Jim J. Egan

Epstein-Barr virus replication within pulmonary epithelial cells in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.

BACKGROUND--Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (synonymous with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) is a clinically heterogeneous condition in which the precipitating factor is unclear. Both environmental and infective factors have been implicated. An association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis was suggested over a decade ago by a study based on EBV serology, but the significance of this has been unclear. METHODS--Lung tissue obtained surgically from patients (n = 20) with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis was investigated for evidence of EBV replication and compared with lung tissue from 21 control patients. Fourteen of the 20 patients had received no specific therapy for cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis at the time of biopsy. Monoclonal antibodies directed against the EBV viral antigens, EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and gp 340/220 antigen, which are expressed during the lytic phase of the EBV life cycle, were studied. RESULTS--Fourteen (70%) of the 20 patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis were positive for both EBV VCA and gp 340/220 compared with two (9%) of the 21 controls. In the patients with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis viral replication was localised to pulmonary epithelial cells using epithelial cell markers, and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the staining to be within type II alveolar cells. CONCLUSIONS--This is the first report of in vivo EBV replication within epithelial cells of the lower respiratory tract in an immunocompetent human host. Furthermore, this suggests that EBV may be an immune trigger or contribute to lung injury in cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, thus offering a potential new avenue of treatment.

Sporadic primary pulmonary hypertension is associated with germline mutations of the gene encoding BMPR-II, a receptor member of the TGF-beta family

BACKGROUND Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), resulting from occlusion of small pulmonary arteries, is a devastating condition. Mutations of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type II gene (BMPR2), a component of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family which plays a key role in cell growth, have recently been identified as causing familial PPH. We have searched for BMPR2 gene mutations in sporadic PPH patients to determine whether the same genetic defect underlies the more common form of the disorder. METHODS We investigated 50 unrelated patients, with a clinical diagnosis of PPH and no identifiable family history of pulmonary hypertension, by direct sequencing of the entire coding region and intron/exon boundaries of the BMPR2 gene. DNA from available parent pairs (n=5) was used to assess the occurrence of spontaneous (de novo) mutations contributing to sporadic PPH. RESULTS We found a total of 11 different heterozygous germline mutations of theBMPR2 gene in 13 of the 50 PPH patients studied, including missense (n=3), nonsense (n=3), and frameshift (n=5) mutations each predicted to alter the cell signalling response to specific ligands. Parental analysis showed three occurrences of paternal transmission and two of de novo mutation of theBMPR2 gene in sporadic PPH. CONCLUSION The sporadic form of PPH is associated with germline mutations of the gene encoding the receptor protein BMPR-II in at least 26% of cases. A molecular classification of PPH, based upon the presence or absence ofBMPR2 mutations, has important implications for patient management and screening of relatives.

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with Ambrisentan: A parallel, randomized trial

BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by formation and proliferation of fibroblast foci. Endothelin-1 induces lung fibroblast proliferation and contractile activity via the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ambrisentan, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, reduces the rate of IPF progression. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00768300). SETTING Academic and private hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients with IPF aged 40 to 80 years with minimal or no honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography scans. INTERVENTION Ambrisentan, 10 mg/d, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Time to disease progression, defined as death, respiratory hospitalization, or a categorical decrease in lung function. RESULTS The study was terminated after enrollment of 492 patients (75% of intended enrollment; mean duration of exposure to study medication, 34.7 weeks) because an interim analysis indicated a low likelihood of showing efficacy for the end point by the scheduled end of the study. Ambrisentan-treated patients were more likely to meet the prespecified criteria for disease progression (90 [27.4%] vs. 28 [17.2%] patients; P = 0.010; hazard ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.66]). Lung function decline was seen in 55 (16.7%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 19 (11.7%) placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109). Respiratory hospitalizations were seen in 44 (13.4%) and 9 (5.5%) patients in the ambrisentan and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.007). Twenty-six (7.9%) patients who received ambrisentan and 6 (3.7%) who received placebo died (P = 0.100). Thirty-two (10%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 16 (10%) placebo-treated patients had pulmonary hypertension at baseline, and analysis stratified by the presence of pulmonary hypertension revealed similar results for the primary end point. LIMITATION The study was terminated early. CONCLUSION Ambrisentan was not effective in treating IPF and may be associated with an increased risk for disease progression and respiratory hospitalizations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Gilead Sciences.BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by formation and proliferation of fibroblast foci. Endothelin-1 induces lung fibroblast proliferation and contractile activity via the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ambrisentan, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, reduces the rate of IPF progression. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00768300). SETTING Academic and private hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients with IPF aged 40 to 80 years with minimal or no honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography scans. INTERVENTION Ambrisentan, 10 mg/d, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Time to disease progression, defined as death, respiratory hospitalization, or a categorical decrease in lung function. RESULTS The study was terminated after enrollment of 492 patients (75% of intended enrollment; mean duration of exposure to study medication, 34.7 weeks) because an interim analysis indicated a low likelihood of showing efficacy for the end point by the scheduled end of the study. Ambrisentan-treated patients were more likely to meet the prespecified criteria for disease progression (90 [27.4%] vs. 28 [17.2%] patients; P = 0.010; hazard ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.66]). Lung function decline was seen in 55 (16.7%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 19 (11.7%) placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109). Respiratory hospitalizations were seen in 44 (13.4%) and 9 (5.5%) patients in the ambrisentan and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.007). Twenty-six (7.9%) patients who received ambrisentan and 6 (3.7%) who received placebo died (P = 0.100). Thirty-two (10%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 16 (10%) placebo-treated patients had pulmonary hypertension at baseline, and analysis stratified by the presence of pulmonary hypertension revealed similar results for the primary end point. LIMITATION The study was terminated early. CONCLUSION Ambrisentan was not effective in treating IPF and may be associated with an increased risk for disease progression and respiratory hospitalizations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Gilead Sciences.

