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Erjefält JS. Anatomical and histopathological approaches to asthma phenotyping. Respir Med 2023; 210:107168. [PMID: 36822489 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is typically characterized by variable respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Along with the pathophysiology and symptoms are immunological and inflammatory processes. The last decades research has revealed that the immunology of asthma is highly heterogeneous. This has clinical consequences and identification of immunological phenotypes is currently used to guide biological treatment. The focus of this review is on another dimension of asthma diversity, namely anatomical heterogeneity. Immunopathological alterations may go beyond the central airways to also involve the distal airways, the alveolar parenchyma, and pulmonary vessels. Also, extrapulmonary tissues are affected. The anatomical distribution of inflammation in asthma has remained relatively poorly discussed despite its potential implication on both clinical presentation and response to treatment. There is today evidence that a significant proportion of the asthma patients has small airway disease with type 2 immunity, eosinophilia and smooth muscle infiltration of mast cells. The small airways in asthma are also subjected to remodelling, constriction, and luminal plugging, events that are likely to contribute to the elevated distal airway resistance seen in some patients. In cases when the inflammation extends into the alveolar parenchyma alveolar FCER1-high mast cells, eosinophilia, type 2 immunity and activated alveolar macrophages, together with modest interstitial remodelling, create a complex immunopathological picture. Importantly, the distal lung inflammation in asthma can be pharmacologically targeted by use of inhalers with more distal drug deposition. Biological treatments, which are readily distributed to the distal lung, may also be beneficial in eligible patients with more severe and anatomically widespread disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas S Erjefält
- Unit of Airway Inflammation, Department of Experimental Medical Research, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Allergology and Respiratory Medicine, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
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Mairinger S, Hernández-Lozano I, Zeitlinger M, Ehrhardt C, Langer O. Nuclear medicine imaging methods as novel tools in the assessment of pulmonary drug disposition. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2022; 19:1561-1575. [PMID: 36255136 DOI: 10.1080/17425247.2022.2137143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases are commonly administered by oral inhalation. Yet surprisingly little is known about the pulmonary pharmacokinetics of inhaled molecules. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques (i.e. planar gamma scintigraphy, single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] and positron emission tomography [PET]) enable the noninvasive dynamic measurement of the lung concentrations of radiolabeled drugs or drug formulations. This review discusses the potential of nuclear medicine imaging techniques in inhalation biopharmaceutical research. AREAS COVERED (i) Planar gamma scintigraphy studies with radiolabeled inhalation formulations to assess initial pulmonary drug deposition; (ii) imaging studies with radiolabeled drugs to assess their intrapulmonary pharmacokinetics; (iii) receptor occupancy studies to quantify the pharmacodynamic effect of inhaled drugs. EXPERT OPINION Imaging techniques hold potential to bridge the knowledge gap between animal models and humans with respect to the pulmonary disposition of inhaled drugs. However, beyond the mere assessment of the initial lung deposition of inhaled formulations with planar gamma scintigraphy, imaging techniques have rarely been employed in pulmonary drug development. This may be related to several technical challenges encountered with such studies. Considering the wealth of information that can be obtained with imaging studies their use in inhalation biopharmaceutics should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Severin Mairinger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Markus Zeitlinger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carsten Ehrhardt
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Oliver Langer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Usmani OS, Baldi S, Warren S, Panni I, Girardello L, Rony F, Taylor G, DeBacker W, Georges G. Lung Deposition of Inhaled Extrafine Beclomethasone Dipropionate/Formoterol Fumarate/Glycopyrronium Bromide in Healthy Volunteers and Asthma: The STORM Study. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2022; 35:179-185. [PMID: 35128939 PMCID: PMC9416540 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2021.0046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: An extrafine formulation triple therapy combination of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), formoterol fumarate (FF), and glycopyrronium bromide (GB) has been developed for the maintenance treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study used gamma scintigraphy to evaluate the intrapulmonary and extrapulmonary in vivo deposition of BDP/FF/GB, and the intrapulmonary regional distribution of the deposited formulation. Methods: This open-label uncontrolled nonrandomized single-dose study recruited 10 healthy volunteers and 9 patients with asthma. After a krypton-81m (81mKr) ventilation scan was conducted, subjects inhaled study drug (four inhalations of BDP/FF/GB 100/6/12.5 μg radiolabeled using technetium-99 m [99mTc]) through pressurized metered-dose inhaler, and a series of scintigraphic images were taken. The primary objective was to evaluate intrapulmonary drug deposition of