenous antibiotics was lower in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor groups as well. The incidence of adverse events was generally similar in the lumacaftor-ivacaftor and placebo groups. The rate of discontinuation due to an adverse event was 4.2% among patients who received lumacaftor-ivacaftor versus 1.6% among those who received placebo. CONCLUSIONS These data show that lumacaftor in combination with ivacaftor provided a benefit for patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation. (Funded by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and others; TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01807923 and NCT01807949.).

Assessment of safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with combination lumacaftor and ivacaftor therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation (PROGRESS): a phase 3, extension study

BACKGROUND The 24-week safety and efficacy of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy was shown in two randomised controlled trials (RCTs)-TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT-in patients with cystic fibrosis who were aged 12 years or older and homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. We aimed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of extended lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in this group of patients in PROGRESS, the long-term extension of TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT. METHODS PROGRESS was a phase 3, parallel-group, multicentre, 96-week study of patients who completed TRAFFIC or TRANSPORT in 191 sites in 15 countries. Patients were eligible if they were at least 12 years old with cystic fibrosis and homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation. Exclusion criteria included any comorbidity or laboratory abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, might confound the results of the study or pose an additional risk in administering the study drug to the participant, history of drug intolerance, and history of poor compliance with the study drug. Patients who previously received active treatment in TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC remained on the same dose in PROGRESS. Patients who had received placebo in TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive lumacaftor (400 mg every 12 h)/ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h) or lumacaftor (600 mg once daily)/ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h). The primary outcome was to assess the long-term safety of combined therapy. The estimated annual rate of decline in percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) in treated patients was compared with that of a matched registry cohort. Efficacy analyses were based on modified intention-to-treat, such that data were included for all patients who were randomly assigned and received at least one dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01931839. FINDINGS Between Oct 24, 2013, and April 7, 2016, 1030 patients from the TRANSPORT and TRAFFIC studies enrolled in PROGRESS, and 1029 received at least one dose of study drug. 340 patients continued treatment with lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h; 176 patients who had received placebo in the TRANSPORT or TRAFFIC studies initiated treatment with lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h, the commercially available dose, for which data are presented. The most common adverse events were infective pulmonary exacerbations, cough, increased sputum, and haemoptysis. Modest blood pressure increases seen in TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT were also observed in PROGRESS. For patients continuing treatment, the mean change from baseline in ppFEV1 was 0·5 (95% CI -0·4 to 1·5) at extension week 72 and 0·5 (-0·7 to 1·6) at extension week 96; change in BMI was 0·69 (0·56 to 0·81) at extension week 72 and 0·96 (0·81 to 1·11) at extension week 96. The annualised pulmonary exacerbation rate in patients continuing treatment through extension week 96 (0·65, 0·56 to 0·75) remained lower than the placebo rate in TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT. The annualised rate of ppFEV1 decline was reduced in lumacaftor/ivacaftor-treated patients compared with matched controls (-1·33, -1·80 to -0·85 vs -2·29, -2·56 to -2·03). The efficacy and safety profile of the lumacaftor 600 mg once daily/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h groups was generally similar to that of the lumacaftor 400 mg every 12 h/ivacaftor 250 mg every 12 h groups. INTERPRETATION The long-term safety profile of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy was consistent with previous RCTs. Benefits continued to be observed with longer-term treatment, and lumacaftor/ivacaftor was associated with a 42% slower rate of ppFEV1 decline than in matched registry controls. FUNDING Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated.

Efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR by pulmonary function subgroup: a pooled analysis

BACKGROUND Lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy has shown clinical benefits in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation; however, pretreatment lung function is a confounding factor that potentially affects the efficacy and safety of this therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of lumacaftor/ivacaftor therapy in these patients, defined by specific categories of lung function. METHODS Both trials (TRAFFIC and TRANSPORT) included in this pooled analysis were multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 studies. Eligible patients from 187 participating centres in North America, Australia, and the European Union (both trials) were aged 12 years or older with a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation, and with a percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) of 40-90 at the time of screening. Patients were randomly assigned with an interactive web response system (1:1:1) to receive placebo, lumacaftor (600 mg once daily) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h), or lumacaftor (400 mg every 12 h) plus ivacaftor (250 mg every 12 h) for 24 weeks. Prespecified subgroup analyses of pooled efficacy and safety data by lung function, as measured by ppFEV1, were done for patients with baseline ppFEV1 (<40 and ≥40) and screening ppFEV1 (<70 and ≥70). The primary endpoint was the absolute change from baseline in ppFEV1 at week 24 analysed in all randomised patients who received at least one dose of study drug. Both trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (TRAFFIC: NCT01807923; TRANSPORT: NCT01807949). FINDINGS Both trials were done between April, 2013, and April, 2014. Of the 1108 patients included in the efficacy analysis, 81 patients had a ppFEV1 that decreased to lower than 40 between screening and baseline and 1016 had a ppFEV1 of 40 or higher at baseline. At screening, 730 had a ppFEV1 of less than 70, and 342 had a ppFEV1 of 70 or higher. Improvements in the absolute change from baseline at week 24 in ppFEV1 were observed with both lumacaftor/ivacaftor doses in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40 (least-squares mean difference vs placebo was 3·7 percentage points [95% CI 0·5-6·9; p=0·024] in the lumacaftor [600 mg/day]-ivacaftor group and 3·3 percentage points [0·2-6·4; p=0·036] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were also reported in the subgroup with baseline ppFEV1 levels of 40 or higher (3·3 percentage points [2·3-4·4; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [600 mg per day]-ivacaftor group and 2·8 percentage points [1·7-3·8; p<0·0001] in the lumacaftor [400 mg/12 h]-ivacaftor group). Similar absolute improvements in ppFEV1 compared with placebo were observed in subgroups with screening ppFEV1 levels lower than 70 and ppFEV1 levels of 70 or higher. Increases in body-mass index and reduction in number of pulmonary exacerbation events were observed in both lumacaftor/ivacaftor dose groups compared with placebo across all lung function subgroups. Treatment was generally well tolerated, although the incidence of some respiratory adverse events was higher with lumacaftor/ivacaftor than with placebo in all subgroups. In patients with baseline ppFEV1 levels lower than 40, these adverse events included cough, dyspnoea, and abnormal respiration. INTERPRETATION These analyses confirm that lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy benefits patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for Phe508del CFTR who have varying degrees of lung function impairment. FUNDING Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Efficacy and safety of lumacaftor and ivacaftor in patients aged 6–11 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del-CFTR: a randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND Lumacaftor and ivacaftor combination treatment showed efficacy in patients aged 12 years or older with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in placebo-controlled studies and patients aged 6-11 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del-CFTR in an open-label study. We report efficacy and safety of lumacaftor and ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis aged 6-11 years homozygous for F508del-CFTR. METHODS In this phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study, patients were enrolled at 54 hospitals and medical centres in nine countries (the USA, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK). Eligible patients weighed at least 15 kg, with a confirmed diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 70 or more, and lung clearance index2·5 (LCI2·5) of 7·5 or more at screening (values less than these thresholds were permitted at day 1). All patients were tested for CFTR genotype at screening; eligible patients had to have the F508del-CFTR mutation on both alleles. Exclusion criteria included any comorbidity or laboratory abnormality that might confound the study results or pose additional risk to the patient. Patients were stratified by weight (<25 kg vs ≥25 kg) and ppFEV1 severity (<90 vs ≥90) determined at the screening visit, and randomly assigned 1:1 to treatment using an interactive web response system to receive 200 mg lumacaftor and 250 mg ivacaftor every 12 hours or placebo for 24 weeks. Patients, all site personnel including the investigator and the site monitor, and the study team were blinded, with the exception of site personnel needing this information in the event of medical emergency or pregnancy and patient safety and regulatory affairs personnel to meet serious adverse event reporting requirements. The primary endpoint was the mean absolute change in LCI2·5 from all on-treatment study visits up to and including week 24. All randomly assigned patients who were exposed to any amount of study drug, with treatment assignment as assigned were included in primary and other efficacy analyses. All patients who were exposed to any amount of study drug, with treatment assignment as treated, were included in the safety analysis. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02514473. FINDINGS Between July 23, 2015, and Sept 20, 2016, a total of 206 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive lumacaftor and ivacaftor (n=104) or placebo (n=102). Two randomly assigned patients were never dosed with study drug (one in the placebo arm due to ineligibility arising from a streptococcal throat infection and one in the lumacaftor and ivacaftor arm due to withdrawal based on refusal to provide blood tests) and were not included in the analyses. 103 patients received at least one dose of lumacaftor and ivacaftor and 101 patients received at least one dose of placebo. For the primary endpoint, the average absolute change in LCI2·5 from baseline over all study visits up to and including the week 24 visit, least squares mean difference was -1·09 units (95% CI -1·43 to -0·75, p<0·0001) for lumacaftor and ivacaftor versus placebo. For the key secondary endpoint of sweat chloride concentration, the least squares mean difference versus placebo was -20·8 mmol/L (95% CI -23·4 to -18·2, average absolute change at day 15/week 4; p<0·0001). The least squares mean difference compared with placebo in absolute change in ppFEV1 from all on-treatment study visits until week 24 was 2·4 (95% CI 0·4-4·4, p=0·0182). 196 (96%) of 204 patients reported adverse events, most of which were mild (87 [43%]) or moderate (98 [48%]). Treatment was discontinued due to adverse events in three (3%) of 103 patients in the lumacaftor and ivacaftor group and two (2%) of 101 patients in the placebo group. Serious adverse events were reported in 13 (13%) of 103 patients in the lumacaftor and ivacaftor group and 11 (11%) of 101 patients in the placebo group. INTERPRETATION Treatment with lumacaftor and ivacaftor was associated with statistically significant improvements in lung function, as measured by LCI2·5 and ppFEV1, versus placebo in patients aged 6-11 years with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del-CFTR. The overall safety profile was consistent with previous phase 3 studies of lumacaftor and ivacaftor. FUNDING Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor Treatment of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Heterozygous for F508del‐CFTR