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with ambrisentan: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by formation and proliferation of fibroblast foci. Endothelin-1 induces lung fibroblast proliferation and contractile activity via the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ambrisentan, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, reduces the rate of IPF progression. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00768300). SETTING Academic and private hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients with IPF aged 40 to 80 years with minimal or no honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography scans. INTERVENTION Ambrisentan, 10 mg/d, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Time to disease progression, defined as death, respiratory hospitalization, or a categorical decrease in lung function. RESULTS The study was terminated after enrollment of 492 patients (75% of intended enrollment; mean duration of exposure to study medication, 34.7 weeks) because an interim analysis indicated a low likelihood of showing efficacy for the end point by the scheduled end of the study. Ambrisentan-treated patients were more likely to meet the prespecified criteria for disease progression (90 [27.4%] vs. 28 [17.2%] patients; P = 0.010; hazard ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.66]). Lung function decline was seen in 55 (16.7%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 19 (11.7%) placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109). Respiratory hospitalizations were seen in 44 (13.4%) and 9 (5.5%) patients in the ambrisentan and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.007). Twenty-six (7.9%) patients who received ambrisentan and 6 (3.7%) who received placebo died (P = 0.100). Thirty-two (10%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 16 (10%) placebo-treated patients had pulmonary hypertension at baseline, and analysis stratified by the presence of pulmonary hypertension revealed similar results for the primary end point. LIMITATION The study was terminated early. CONCLUSION Ambrisentan was not effective in treating IPF and may be associated with an increased risk for disease progression and respiratory hospitalizations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Gilead Sciences.BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by formation and proliferation of fibroblast foci. Endothelin-1 induces lung fibroblast proliferation and contractile activity via the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ambrisentan, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, reduces the rate of IPF progression. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00768300). SETTING Academic and private hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients with IPF aged 40 to 80 years with minimal or no honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography scans. INTERVENTION Ambrisentan, 10 mg/d, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Time to disease progression, defined as death, respiratory hospitalization, or a categorical decrease in lung function. RESULTS The study was terminated after enrollment of 492 patients (75% of intended enrollment; mean duration of exposure to study medication, 34.7 weeks) because an interim analysis indicated a low likelihood of showing efficacy for the end point by the scheduled end of the study. Ambrisentan-treated patients were more likely to meet the prespecified criteria for disease progression (90 [27.4%] vs. 28 [17.2%] patients; P = 0.010; hazard ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.66]). Lung function decline was seen in 55 (16.7%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 19 (11.7%) placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109). Respiratory hospitalizations were seen in 44 (13.4%) and 9 (5.5%) patients in the ambrisentan and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.007). Twenty-six (7.9%) patients who received ambrisentan and 6 (3.7%) who received placebo died (P = 0.100). Thirty-two (10%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 16 (10%) placebo-treated patients had pulmonary hypertension at baseline, and analysis stratified by the presence of pulmonary hypertension revealed similar results for the primary end point. LIMITATION The study was terminated early. CONCLUSION Ambrisentan was not effective in treating IPF and may be associated with an increased risk for disease progression and respiratory hospitalizations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Gilead Sciences.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and obliterative bronchiolitis following pulmonary transplantation

