Pharmacokinetics of budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler formulated using co-suspension delivery technology after single and chronic dosing in patients with COPD

Effects of acetylcysteine on micro-inflammation and pulmonary ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, often characterized by increased morbidity and mortality. In traditional Chinese medicine, AECOPD is linked to phlegm-heat and blood-stasis, presenting symptoms like thick sputum, fever, and chest pain. It has been shown that acetylcysteine inhalation in conjunction with conventional therapy significantly reduced inflammatory markers and improved lung function parameters in patients with AECOPD, suggesting that acetylcysteine may be an important adjunctive therapy for patients with phlegm-heat-blood stasis type AECOPD.

AIM

To investigate the effect of acetylcysteine on microinflammation and lung ventilation in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.

METHODS

One hundred patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group received acetylcysteine inhalation (10% solution, 5 mL, twice daily) along with conventional therapy, whereas the control group received only conventional therapy. The treatment duration was 14 d. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in the serum and sputum as well as lung function parameters (forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow) were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Acetylcysteine inhalation led to significant reductions in inflammatory markers and improvements in lung function parameters compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05). This suggests that acetylcysteine could serve as an effective adjunct therapy for patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis-type AECOPD.

RESULTS

Acetylcysteine inhalation significantly reduced inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum and improved lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis type AECOPD compared with the control group. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The study concluded that acetylcysteine inhalation had a positive effect on microinflammation and lung ventilation function in patients with this type of AECOPD, suggesting its potential as an adjuvant therapy for such cases.

CONCLUSION

Acetylcysteine inhalation demonstrated significant improvements in reducing inflammatory markers in the serum and sputum, as well as enhancing lung ventilation function parameters in patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis type AECOPD. These findings suggest that acetylcysteine could serve as a valuable adjuvant therapy for individuals with this specific type of AECOPD, offering benefits for managing microinflammation and optimizing lung function.

Micro-fluidic Spray Freeze Dried Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride-Embedded Dry Powder for Inhalation

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)-embedded dry powder for inhalation (AeDPI) is highly desirable for pulmonary delivery of high-dose drug. Herein, a series of spray freeze-dried (SFD) ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (CH)-embedded dry powders were fabricated via a self-designed micro-fluidic spray freeze tower (MFSFT) capable of tuning freezing temperature of cooling air as the refrigerant medium. The effects of total solid content (TSC), mass ratio of CH to _L-leucine (Leu) as the aerosol dispersion enhancer, and the freezing temperature on particle morphology, size, density, moisture content, crystal properties, flowability, and aerodynamic performance were investigated. It was found that the Leu content and freezing temperature had considerable influence on the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the SFD microparticles. The optimal formulation (CH/Leu = 7:3, TSC = 2%w/w) prepared at - 40°C exhibited remarkable effective drug deposition (~ 33.38%), good aerodynamic performance (~ 47.69% FPF), and excellent storage stability with ultralow hygroscopicity (~ 1.93%). This work demonstrated the promising feasibility of using the MFSFT instead of conventional liquid nitrogen assisted method in the research and development of high-dose AeDPI.

Effect of inhaled budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate delivered via two different devices on lung function in patients with COPD and low peak inspiratory flow

Background and aims:

Low peak inspiratory flow (PIF) is common following severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with COPD and low PIF may be at risk of suboptimal delivery of inhaled therapies to the airways, especially when using devices such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs), which require greater inspiratory effort than metered dose inhalers (MDIs). We report the results from a 2-week crossover study evaluating the effects of inhaled dual therapy with budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate with an MDI with a spacer versus a DPI in patients with COPD and low PIF.

Methods:

This randomized, open-label, two-period (each 1 week in duration) crossover efficacy and safety study included patients with severe-to-very severe COPD and PIF < 50 L/min (NCT04078126). Patients were randomized 1:1 to twice-daily budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate MDI (BFF MDI) 320/10 µg with a spacer for 1 week followed by twice-daily budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihydrate DPI (BUD/FORM DPI) 320/9 µg for 1 week, or the inverse. The primary endpoint was peak change from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) within 4 h post-dose following 1 week of treatment. Other assessments included pre-dose lung function, pharmacokinetics, and safety, as assessed by adverse events.

