Ensifentrine as a Novel, Inhaled Treatment for Patients with COPD

New FDA drug approvals for 2024: Synthesis and clinical application

In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a range of new drugs, including both 32 new chemical entities (NCEs) and 18 biological entities (NBEs). Among the approved new drugs, small-molecule chemical drugs remained the main force for innovation, taking a commanding lead with a proportion of 64 %, covering targets like LACTB, PBP, THR-β, Raf, PDE3/4, and HIF. Monoclonal antibodies followed with 13 drugs (26 %), along with 2 protein-based drugs (4 %), 2 small nucleic acid drugs (4 %), and 1 parathyroid hormone analogue (2 %). The diseases treated by these approved new drugs were diverse, with the total number of new drugs for treating rare diseases and cancers ranking high. Additionally, multiple new drugs were also approved in the fields of anti-infective and central nervous system diseases. Similar to previous years, many of these drugs are likely to undergo accelerated approval processes to address urgent medical needs, particularly for rare diseases. This review provides an overview of the synthesis and clinical applications of NCEs approved by the FDA in 2024. The increasing importance of clinical applications has also been discussed. This review aims to provide valuable insights for the design of future drugs, particularly in the context of rare and complex diseases.

Nebulized inhalation drug delivery: clinical applications and advancements in research

Nebulized inhalation is a non-invasive drug delivery method with fast onset, low dosage, and fewer side effects. This review covers its principles, devices, clinical applications, and future trends in respiratory and systemic diseases.

Safety and efficacy of ensifentrine in COPD: A systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impacts global health due to persistent airflow limitation and inflammation. Despite standard therapies, symptoms persist. Ensifentrine, targeting both bronchoconstriction and inflammation as a dual phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor, offers a promising therapeutic advancement for COPD management. This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of ensifentrine in improving lung function, dyspnea, and quality of life in COPD patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science through August 2024 for randomized controlled trials evaluating ensifentrine in COPD patients over a minimum of four weeks. Data extraction and screening utilized Knowledge software, and meta-analyses were performed using R v4.4 with a random-effects model.

RESULTS

From 206 studies identified, four met our inclusion criteria. Ensifentrine improved FEV1 significantly at a dose of 3 mg (LS mean difference: 40.90 mL; 95 % CI: 19.65-62.15). It also improved dyspnea as measured by the Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) (LS mean difference: 0.91; 95 % CI: 0.61-1.21) and quality of life according to the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire-C (SGRQ-C) scores (LS mean difference: -1.92; 95 % CI: -3.28 to -0.55). Safety profiles were comparable between the ensifentrine and placebo groups, with no significant increase in treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (RR: 1.02; 95 % CI: 0.94-1.10).

CONCLUSION

Ensifentrine significantly enhances lung function, reduces dyspnea, and improves quality of life in COPD patients, especially at a 3 mg dose. These benefits, coupled with a stable safety profile, support its use as an adjunctive therapy in COPD management.

Efficacy and safety of ensifentrine, a novel phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of Ensifentrine in COPD via a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

We performed a detailed literature search on Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane on the basis of pre-specified eligibility criteria. We used Review Manager to calculate pooled mean differences (MD) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) using a random effects model. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included RCTs.

RESULTS

A total of 4 studies, consisting of 2020 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. The mean age ranged from 62.5 years to 65.5 years in the included studies. All the included studies were at low risk of bias. Ensifentrine 3 mg dose significantly improved the mean peak Forced Expiratory Volume-1 (FEV-1), morning trough FEV-1, TDI score, ERS score, and SGRQ-C score as compared to the placebo, yielding a pooled MD of 149.76 (95% CI, 127.9 to 171.6), 43.93 (95% CI, 23.82 to 64.05), 0.92 (95% CI, 0.64 to 1.21, -1.20 (95% CI, -1.99 to -0.40), and -1.92 (95% CI, -3.24 to -0.59), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ensifentrine is associated with improvements in outcomes related to COPD symptoms such as peak FEV-1, morning trough FEV-1 and TDI in the patients suffering from this chronic disease. It is also associated with improved quality of life as seen by E-RS score and SGRQ-C score.

