Bronchoprotective and bronchodilator effects of an HFA pMDI vs. a CFC pMDI and a DPI containing formoterol in asthma patients

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study we compared the bronchoprotective effects of formoterol 12 microg inhaled via an HFA-134a inhaler (Modulite HFA) versus a CFC and a DPI device in 38 patients with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. All three formoterol preparations significantly increased methacholine PD20 and FEV1 and improved small airway function parameters compared with placebo (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between formoterol formulations. In conclusion, Modulite HFA formoterol was found to be an effective and well tolerated treatment in patients with asthma, with comparable efficacy to current formoterol preparations.

Measuring bronchodilation in COPD clinical trials

AIMS

The aim of this study was to compare the variability and sensitivity of impulse oscillometry (R5, X5 and RF), plethysmography (Raw and sGaw) and spirometry (FEV1, FVC and MMEF) in order to determine the most powerful technique for assessing bronchodilation in COPD clinical trials.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients with COPD had impulse oscillometry, plethysmography and spirometry measured twice 30 mins apart, to determine variability. Then ascending doses of salbutamol (20, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 microg) were given and the same measurements made after each dose. Significant changes greater than variability were determined for each performed measurement (expressed as mean percentage improvement with 95% CI).

RESULTS

Significant effects (P < 0.05) were detected after 20 microg by X5 (18.5% CI 9.8-27.2) RF (11.1% CI 7.2-15.0) and sGaw (21.5% CI 10.1-32.9), and after 50 microg by R5 (16.7% CI 10.8-22.5) and Raw (19.7% CI 13.0-26.4). FEV1 was less sensitive, detecting significant bronchodilation at 100 microg (10.2% CI 7.4-12.9).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that impulse oscillometry and plethysmography should be considered the preferred techniques for measuring bronchodilation in COPD clinical trials.

A comparison of plethysmography, spirometry and oscillometry for assessing the pulmonary effects of inhaled ipratropium bromide in healthy subjects and patients with asthma

AIMS

We have compared the ability of plethysmography (sGaw), impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry (FEV(1), MMEF) to detect bronchodilation in response to an anticholinergic.

METHODS

IOS (R5, R20, X5, RF), sGaw and spirometry were measured in 12 healthy subjects and 12 asthmatics. Variability was assessed by performing two measurements, 30 min apart and the effect of increasing the number of readings for each sGaw measurement was also studied. Ipratropium bromide (IB) 10, 20, 100 and 200 microg was administered and the sensitivity of the methods compared by determining the lowest dose that caused changes greater than variability.

RESULTS

In healthy subjects significant changes (P < or = 0.05) occurred at 10 microg for FEV(1) (mean [95% CI]; 1.3%[0.3-2.3]), R5 (mean [95% CI]; -7.9%, [-13.2-2.6]) and R20 (mean [95% CI], -6.4%, [-11.4-1.4]). No significant change was detected when the mean of 3 sGaw readings was used, but with 10 readings significant change was observed at 20 microg; (mean increase [95% CI] 15.2%[8.3-22.1]). In asthmatics significant changes (P < or = 0.05) occurred with IB 10 microg for sGaw (mean [95% CI] 25.6%[11.1-40.1]), R5 (mean [95% CI]-11.3%, [-15.5-7.2]), RF (mean [95% CI] 11.7%[6.1-16.3]), FEV(1) (mean [95% CI] 5.1%[2.6-7.7]) and MMEF (mean [95% CI] 12.3%[2.3-22.2]).

CONCLUSION

IOS and spirometry are more sensitive than sGaw in healthy subjects, but the sensitivity of sGaw improved when the number of readings was increased. The most sensitive method for assessing bronchodilation in asthmatics was sGaw.

A comparison of plethysmography, spirometry and oscillometry for assessing the pulmonary effects of inhaled ipratropium bromide in healthy subjects and patients with asthma

AIMS

We have compared the ability of plethysmography (sGaw), impulse oscillometry (IOS) and spirometry (FEV(1), MMEF) to detect bronchodilation in response to an anticholinergic.