BDP/FF/GB, determined as the percentage of nominal (i.e., metered) dose. Secondary endpoints included central/peripheral deposition ratio (C/P), and the standardized central/peripheral ratio (sC/P; 99mTc aerosol C/P/81mKr gas C/P). Results: All participants completed the study, with all scintigraphy procedures performed at one site. In patients with asthma, mean ± standard deviation intrapulmonary deposition was 25.50% ± 6.81%, not significantly different to that in healthy volunteers (22.74% ± 9.19%; p = 0.4715). Approximately half of the lung dose was deposited in the peripheral region of the lung (fraction deposited 0.52 ± 0.07 and 0.49 ± 0.06 in healthy volunteers and patients with asthma, respectively), resulting in C/P ratios of 0.94 ± 0.25 and 1.06 ± 0.25, respectively, with sC/P ratios of 1.80 ± 0.40 and 1.94 ± 0.38. Deposition patterns were similar in the two populations. BDP/FF/GB was well tolerated. Conclusions: This study confirmed that the extrafine particles delivered by BDP/FF/GB penetrate the peripheral areas of the lungs, with a similar proportion of particles deposited in the central and peripheral regions. Importantly, the deposition patterns were similar in healthy volunteers and patients with asthma, suggesting that disease characteristics are unlikely to impact drug deposition. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03795350.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S Usmani
- NHLI Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Simon Warren
- Cardiff Scintigraphics Ltd., Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Glyn Taylor
- Cardiff Scintigraphics Ltd., Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Wilfried DeBacker
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
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Commentaries on Viewpoint: Small airways vs. large airways in asthma: time for a new perspective. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 131:1842-1848. [PMID: 34898290 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00762.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Yu XY, Jin X, Shou ZX. Surface-engineered smart nanocarrier-based inhalation formulations for targeted lung cancer chemotherapy: a review of current practices. Drug Deliv 2021; 28:1995-2010. [PMID: 34569401 PMCID: PMC8477964 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2021.1981492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the second most common and lethal cancer in the world. Chemotherapy is the preferred treatment modality for lung cancer and prolongs patient survival by effective controlling of tumor growth. However, owing to the nonspecific delivery of anticancer drugs, systemic chemotherapy has limited clinical efficacy and significant systemic adverse effects. Inhalation routes, on the other hand, allow for direct delivery of drugs to the lungs in high local concentrations, enhancing their anti-tumor activity with minimum side effects. Preliminary research studies have shown that inhaled chemotherapy may be tolerated with manageable adverse effects such as bronchospasm and cough. Enhancing the anticancer drugs deposition in tumor cells and limiting their distribution to other healthy cells will therefore increase their clinical efficacy and decrease their local and systemic toxicities. Because of the controlled release and localization of tumors, nanoparticle formulations are a viable option for the delivery of chemotherapeutics to lung cancers via inhalation. The respiratory tract physiology and lung clearance mechanisms are the key barriers to the effective deposition and preservation of inhaled nanoparticle formulations in the lungs. Designing and creating smart nanoformulations to optimize lung deposition, minimize pulmonary clearance, and improve cancerous tissue targeting have been the subject of recent research studies. This review focuses on recent examples of work in this area, along with the opportunities and challenges for the pulmonary delivery of smart nanoformulations to treat lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Yan Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Chun'an First People's Hospital, (Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital Chun'an Branch), Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Xue Jin
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Zhang-Xuan Shou
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, PR China.,Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China
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Usmani OS, Dhand R, Lavorini F, Price D. Why We Should Target Small Airways Disease in Our Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Mayo Clin Proc 2021; 96:2448-2463. [PMID: 34183115 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
For more than 50 years, small airways disease has been considered a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a major cause of airway obstruction. Both preventable and treatable, small airways disease has important clinical consequences if left unchecked. Small airways disease is associated with poor spirometry results, increased lung hyperinflation, and poor health status, making the small airways an important treatment target in COPD. The early detection of small airways disease remains the key barrier; if detected early, treatments designed to target small airways may help reduce symptoms and allow patients to maintain their activities. Studies are needed to evaluate the possible role of new drugs and novel drug formulations, inhalers, and inhalation devices for treating small airways disease. These developments will help to improve our management of small airways disease in patients with COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S Usmani
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, and Royal Brompton Hospital, Airways Disease Section, London, UK.
