Heribert Staudinger

CXCR2 Antagonist MK-7123. A Phase 2 Proof-of-Concept Trial for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

RATIONALE An antagonist (MK-7123) of the cytokine receptor CXCR2 reduces neutrophil chemotaxis and thus may alleviate airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of three dose levels of MK-7123, compared with placebo, in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS This 6-month, double-blind study randomized patients with moderate to severe COPD (already on standard therapy) to daily MK-7123 at 10, 30, or 50 mg or placebo. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in post-bronchodilator FEV1. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A total of 616 patients (71% male; mean age, 63 yr; 45% current smokers; baseline FEV1 [SD], 1.43 L [0.45]; mean FEV1 percent predicted, 43.9%) were randomized. Only MK-7123 50 mg led to significant improvement in FEV1 over placebo (mean difference [SE], 67 ml [32]). Reduced sputum neutrophil count was observed among the 122 patients examined; P = 0.003 (3 mo) and P = 0.092 (6 mo) (MK-7123 50 mg vs. placebo). The stratum of current smokers, but not that of nonsmokers, showed significant improvement versus placebo in FEV1 (168 ml) and time-to-first exacerbation, and showed numerical improvement in St. Georges Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD score. MK-7123 caused a dose-dependent decrease in absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and reduced inflammatory biomarkers matrix metallopeptidase-9 and myeloperoxidase in plasma and sputum; ANC lower than 1.5 × 10(9)/L led to discontinuations with higher doses of MK-7123 (18% in the MK-7123 50-mg group vs. 1% in placebo). Plasma C-reactive protein and fibrinogen increased with MK-7123 treatment. Rates of infections at 6 months were similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with MK-7123 50 mg versus placebo led to significant improvement in FEV1 in patients with COPD, suggesting clinically important antiinflammatory effects with CXCR2 antagonism, although dose-related discontinuations were observed because of ANC decreases with MK-7123. Greater response was observed in smokers versus ex-smokers. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01006616).

Effects of Inhaled Mometasone Furoate on Growth Velocity and Adrenal Function: A Placebo-Controlled Trial in Children 4–9 Years Old with Mild Persistent Asthma

Objective. To assess the effects of long-term mometasone furoate delivered via a dry powder inhaler (MF-DPI) on growth velocity and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis function in children with asthma. Study design. Children aged 4–9 years with asthma (n = 187) were randomized to MF-DPI 100 μg (delivered dose; actuated dose is 110 μg) once daily in the morning (QD AM), 100 μg twice daily (BID), 200 μg QD AM, or placebo for 52 weeks followed by a 3-month follow-up period. The primary outcome was growth velocity calculated from stadiometric heights recorded at each visit. Secondary outcomes included serum and 12-h urinary cortisol, serum osteocalcin, and urinary N-telopeptide. Results. MF-DPI 100 μg QD AM treatment did not significantly affect growth velocity compared with placebo (–0.10 ± 0.31 cm/y, p = 0.76). When the effect of a total daily dose of 200 μg MF-DPI on growth velocity was examined, no significant effect was demonstrated for MF-DPI 100 μg BID compared with placebo (–0.64 ± 0.39 cm/y, p = 0.10), although the change in mean growth velocity with MF-DPI 200 μg QD AM reached statistical significance (–0.70 ± 0.29 cm/y, p = 0.02). The effects of all examined doses of MF-DPI on mean plasma cortisol levels were similar to cortisol changes seen in the placebo group, suggesting an absence of drug-related effects. No differences in 12-h urinary cortisol or other outcomes were observed between groups. Conclusions. One year of treatment with a total daily dose of 100 μg of MF-DPI in the morning resulted in no significant difference, whereas a total daily dose of 200 μg of MF-DPI was associated with some changes in growth velocity when compared with placebo. The differences in growth velocity, and the absence of drug-related cortisol effects, support the use of a total daily dose of 100 μg of MF-DPI in children aged 4–9 years with mild persistent asthma.

