New Treatment for Difficult-to-Treat Asthma Is Safe, Effective After 1 Year
Dupilumab is a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe asthma and fixed airway obstruction, according to data presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2019 International Conference.
This data was presented by study author J. Mark FitzGerald, from the University of British Columbia, on Monday, May 20.
FOR MORE ATS 2019 COVERAGE, READ MORE...
Novel Inhibitor Reduces the Rate of RTIs in Elderly Adults With Asthma
E-Cigarettes Limit the Body’s Fight Against Influenza
FitzGerald and colleagues came to this conclusion after analyzing the results of the phase 3 LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST study, which initially found that add-on dupilumab 200 mg and 300 mg every 2 weeks significantly reduced annualized severe exacerbation rates, improved pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and improved quality-of-life measures in patients with uncontrolled, moderate to severe asthma, compared with placebo.
This new analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dupilumab in patients with late-onset asthma, defined as an asthma diagnosis after age 40 years.
Negative binomial regression models were used to determine the annualized rate of severe exacerbations during the 52-week treatment period.
Results showed that dupilumab treatment significantly reduced the annualized rate of severe exacerbations in patients with late-onset asthma and fixed airway obstruction. Treatment also improved pre- and post-bronchodilator FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio after 12 weeks and 52 weeks.
“In patients with late-onset asthma with or without fixed airway obstruction, dupilumab significantly reduced severe exacerbation rates,” the researchers concluded.
“Furthermore, lung function improvements were observed at Weeks 12 and 52 in patients with late-onset asthma and fixed airway obstruction, who typically experience worse asthma outcomes than do those without fixed airway obstruction.”
—Amanda Balbi
Reference:
Hanania NA, Bateman ED, Castro M, et al. Dupilumab reduces severe exacerbations and improves lung function in late-onset, uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma patients enrolled in the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST study. Paper presented at: ATS International Conference; May 17-22, 2019; Dallas, TX. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/5789/presentation/11777.