| | - Rajiv Dhand
- Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville
| | - Federico Lavorini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - David Price
- Observational and Pragmatic Research Institute, Singapore; Optimum Patient Care, Cambridge, UK; Centre of Academic Primary Care, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Usmani OS, Mignot B, Kendall I, Maria RD, Cocconi D, Georges G, Scichilone N. Predicting Lung Deposition of Extrafine Inhaled Corticosteroid-Containing Fixed Combinations in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using Functional Respiratory Imaging: An In Silico Study. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv 2021; 34:204-211. [PMID: 33052749 PMCID: PMC8219200 DOI: 10.1089/jamp.2020.1601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Functional respiratory imaging (FRI) is a computational fluid dynamics-based technique using three-dimensional models of human lungs and formulation profiles to simulate aerosol deposition. Methods: FRI was used to evaluate lung deposition of extrafine beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP)/formoterol fumarate (FF)/glycopyrronium bromide (GB) and extrafine BDP/FF delivered through pressurized metered dose inhalers and to compare results with reference gamma scintigraphy data. FRI combined high-resolution computed tomography scans of 20 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second 42% predicted) with in silico computational flow simulations, and incorporated drug delivery parameters to calculate aerosol airway deposition. Inhalation was simulated using profiles obtained from real-life measurements. Results: Total lung deposition (proportion deposited in intrathoracic region) was similarly high for both products, with mean ± standard deviation (SD) values of 31.0% ± 5.7% and 28.1% ± 5.2% (relative to nominal dose) for BDP/FF/GB and BDP/FF, respectively. Pairwise comparison of the deposition of BDP and FF gave a mean intrathoracic BDP/FF/GB:BDP/FF deposition ratio of 1.10 (p = 0.0405). Mean intrathoracic, central and peripheral deposition ratios for BDP were 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05-1.14), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89-0.96), and 1.20 (95% CI: 1.15-1.26), respectively, and for FF were 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07-1.15), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.98), and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.15-1.27), within the bioequivalence range (0.80-1.25) for intrathoracic and central regions, and slightly exceeding the upper boundary in the peripheral region. Mean ± SD central:peripheral deposition (C:P) was 0.48 ± 0.13 for BDP/FF/GB and 0.62 ± 0.17 for BDP/FF, indicating a higher proportion of drug deposition in the small airways than in the large airways. Conclusion: FRI demonstrated similar deposition patterns for extrafine BDP/FF/GB and BDP/FF, with both having a high lung deposition. Moreover, the deposition patterns of BDP and FF were similar in both products. Furthermore, the C:P ratios of both products indicated a high peripheral deposition, supporting small airway targeting and delivery of these two extrafine fixed combinations, with a small difference in ratios potentially due to mass median aerodynamic diameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S. Usmani
- Airway Disease Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Roberta De Maria
- Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls, Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniela Cocconi
- Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls, Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA, Parma, Italy
| | - George Georges
- Global Clinical Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Scichilone
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Promoting Health, Maternal-Infant Excellence and Internal and Specialized Medicine (Promise), G. D'Alessandro, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Usmani OS, Roche N, Jenkins M, Stjepanovic N, Mack P, De Backer W. Consistent Pulmonary Drug Delivery with Whole Lung Deposition Using the Aerosphere Inhaler: A Review of the Evidence. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2021; 16:113-124. [PMID: 33500616 PMCID: PMC7822085 DOI: 10.2147/copd.s274846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) are one of the most common device types for delivering inhaled therapies. However, there are several technical challenges in development and drug delivery of these medications. In particular, suspension-based MDIs are susceptible to suspension heterogeneity, in vitro drug–drug interactions, and patient handling errors, which may all affect drug delivery. To overcome these challenges, new formulation approaches are required. The AerosphereTM inhaler, formulated using co-suspension delivery technology, combines drug crystals with porous phospholipid particles to create stable, homogenous suspensions that dissolve once they reach the airways. Two combination therapies using this technology have been developed for the treatment of COPD: glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate (GFF MDI; dual combination) and budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate (BGF MDI; triple combination). Here, we review the evidence with a focus on studies assessing dose delivery, lung deposition, and effects on airway geometry. In vitro assessments have demonstrated that the Aerosphere inhaler provides consistent dose delivery, even in the presence of simulated patient handling errors. Combination therapies delivered with this technology also show a consistent fine particle fraction (FPF) and an optimal particle size distribution for delivery to the central and peripheral airways even when multiple drugs are delivered via the same inhaler. Studies using gamma scintigraphy and functional respiratory imaging have demonstrated that GFF MDI is effectively deposited in the central and peripheral airways, and provides clinically meaningful benefits on airway volume and resistance throughout the lung. Overall, studies suggest that the Aerosphere inhaler, formulated using co-suspension delivery technology, may offer advantages over traditional formulations, including consistent delivery of multiple components across patient handling conditions, optimal particle size and FPF, and effective delivery to the central and peripheral airways. Future studies may provide additional evidence to further characterize the clinical benefits of these technical improvements in MDI drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S Usmani
- National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI), Imperial College London, and Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Roche
- Respiratory Medicine, Cochin Hospital, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Wilfried De Backer
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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