Montelukast versus inhaled corticosteroids in the management of pediatric mild persistent asthma

CONCENTRATIONS OF CYSTEINYL LEUKOTRIENES IN VARIOUS BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS OF CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA, ATOPIC DERMATITIS AND FOOD PROTEIN INDUCED ENTEROCOLITIS

Clinical manifestation of food allergy is characterized by polymorphic cutaneous, respiratory and gastrointestinal syndromes. Leukotrienes occupy a key place in the pathogenesis of a wide range of inflammatory diseases, including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, hives, allergic conjunctivitis, atherosclerotic cardio-vascular lesions system, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer, etc. Better understanding of general pathophysiological mechanisms of allergic realization put the focus on the studying of cysteinyl leukotrienes biological effects in infants with atopic dermatitis and food-protein induced enterocolitis important. Aim. To optimize the diagnosis of allergic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract in children. Methods. The study was conducted in the allergy center and children clinic of the «Institute Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O. Lukyanova of NAMS of Ukraine». Children were included from September 2017 to June 2018. We examined 60 patients aged from 3 months to 3 years old, including 22 patients with atopic dermatitis, 18 children with food-protein induced enterocolitis, 8 patients with bronchial asthma in the stage of aggravation and 12 practically healthy children (control group). Medical examination have been perfomed, general IG E and specific serum IG E were defined by ImmunoCAP (Phadia, 100), as well as concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTB4, LTC4, LTE4) in biological liquids (serum, saliva, urine) using immunoenzyme method using the production sets of the "Enzolifescience" (USA) company on the analyzer-photometer Multiskan Plus "Labsystems". The results of the received data were processed statistically. The probability of differences was estimated with Student’s t-test and Tau Kendall rank correlation test. The difference was considered significant at p <0.05. Results. A significant increase in the concentrations of cysteinyl leukotrienes (C4, D4, E4) in the blood, urine and saliva was found in infants with allergic skin diseases, gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract surveyed during manifestation the disease compared with the control group. Comparison of concentrations of leukotrienes in urine and saliva of children with atopic dermatitis (AD), food-protein induced enterocolitis (FPIE) and asthma did not find credible. However, in the serum of patients with asthma, the concentration of cysteinyl leukotrienes was significantly higher (703.9±68.7) pg / ml than in children with enterocolitis induced by dietary proteins (509.3±57.4) pg / ml and significantly did not differ from patients with atopic dermatitis (695.2±46.3) pg / ml. According to the results of Kendall Tau correlation test, no significant Spearman rank correlation was found between the cysteinyl leukotrienes concentration in blood and urine – r=0.14 (p>0.05), blood and saliva r=0.07 (p>0.05), urine and saliva r=–0.52 (p>0.05). Conclusions. Increase in cysteinyl leukotrienes concentrations in serum, urine and saliva of children of early age with allergic skin diseases, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract was found. The absence of significant Spearman rank correlation between concentrations of leukotrienes in blood and urine, blood and saliva, saliva and urine shows that it is possible to select any biological fluid, saliva or urine, as a non-invasive way to determine the leukotriene concentrations for monitoring activity of allergic inflammation.

Effect of montelukast on the expression of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in children with acute bronchial asthma

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of montelukast on the expression of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells in children with acute bronchial asthma. Fifty-six child patients with acute bronchial asthma treated in the Department of Pneumology at the Shangluo Central Hospital were selected and randomly divided into the control group (n=28) and treatment group (n=28). The control group was treated with the conventional therapy of bronchial asthma, while the treatment group received montelukast on the basis of the control group for 7 days. The clinical symptoms, lung function and proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells in peripheral T lymphocyte subsets in patients in the two groups were observed. Moreover, the levels of inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in peripheral blood in both groups were detected. The effective treatment rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), and the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and 25% peak expiratory flow (PEF25) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The proportions of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells in the two groups after drug therapy were significantly increased. The proportion and content per unit volume of peripheral CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells in the treatment group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5 and IL-6 in peripheral blood in the two groups were significantly decreased. However, the levels of transferrin-γ (TFN-γ) and IL-10 were significantly increased (P<0.01). The IgE level in the treatment group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). In conclusion, montelukast can regulate the T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 balance, increase the expression of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells, and improve the airway inflammation caused by acute bronchial asthma and the clinical symptoms and lung function of patients with acute bronchial asthma.

The Use of Mouse Asthma Models to Successfully Discover and Develop Novel Drugs

The past 20 years have seen a proliferation of scientific data on the pathophysiology of asthma. Most of these data were generated in mice using tool reagents, gene-deficient or transgenic animals. In contrast, studies on disease pathogenesis in patients are scarce. Previously, a good novel antiasthma target for drug development was one that abrogated asthma in mice when it was knocked out, neutralized or induced asthma when it was overexpressed. This type of approach led to many drug candidates that worked in mice but unfortunately failed in patients, thereby demonstrating that the results of experiments in mice are not always predictive of clinical efficacy. Currently, there is active debate about the use of mouse models in drug discovery. In this review, we summarize the obstacles and challenges faced when using experimental mouse models of asthma in drug discovery. We propose that the initial selection of a novel drug target begins with defining the unmet medical need and specific patient population, followed by a thorough evaluation of available human data, and, only then, well-planned and executed mouse asthma experiments. Using this approach, we argue that mouse models lend support for the target when the models are tailored for the specific asthma patient population, and that targeted, reliable, and predictive mouse models can indeed improve and accelerate the drug discovery process.

Montelukast, current indications and prospective future applications

INTRODUCTION

Montelukast is recommended for the treatment of asthma, exercise -induced bronchospasm and allergic rhinitis. Several trials demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in other respiratory conditions, and different animal-model-based studies explored potential pharmacological actions in non-respiratory conditions.