Dual Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 Enzymes by Ensifentrine Protects against MRSA-Induced Lung Endothelial and Epithelial Dysfunction

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung condition with a high mortality rate for which there are no effective therapeutics. The failure of the alveolar-capillary barrier, composed of lung endothelial (EC) and alveolar epithelial (AEC) cells, is a critical factor leading to excessive inflammation and edema characteristic of acute lung injury (ALI) pathophysiology. Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are enzymes well-recognized for their roles in regulating endothelial permeability and inflammation. Although PDE inhibitors are used as therapeutics for inflammatory diseases like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), their efficacy in treating ARDS has not yet been established. In this study, we investigated the effects of ensifentrine, an FDA-approved novel dual PDE 3/4 inhibitor, on lung endothelial and epithelial dysfunction caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), a pathogen involved in bacterial ARDS. Human primary lung endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cell lines (A549 and immortalized AEC) were treated with heat-killed MRSA, and their responses were assessed in the presence or absence of ensifentrine. Ensifentrine given either pre- or post-exposure attenuated MRSA-induced increased lung endothelial permeability. VE-cadherin junctions, which serve to stabilize the EC barrier, were disrupted by MRSA; however, ensifentrine effectively prevented this disruption. Pre-treatment with ensifentrine protected against MRSA-induced EC pro-inflammatory signaling by inhibiting the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and by reducing the IL-6 and IL-8 release. In AEC, MRSA caused the upregulation of ICAM-1, the activation of NF-kB, and the production of IL-8, all of which were inhibited by ensifentrine. These results indicate that the dual inhibition of phosphodiesterases 3 and 4 by ensifentrine is barrier protective and attenuates MRSA-induced inflammation in both lung endothelial and epithelial cells. The PDE3/4 inhibitor ensifentrine may represent a promising novel strategy for the treatment of MRSA-induced ARDS.

Update on the pharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common syndrome associated with smoking and environmental exposures coupled with genetic susceptibility. Recent major advancements in the treatment of COPD patients have become available.

AREAS COVERED

New data on the role of classic bronchodilators, including short-acting and long-acting beta2-agonists and anti-muscarinic antagonists, in the treatment of COPD patients are discussed. Data promoting a more targeted approach to inhaled and systemic corticosteroid use in COPD are reviewed. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, including the recently approved PDE 3/4 inhibitor inhaled ensifentrine, are noted. Selective use of antibiotics can play a role in complex COPD patients. COPD patients with evidence of asthma-COPD overlap syndrome and type-two lymphocytic inflammatory-mediated airway constriction appear to respond to biologics, particularly the anti-IL-4/IL-3 antagonist monoclonal antibody, dupilumab.

EXPERT OPINION

New therapeutic options have made the approach and treatment of the COPD patient much more complicated. These options tend to be very expensive. Attention to identifying the endotype and phenotype will help direct the pharmacotherapy.

Effect of ensifentrine on dyspnea in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: pooled analysis of the ENHANCE trials

BACKGROUND

Dyspnea is a critical component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We report the effect of ensifentrine, a novel PDE3/PDE4 inhibitor, on dyspnea using pooled data from the Phase 3 ENHANCE-1/2 trials.

METHODS

The pooled population (ensifentrine, n = 975; placebo, n = 574) included patients aged 40-80 years with post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7, FEV1 30-70% predicted, mMRC Dyspnea Scale score ≥2, and a smoking history ≥10 pack-years. Patients taking dual LAMA/LABA or LAMA/LABA/ICS triple therapy were excluded. Dyspnea measures included the Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI), Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms (E-RS), and rescue medication use.

RESULTS

After 24 weeks, ensifentrine significantly improved TDI scores (least-squares mean difference, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.64, 1.30; p < 0.001) and across all TDI subdomains. Ensifentrine-treated patients were more likely to be TDI responders at week 24 (p < 0.001), which was consistent across clinically relevant subgroups. Ensifentrine-treated patients had improved E-RS breathlessness subdomain scores (p = 0.053) and reduced rescue medication use (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Ensifentrine produced clinically meaningful improvements in multiple dyspnea measures in patients with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe COPD. A limitation of this study was the exclusion of patients taking dual LAMA/LABA and LAMA/LABA/ICS triple therapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.clinicaltrials.gov identifiers are ENHANCE-1: NCT04535986; ENHANCE-2: NCT04542057.

What role will ensifentrine play in the future treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients? Implications from recent clinical trials

Data from the phase III ENHANCE clinical trials provide compelling evidence that ensifentrine, an inhaled 'bifunctional' dual phosphodiesterase 3/4 inhibitor, can provide additional benefit to existing treatments in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and represents a 'first-in-class' drug having bifunctional bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activity in a single molecule. Ensifentrine, generally well tolerated, can provide additional bronchodilation when added to muscarinic receptor antagonists or β2-agonists and reduce the exacerbation risk. This information allows us to consider better the possible inclusion of ensifentrine in the future treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, there is less information on whether it provides additional benefit when added to inhaled corticosteroid or 'triple therapy' and, therefore, when this drug is best utilized in clinical practice.