Rationale: In a prior study, lumacaftor/ivacaftor treatment (≤28 d) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) heterozygous for F508del‐CFTR did not improve lung function. Objectives: To evaluate an optimized lumacaftor/ivacaftor dosing regimen with a longer duration in a cohort of patients heterozygous for F508del‐CFTR. Methods: Patients aged 18 years or older with a confirmed CF diagnosis and percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) of 40 to 90 were randomized to lumacaftor/ivacaftor (400 mg/250 mg every 12 h) or placebo daily for 56 days. Primary outcomes were change in ppFEV1 at Day 56 and safety. Other disease markers were evaluated. Measurements and Main Results: Of 126 patients, 119 (94.4%) completed the study. Lumacaftor/ivacaftor was well tolerated, although chest tightness and dyspnea occurred more frequently with active treatment than with placebo (27.4% vs. 14.3% and 14.5% vs. 6.3%, respectively). Mean (SD) ppFEV1 values at baseline were 62.9 (14.3) in the active treatment group and 60.1 (14.0) in the placebo group. Absolute changes in ppFEV1 (least squares mean [SE]) at Day 56 were −0.6 (0.8) percentage points in the active treatment group and −1.2 (0.8) percentage points in the placebo group (P = 0.60). CF respiratory symptom scores in the active treatment group improved by a mean of 5.7 points versus a decrease of −0.8 in the placebo group (P < 0.01). No changes in body mass index occurred. Changes from baseline in sweat chloride (least squares mean [SE]) at Day 56 were −11.8 (1.3) mmol/L in the active treatment group and −0.8 (1.2) mmol/L in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Sweat chloride and respiratory symptom scores improved with lumacaftor/ivacaftor, though no meaningful benefit was seen in ppFEV1 or body mass index in patients heterozygous for F508del‐CFTR. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01225211).