Results:

The modified intention-to-treat analysis set comprised 30 patients (mean age: 66.9 years; mean baseline FEV₁: 766 mL; mean COPD assessment test score: 22.20). Following 1 week of treatment, both BFF MDI and BUD/FORM DPI improved mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] peak FEV₁ 4 h post-dose [256 (190, 322) mL and 274 (208, 340) mL, respectively]. No clinically meaningful difference between treatments was observed for any lung function endpoint. There were no unexpected safety findings.

Conclusion:

Dual therapy with BFF MDI and with BUD/FORM DPI led to improvements in lung function in patients with severe-to-very severe COPD and low PIF.

Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol Fumarate Co-suspension Metered Dose Inhaler: A Triple Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE

To review current evidence on the use of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of budesonide/glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate (BGFF) triple therapy delivered via metered dose inhaler (MDI) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and offer clinical practice insights.

DATA SOURCES

We used PubMed to conduct the literature search from 1946 through June 30, 2021, using budesonide, glycopyrrolate or glycopyrronium, and formoterol.

STUDY SELECTION AND EXTRACTION

We included clinical trials in patients with COPD along with pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

In all, 19 citations were included. BGFF MDI reduces the risk of exacerbations regardless of exacerbation history compared with dual bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist. Rescue inhaler use decreased, and patient-reported outcomes of symptoms and well-being improved with triple therapy. Mortality was decreased with the higher-dose BGFF MDI in comparison to dual bronchodilator therapy. Dysphonia and candidiasis were more common with BGFF MDI compared with dual bronchodilators, as was pneumonia.

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE

BGFF MDI is the second FDC triple therapy approved for COPD treatment. BGFF MDI improves important patient outcomes in COPD, including exacerbation risk. The unique co-suspension technology allows delivery of 3 active ingredients in 1 inhaler, a potential benefit to overcome adherence and technique-related barriers. These benefits must be gently weighed against the increased risk of pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The findings from phase 3 trials support the efficacy and safety of triple therapy in COPD. Future studies are needed to confirm potential mortality benefit and the role of triple therapy in patients without an exacerbation history.

Budesonide/Glycopyrronium/Formoterol: A Review in COPD

Budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol (BREZTRI AEROSPHERE™; TRIXEO AEROSPHERE™) is an inhaled fixed-dose combination of the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) budesonide, the long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) glycopyrronium bromide and the long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) formoterol fumarate approved for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is delivered via a pressurized metered-dose Aerosphere inhaler and is formulated using co-suspension delivery technology. In two pivotal phase III trials of 24-52 weeks' duration, budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol reduced the rates of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations and improved lung function to a greater extent than budesonide/formoterol and/or glycopyrronium/formoterol. Budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol also demonstrated beneficial effects on dyspnoea, rescue medication requirements and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), and reduced the risk of all-cause mortality. Budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol was generally well tolerated, with the tolerability profile being generally similar to that of the individual components. Budesonide/glycopyrronium/formoterol provides a useful and convenient option for the maintenance treatment of COPD, including for patients whose disease is inadequately controlled with dual ICS/LABA or LAMA/LABA therapy.

Consequences of not-shaking and shake-fire delays on the emitted dose of some commercial solution and suspension pressurized metered dose inhalers

BACKGROUND

Pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) include hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant to generate a drug aerosol upon actuation and drugs can be formulated as solution or suspension. Suspended particles can cream or sediment depending on density differences between drug and propellant and shaking the pMDI is an essential step to ensure a uniform drug dose release.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effect of the delay (0, 10, 30, 60 seconds) in pMDI actuation after shaking and the effect of no-shaking during the canister life on the emitted dose (ED) for commercial solution and suspension pMDIs was investigated.

RESULTS

The ED for solutions was unaffected by no-shaking or by the progressive increasing delay in actuation after shaking (between 77% and 97%). For all the suspension products, shaking was demonstrated to be critical to assure the close to nominal drug delivery. In detail, the actuation delay after shaking led to an increase up to 380% or a drop to 32% of ED in relation to the label claim with high variability.

CONCLUSION

The drug delivered can vary widely for no-shaking and over different shake-fire delays with suspension pMDIs while solution formulations appear to remain stable.