BACKGROUND Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) characterised by small-airway fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. TGF-beta has been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. METHODS We immunohistochemically examined 380 transbronchial biopsies (from 91 pulmonary transplants) using TGF-beta polyclonal antibodies. OB and interstitial fibrosis were diagnosed and graded in all biopsies. Other potential histologic and clinical risk factors for OB were analysed. RESULTS Procedures were heart and lung (n = 32), bilateral sequential lung (n = 18), and single lung transplantation (n = 41). The incidence of OB in this group was 28.5%. In all patients with OB, TGF-beta was immunolocalized in the airways and lung parenchyma. TGF-beta expression was greater in OB patients (median score 8, range 5-12) in comparison to patients without OB (median score 4, range 1-13), p < .0001. Positive TGF-beta staining preceded the histologic confirmation of OB by 6 to 18 months. The development of OB was associated with two HLA mismatches at the A locus (p = .02); recurrent acute rejection episodes (p < .0005); lymphocytic bronchiolitis (p = .0001); and tissue eosinophilia, regardless of the rejection grade (p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Increased expression of TGF-beta is a risk factor for the development of OB. Other risk factors are recurrent acute rejection, lymphocytic bronchiolitis, tissue eosinophilia, and two mismatches at the HLA-A locus. This suggests that the pathogenesis of progressive small airway fibrosis characteristic of OB may be inflammatory damage, followed by an aberrant repair process due to excessive TGF-beta production following allograft injury. Hence, modulation of TGF-beta levels or function by antagonists may represent an important approach to control OB.

Efficacy predictors of lung volume reduction with zephyr valves in a european cohort

The Endobronchial Valve for Emphysema Palliation Trial (VENT) was a multi-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled trial conducted to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of unilateral endobronchial valve (EBV) treatment. The purpose of this analysis was to assess outcomes in the previously unreported European VENT study cohort. Patients with advanced emphysema were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive Zephyr® (Pulmonx Inc., Redwood City, CA, USA) EBV treatment (n=111) or medical management (n=60). At 6 months, EBV patients demonstrated a significant improvement compared with the controls for mean±sd change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (7±20% versus 0.5±19%; p=0.067), cycle ergometry (2±14 W versus -3±10 W; p=0.04) and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (-5±14 points versus 0.3±13 points; p=0.047). At 12 months, the magnitude of the difference between groups for change from baseline was of similar magnitude to the differences seen at 6 months. Rates for complications did not differ significantly. EBV patients with computed tomography (CT) scans suggestive of complete fissure and lobar occlusion had a mean±sd lobar volume reduction of -80±30% and >50% met minimal clinical difference thresholds. The degree of emphysema heterogeneity did not preclude excellent outcomes. Unilateral lobar volume reduction using EBV treatment is safe and superior clinical results correlated with CT suggestive of complete fissures and successful lobar occlusion. Emphysema heterogeneity was not critical for determining positive outcomes.

An international ISHLT/ATS/ERS clinical practice guideline: diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a major complication of lung transplantation that is associated with poor survival. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society convened a committee of international experts to describe and/or provide recommendations for 1) the definition of BOS, 2) the risk factors for developing BOS, 3) the diagnosis of BOS, and 4) the management and prevention of BOS. A pragmatic evidence synthesis was performed to identify all unique citations related to BOS published from 1980 through to March, 2013. The expert committee discussed the available research evidence upon which the updated definition of BOS, identified risk factors and recommendations are based. The committee followed the GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to develop specific clinical recommendations. The term BOS should be used to describe a delayed allograft dysfunction with persistent decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s that is not caused by other known and potentially reversible causes of post-transplant loss of lung function. The committee formulated specific recommendations about the use of systemic corticosteroids, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, azithromycin and about re-transplantation in patients with suspected and confirmed BOS. The diagnosis of BOS requires the careful exclusion of other post-transplant complications that can cause delayed lung allograft dysfunction, and several risk factors have been identified that have a significant association with the onset of BOS. Currently available therapies have not been proven to result in significant benefit in the prevention or treatment of BOS. Adequately designed and executed randomised controlled trials that properly measure and report all patient-important outcomes are needed to identify optimal therapies for established BOS and effective strategies for its prevention. Diagnosis of BOS requires careful exclusion of other complications that can cause delayed lung allograft dysfunction http://ow.ly/AZmbr

Bronchoscopic thermal vapour ablation therapy in the management of heterogeneous emphysema