METHODS

IOS (R5, R20, X5, RF), sGaw and spirometry were measured in 12 healthy subjects and 12 asthmatics. Variability was assessed by performing two measurements, 30 min apart and the effect of increasing the number of readings for each sGaw measurement was also studied. Ipratropium bromide (IB) 10, 20, 100 and 200 microg was administered and the sensitivity of the methods compared by determining the lowest dose that caused changes greater than variability.

RESULTS

In healthy subjects significant changes (P < or = 0.05) occurred at 10 microg for FEV(1) (mean [95% CI]; 1.3%[0.3-2.3]), R5 (mean [95% CI]; -7.9%, [-13.2-2.6]) and R20 (mean [95% CI], -6.4%, [-11.4-1.4]). No significant change was detected when the mean of 3 sGaw readings was used, but with 10 readings significant change was observed at 20 microg; (mean increase [95% CI] 15.2%[8.3-22.1]). In asthmatics significant changes (P < or = 0.05) occurred with IB 10 microg for sGaw (mean [95% CI] 25.6%[11.1-40.1]), R5 (mean [95% CI]-11.3%, [-15.5-7.2]), RF (mean [95% CI] 11.7%[6.1-16.3]), FEV(1) (mean [95% CI] 5.1%[2.6-7.7]) and MMEF (mean [95% CI] 12.3%[2.3-22.2]).

CONCLUSION

IOS and spirometry are more sensitive than sGaw in healthy subjects, but the sensitivity of sGaw improved when the number of readings was increased. The most sensitive method for assessing bronchodilation in asthmatics was sGaw.

Comparison of bronchoprotective and bronchodilator effects of a single dose of formoterol delivered by hydrofluoroalkane and chlorofluorocarbon aerosols and dry powder in a double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

BACKGROUND

In response to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) inhalers, a metered dose hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) formulation, Modulite (Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Parma, Italy), to be delivered with a pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI), has been developed. Modulite is a HFA formulation technology that has been designed to provide stable and uniform dose delivery of HFA-based formulations to enable an easy transition from CFC to HFA inhalers.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the bronchoprotective and bronchodilator effects of a single dose of 12 microg of formoterol from the HFA Modulite inhaler with the Foradil Aerolizer (dry powder inhaler, DPI) and the Foradil CFC inhalers (Novartis Health Consumer, Basel, Switzerland).

METHODS

This was a double blind, double dummy, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted in 38 subjects with mild to moderate asthma (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] 87.5% predicted). The primary endpoint was methacholine challenge provocative dose required for 20% fall in the FEV1 (PD20) 90 min post dose. Bronchodilation was assessed with spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEF25-75) and impulse oscillometry (resistance at 5 and 20 Hz, reactance at 5 Hz and resonant frequency) over the 90 min post dose. In a subset of 12 subjects formoterol plasma levels, serum potassium and glucose were determined up to 480 min post dose.

RESULTS

The three formoterol formulations demonstrated significant (P < or = 0.05) improvements in bronchoprotection compared to placebo and non-inferiority of the HFA preparation compared to the CFC and DPI preparations was demonstrated. Geometric mean PD20 values were 0.51 mg with HFA, 0.62 mg with DPI, 0.62 mg with CFC and 0.2 mg with placebo. The log transformed mean differences in PD20 doubling dose between HFA and (a) DPI was -0.28 (95% CI -0.84-0.29, P = 0.57) (b) CFC was -0.28 (95% CI -0.84-0.28, P = 0.57) and (c) placebo was 1.38 (95% CI 0.82-1.94, P < 0.001). Serum potassium, glucose and formoterol plasma profiles were comparable for the CFC, HFA and DPI devices.

CONCLUSION

Our findings of similar efficacy, pharmacokinetics and systemic effects of the HFA formoterol inhaler compared to the CFC and DPI preparations supports the potential use of this novel formulation in the treatment of asthma.