Effect of bronchodilators in healthy individuals receiving lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy

In an open-label, single-center phase 1 pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects who received lumacaftor (LUM) in combination with ivacaftor (IVA), review of spirometry data showed a transient decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (ppFEV1) within 4h of drug administration. An additional cohort of healthy subjects with normal baseline ppFEV1 values was studied to evaluate the ppFEV1 response to LUM/IVA administration and assess the effect of long-acting bronchodilators (LABDs) and short-acting bronchodilators (SABDs) on ppFEV1 response. The ppFEV1 decline observed at 4h was attenuated following administration of an LABD and reversed following administration of an SABD. Concomitant administration of LUM/IVA with bronchodilators was well tolerated. These data show that a transient decline in ppFEV1 was observed in healthy subjects following administration of LUM/IVA combination therapy, which can be ameliorated with LABDs or SABDs.

143 Lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in CF patients homozygous for F508del-CFTR with severe lung dysfunction

Background Lumacaftor (LUM) increases the quantity of functional cell-surface F508del-CFTR. Ivacaftor (IVA) increases the open probability of cell-surface F508del-CFTR. In vitro, LUM/IVA in combination increased chloride transport more than either alone. Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of LUM/IVA in homozygous F508del CF patients ≥12 y. Methods A total of 1108 patients received either LUM (600 mg qd or 400 mg q12h) in combination with IVA (250 mg q12h) or placebo. The primary endpoint was absolute change in percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) from baseline at Week 24. Key secondary endpoints included BMI, pulmonary exacerbations (PE), and CFQ-R respiratory domain. Results Eighty-one patients who met the eligibility criterion of ppFEV1 ≥ 40 at screening had a ppFEV1 Least squares mean treatment difference vs placebo for change from baseline at week 24 LUM 600 mg qd + IVA 250 mg q12h LUM 400 mg q12h + IVA 250 mg q12h Baseline ppFEV1 Baseline ppFEV1 ≥40 (n = 342) Baseline ppFEV1 Baseline ppFEV1 ≥40 (n = 3336) Absolute ppFEV1 (percentage points)* 3.7 (P = 0.024) 3.3 (P 3.3 (P = 0.036) 2.8 (P BMI (kg/m2) 0.63 (P = 0.023) 0.26 (P 0.29 (P = 0.261) 0.23 (P = 0.001) CFQ-R Respiratory Domain (points) 3.3 (P = 0.446) 3.3 (P = 0.006) −4.2 (P = 0.298) 2.9 (P = 0.017) Pulmonary exacerbations (rate ratio vs placebo) 0.47 (P = 0.030) 0.73 (P = 0.007) 0.59 (P = 0.074) 0.61 (P Conclusion The efficacy and safety of LUM/IVA in the subgroup of patients with severe lung dysfunction was comparable to the overall study population, indicating benefit in these patients.

WS01.3 Lumacaftor in combination with ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis who are homozygous for the F508del-CFTR mutation

Background Lumacaftor (LUM) increases the quantity of functional cell-surface F508del-CFTR. Ivacaftor (IVA) increases the open probability of cell-surface F508del-CFTR. In primary cell cultures, LUM/IVA combination increased chloride transport more than either agent alone. Methods Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of LUM/IVA in homozygous F508del CF patients ≥12 y. A total of 1108 patients received either LUM (600 mg qd or 400 mg q12h) in combination with IVA (250 mg q12h) or placebo. Primary endpoint was absolute change in percent predicted FEV 1 (ppFEV 1 ). Key secondary endpoints included relative change in ppFEV 1 , BMI, pulmonary exacerbations, and CFQ-R Respiratory domain. After completion, patients could enter a blinded extension to continue to receive LUM/IVA or, if on placebo, be randomized to one of the LUM/IVA doses. Results Pooled results are shown in Table 1. The incidence of AEs was similar between LUM/IVA and placebo; 4.2% of LUM/IVA and 1.6% of placebo patients discontinued due to an adverse event. Interim analysis after approx. 25% of patients completed an additional 24 weeks in the extension study indicated LUM/IVA results were maintained through 48 weeks. Conclusion LUM/IVA demonstrated rapid, meaningful and sustained improvements across multiple clinical endpoints and was well tolerated in F508del homozygous CF patients. Table 1 . Pooled LUM/IVA efficacy results by dose LUM 600 mg qd + IVA 250 mg q12h (N = 368) LUM 400 mg q12h + IVA 250 mg q12h (N = 368) Least squares mean treatment difference vs placebo for change from baseline at Week 24  Absolute ppFEV 1 (percentage points)* 3.3 (P 2.8 (P  Relative ppFEV 1 (%)* 5.6 (P 4.8 (P  BMI (kg/m 2 ) 0.28 (P 0.24 (P = 0.0004)  CFQ-R Respiratory Domain (points) 3.1 (P = 0.0071) 2.2 (P = 0.0512) Achievement of ≥5% relative improvement from baseline in ppFEV 1 * (odds ratio vs placebo) 2.95 (P 2.22 (P Pulmonary exacerbations (rate ratio vs placebo) 0.70 (P = 0.0014) 0.61 (P