AREAS COVERED

Clinical investigations on the pharmacotherapeutic effects of montelukast, in addition to in-vivo studies on animal models of non-respiratory diseases. The data discussed in this review were mainly obtained from clinical randomized trials, real-life studies, and studies based on animal models as approve of concept. As a condition, all of the discussed articles were published in journals cited by Pubmed. Expert commentary: The current clinical data are in favor of montelukast use in the management of chronic asthma as an add-on or alternative therapy to the inhaled corticosteroids. Further clinical trials are required to confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of montelukast for the treatment of conditions other than the current clinical indications.

Interchangeability and comparative effectiveness between generic and brand montelukast immediate release tablets after a single oral administration in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The release of leukotrienes causes narrowing and constricting in the respiratory airways. Blocking the action of these leukotrienes, montelukast can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of chronic asthma.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the interchangeability and comparative effectiveness between a generic and a brand montelukast 10 mg immediate release tablets (Broncast(®) and Singulair(®), respectively) after a single oral dose among Arab Mediterranean volunteers.

METHODS

An open-label, randomized two-period crossover bioequivalence design was conducted in 31 healthy male volunteers with a 1 week washout between each study period and under fasting conditions. The plasma drug concentration was assessed by using a previously validated LC MS/MS method. The ratio between the generic and brand of geometric least squares means was reported for both generic and brand products. Moreover, an in vitro dissolution study was conducted on generic and brand tablets using three different pH media, and similarity and non-similarity factors (f2 and f1) were calculated.

RESULTS

The used bioanalytical method was found to be linear within the range 6.098-365.855 ng/mL. The correlation coefficient was close to 0.999 during the course of the study validation. Statistical comparison of the main pharmacokinetic parameters showed the inexistence of any significant difference between generic and the brand. The point estimates (ratios of geometric means) were 111.939, 111.711, and 112.169 % for AUC0-24, AUC0-∞, and Cmax, respectively. The 90 % confidence intervals (CIs) were within the pre-defined limits of 80.00-125.00 % as specified by the FDA and EMA for bioequivalence studies. F2 and f1 were higher than 50 and lower than 15, respectively in all selected pH media.

CONCLUSION

Broncast(®) immediate release film coated tablets (10 mg/tablet) are bioequivalent to Singulair(®) immediate release film coated tablets (10 mg/tablet), with a comparable safety and efficacy profile. This suggests that these two formulations can be clinically considered interchangeable. The dissolution study suggests that it could be used as premarketing quality control parameter in order to maintain the high quality of the produced product.

Investigation of the bioequivalence of montelukast chewable tablets after a single oral administration using a validated LC-MS/MS method

Background

Montelukast (MT) is a leukotriene D4 antagonist. It is an effective and safe medicine for the prophylaxis and treatment of chronic asthma. It is also used to prevent acute exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and as a symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioequivalence (BE) of two drug products: generic MT 5 mg chewable tablets versus the branded drug Singulair^® pediatric 5 mg chewable tablets among Mediterranean volunteers.

Methods

An open-label, randomized two-period crossover BE design was conducted in 32 healthy male volunteers with a 9-day washout period between doses and under fasting conditions. The drug concentrations in plasma were quantified by using a newly developed and fully validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental model. The ratio for generic/branded tablets using geometric least squares means was calculated for both the MT products.

Results

The relationship between concentration and peak area ratio was found to be linear within the range 6.098–365.855 ng/mL. The correlation coefficient (R²) was always greater than 0.99 during the course of the validation. Statistical comparison of the main pharmacokinetic parameters showed no significant difference between the generic and branded products. The point estimates (ratios of geometric means) were 101.2%, 101.6%, and 98.11% for area under the curve (AUC)_0→last, AUC_0→inf, and C_max, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals were within the predefined limits of 80.00%–125.00% as specified by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency for BE studies.

Conclusion

Broncast^® pediatric chewable tablets (5 mg/tablet) are bioequivalent to Singulair^® pediatric chewable tablets (5 mg/tablet), with a similar safety profile. This suggests that these two formulations can be considered interchangeable in clinical practice.

Bioequivalence of two formulations of montelukast sodium 4 mg oral granules in healthy adults

Montelukast is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma, acute prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis. The aim of the study was to compare bioavailability, and characterise the pharmacokinetic profile and safety of Sandoz generic montelukast 4 mg oral granules relative to Singulair^® mini (Merck, Sharp & Dohme). An open-label, randomised, single-dose, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence, two-way crossover bioequivalence study was conducted in healthy male volunteers aged 18–55 years, under fasting conditions. The duration of the clinical part of the trial was ≈ 11 days. Montelukast levels in plasma were quantified using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method, and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from the drug concentration–time profile using a non-compartmental model. A total of 40 subjects completed both study periods. The ratio test/reference of geometric least squares means was calculated for both formulations of montelukast for the In-transformed pharmacokinetic parameters; the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) were within the pre-defined limits of 80.00–125.00%: 92.2% (90% CI: 87.42–97.30%) for C_max, 98.1% (90% CI: 94.49–101.81%) for AUC_0–t and 97.6% (90% CI: 94.14–101.27%) for AUC_0–∞. Two study subjects each reported one mild adverse event: dyspepsia (possibly related to study medication) and throat pain (not considered related to study medication). Sandoz montelukast 4 mg oral granules are bioequivalent to Singulair^® 4 mg mini oral granules, with a similar safety profile. This suggests that these two preparations can be considered interchangeable in clinical practice.