The need for a less invasive procedure than surgical lung volume reduction that can produce consistent improvements with reduced morbidity remains a medical goal in patients with emphysema. We sought to determine the effect of bronchoscopic thermal vapour ablation (BTVA) on lung volumes and outcomes in patients with emphysema. 44 patients with upper lobe-predominant emphysema were treated unilaterally with BTVA. Entry criteria included: age 40–75 yrs, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 15–45% predicted, previous pulmonary rehabilitation and a heterogeneity index (tissue/air ratio of lower lobe/upper lobe) from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) ≥1.2. Changes in FEV1, St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), 6-min walk distance (6MWD), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnoea score, and hyperinflation were measured at baseline, and 3 and 6 months post-BTVA. At 6 months, mean±se FEV1 improved by 141±26 mL (p<0.001) and residual volume was reduced by 406±113 mL (p<0.0001). SGRQ total score improved by 14.0±2.4 points (p<0.001), with 73% improving by ≥4 points. Improvements were observed in 6MWD (46.5±10.6 m) and mMRC dyspnoea score (0.9±0.2) (p<0.001 for both). Lower respiratory events (n=11) were the most common adverse event and occurred most often during the initial 30 days. BTVA therapy results in clinically relevant improvements in lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance in upper lobe predominant emphysema.

Diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with high-resolution CT in patients with little or no radiological evidence of honeycombing: secondary analysis of a randomised, controlled trial

BACKGROUND Present guidelines for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis require histological confirmation of surgical lung biopsy samples when high-resolution CT images are not definitive for usual interstitial pneumonia. We aimed to assess the predictive value of high-resolution CT in a cohort of patients with suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from a previous randomised trial. METHODS ARTEMIS-IPF was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, phase 3 trial of ambrisentan for adults aged 40-80 years with well-defined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 5% or less honeycombing on high-resolution CT. In December, 2010, an interim analysis showed lack of efficacy and the trial was stopped. In the present follow-on analysis, we assessed patients who were screened for ARTEMIS-IPF who underwent high-resolution CT as part of screening and surgical lung biopsy as part of standard clinical care. A radiologist and a pathologist from a central panel independently assessed anonymised CT scans and biopsy samples. We calculated the positive and negative predictive value of high-resolution CT (classified as usual interstitial pneumonia, possible usual interstitial pneumonia, and inconsistent with usual interstitial pneumonia) for confirmation of histological patterns of usual interstitial pneumonia. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00768300. FINDINGS 315 (29%) of 1087 consecutively screened patients in ARTEMIS-IPF had both high-resolution CT and surgical lung biopsy samples. 108 of 111 patients who met high-resolution CT criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia had histologically confirmed usual interstitial pneumonia (positive predictive value 97·3%, 95% CI 92·3-99·4), as did 79 of 84 patients who met high-resolution CT criteria for possible usual interstitial pneumonia (94·0%, 86·7-98·0). 22 of 120 patients had an inconsistent high-resolution CT pattern for usual interstitial pneumonia that was histologically confirmed as not or possible usual interstitial pneumonia (negative predictive value 18·3%, 95% CI 11·9-26·4). INTERPRETATION In the appropriate clinical setting, for patients with possible usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on high resolution CT, surgical lung biopsy sampling might not be necessary to reach a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis if high-resolution CT scans are assessed by experts at regional sites familiar with patterns of usual interstitial pneumonia and management of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. FUNDING Gilead Sciences.

Evaluation of CMV viral load using taqman CMV quantitative PCR and comparison with CMV antigenemia in heart and lung transplant recipients

BACKGROUND Quantitative assessment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection using the antigenemia test has been used to monitor CMV infection in heart and lung transplant patients enabling a preemptive treatment strategy. However, the method is labour intensive, samples have to be processed within a few hours and requires skilled interpretation. A comparative prospective evaluation of a real-time TaqMan CMV quantitative PCR (QPCR) with the CMV antigenemia was undertaken. METHODS A real-time quantitative TaqMan CMV PCR from EDTA bloods was developed. In this study 25 heart transplant and single-lung transplant patients were monitored posttransplantation by antigenemia and TaqMan CMV QPCR. CMV DNA extracted from EDTA blood was amplified by TaqMan QPCR using primers and probe designed from the CMV glycoprotein B (gB) gene. Quantification of the genome copies is extrapolated from a standard curve generated from amplification of quantified standards. RESULTS Antigenaemia levels and TaqMan CMV QPCR genome copies showed a linear correlation between the two assays (R=0.843, P=0.001). A clinically significant threshold of 50 CMV pp65 antigen positive polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNLs) per 200 000 cells previously reported was used to extrapolate an equivalent value of 40 000 (log 4.6) genome copies per ml of blood for the TaqMan CMV QPCR. CONCLUSIONS The TaqMan system enables a rapid high-throughput of samples. The TaqMan CMV QPCR can be used as an accurate and robust alternative to the antigenemia test to predict CMV disease and to monitor effectiveness of treatment.