Lumacaftor/ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis and advanced lung disease homozygous for F508del-CFTR

OBJECTIVE Evaluation of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of lumacaftor/ivacaftor in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with severe lung disease. METHODS Patients with CF 12 years of age and older, homozygous for F508del-CFTR, with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (ppFEV1) <40 received lumacaftor 400 mg/ivacaftor 250mg every 12h (full dose) for 24weeks in an open-label, prospective study (NCT02390219). Dose modification to half dose for 1-2weeks (including at initiation) was permitted. Safety and tolerability were the primary outcome measures; clinical outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS Of 46 patients (initiated on full dose: n=28; initiated on half dose: n=18), 35 (76%) completed 24weeks of treatment. The most common adverse events included infective pulmonary exacerbation, abnormal respiration, cough, and dyspnea. Compared with patients initiating on full dose, patients initiating at half dose had less frequent respiratory events (56% vs 71%) of shorter median duration (4 vs 9days). No dose modifications or discontinuations as a result of respiratory events occurred in patients initiating on half dose who were then increased to the full dose over 2weeks (versus three each for patients on full dose). Following an initial reduction, ppFEV1 was similar to baseline from week 4 throughout the remainder of the study (least squares mean [95% confidence interval] at week 24: -0.4 [-1.9, 1.1]; p=0.6249). Compared with the 24weeks prior to study, the annualized hospitalization rate was lower (rate ratio: 0.41; p=0.00026) and the duration of intravenous antibiotics was shorter (mean [standard deviation] difference: -8.52 [24.91] days; p=0.0369) through study week 24. CONCLUSIONS Compared with patients with higher lung function, respiratory events were more common in patients with ppFEV1<40; aside from these events, the lumacaftor/ivacaftor safety profile was consistent with previous studies. Results suggest that patients with ppFEV1<40 may benefit from treatment initiation at a lower dose with augmented monitoring before increasing to the full dose.

Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor reduces pulmonary exacerbations in patients irrespective of initial changes in FEV1

BACKGROUND Improved lung function and fewer pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) were observed with lumacaftor/ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) in patients with cystic fibrosis homozygous for F508del. It is unknown whether PEx reduction extends to patients without early lung function improvement. METHODS Post hoc analyses of pooled phase 3 data (NCT01807923, NCT01807949) categorized LUM/IVA-treated patients by percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV1) change from baseline to day 15 into threshold categories (absolute change ≤0 vs >0; relative change <5% vs ≥5%) and compared PEx rates vs placebo. RESULTS LUM (400 mg q12h)/IVA (250 mg q12h)-treated patients (n = 369) experienced significantly fewer PEx vs placebo, regardless of threshold category. With LUM/IVA, PEx rate per patient per year was 0.60 for those with absolute change in ppFEV1 > 0 and 0.85 for those with absolute change ≤0 (respective rate ratios vs placebo [95% CI]: 0.53 [0.40-0.69; P < .0001], 0.74 [0.55-0.99; P = .04]). CONCLUSIONS LUM/IVA significantly reduced PEx, even in patients without early lung function improvement.