Dose counter performance of mometasone furoate/formoterol inhalers in subjects with asthma or COPD

BACKGROUND Consistent delivery of medication to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is critical for disease control. Dose tracking may eliminate the possibility of sub-therapeutic dosing. This study evaluated the overall performance, including accuracy and ruggedness, of the mometasone furoate/formoterol (MF/F) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with an integrated numerical dose-counting mechanism in adolescent and adult subjects (aged ≥ 12 y) with persistent asthma or COPD. METHODS In a phase III, open-label, single-arm, multicenter study, subjects demonstrating at least 90% compliance with MF/F during the screening period received twice daily MF/F MDI 100/10 μg with the integrated dose counter for 4 weeks. Accuracy and ruggedness of the dose counter were assessed by the overall discrepancy rate of subject-recorded actuations versus subject-recorded dose counter readings. Discrepancy rates for Counterstrip™, a manual counting method, were evaluated for reference. Compliance and ergonomic safety were also assessed. RESULTS The 233 subjects who used ≥ 90% of labeled actuations were included in the primary analysis. Of 26,317 total actuations, 33 dose counter discrepancies occurred (rate = 0.13/100 actuations), of which 13 were due to undercounting. In comparison, the Counterstrip discrepancy rate was 10-fold higher (1.34/100 actuations). Compliance with medication use, Counterstrip use, and e-diary recordings were all high (>98%). No new repetitive strain injuries or exacerbations of preexisting ergonomic injuries of the finger, hand, or arm were reported. CONCLUSIONS The MF/F MDI dose counter was accurate and rugged in subjects with asthma or COPD. No new repetitive strain injuries or exacerbations of existing ergonomic injuries were associated with inhaler use. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov identifier = NCT00604500.

Patient Satisfaction with a Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler with an Integrated Dose Counter Containing a Fixed-Dose Mometasone Furoate/Formoterol Combination

Introduction. Inhaled delivery devices that are easy to use and facilitate dose tracking may lead to improved patient satisfaction and adherence. Patient satisfaction with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with an integrated dose counter containing a fixed-dose mometasone furoate/formoterol combination (MF/F MDI dose counter) was evaluated in subjects with persistent asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods. In this multicenter study (N = 272, age range: 12–92 years), subject experience and satisfaction with MDI devices was evaluated using baseline and poststudy surveys. Subjects responded to the baseline survey based on their previous MDI experience, then received MF/F MDI 100/10 μg with the integrated dose counter for 4 weeks before completing the poststudy survey. This evaluation was part of a broader study objective to assess performance of the MF/F MDI dose counter. Results. At baseline, 52% of subjects reported being extremely satisfied with their previous MDI. After using the MF/F MDI dose counter, a relative increase of 43% in overall satisfaction was observed. Approximately 90% of subjects agreed the MF/F dose counter helped them track doses and was easy to use; >80% agreed the inhaler was of good quality and well designed. Subjects agreed the dose counter relieved anxiety about running out of medication (68%) or taking a subtherapeutic dose (65%). Nearly 80% of subjects had no reservations about the MF/F MDI dose counter, and most subjects stated they would request it from their physician (66%) and recommend it to a friend (75%). Conclusions. The MF/F MDI dose counter was found to be easy to use and have overall high patient satisfaction.

Effects of Mometasone, Fluticasone, and Montelukast on Bone Mineral Density in Adults with Asthma

BACKGROUND Associations of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with bone mineral density (BMD) loss have not been characterized consistently. OBJECTIVE This randomized, double-blind study assessed effects of mometasone furoate (MF) administered via dry powder inhaler on BMD of patients with persistent asthma. METHODS Adults with mild-moderate persistent asthma who did not receive ICS for ≥3 months were randomized to MF 400 μg once daily (QD) in the evening (pm), MF 200 μg QD pm, montelukast sodium (ML) 10 mg QD pm, or fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 μg twice daily. Included patients had 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels ≥15 ng/mL at baseline. All the patients received calcium and vitamin D supplements for daily use during the trial. Duplicate BMD scans were done at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. The mean percentage change in lumbar spine (LS) BMD from baseline to end point for MF 400 μg versus ML 10 mg was the primary analysis. Changes from baseline in left total femur BMD and femoral neck BMD were secondary assessments. RESULTS At the end point, mean LS BMD increased 0.9% (MF 400 μg), 1.2% (ML), 0.7% (MF 200 μg), and 1.1% (FP), with no significant differences for MF 400 μg versus ML (-0.3% [95% CI, -1.01 to 0.27]) for LS BMD. No significant differences among treatments occurred for changes in left total femur BMD; all were slight increases. Changes in femoral neck BMD were 0.4% (MF 400 μg), -0.2% (ML), -0.2% (MF 200 μg), and -0.4% (FP); only the difference between MF 400 μg and FP was statistically significant (P = .044). CONCLUSION No detrimental effects on lumbar BMD were observed after up to 1 year of treatment with MF in comparison with ML for patients who received calcium and vitamin D supplements.