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Dupilumab improves lung function in patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma

  • Mario Castro
  • , Klaus F. Rabe
  • , Jonathan Corren
  • , Ian D. Pavord
  • , Constance H. Katelaris
  • , Yuji Tohda
  • , Bingzhi Zhang
  • , Megan S. Rice
  • , Jaman Maroni
  • , Paul Rowe
  • , Gianluca Pirozzi
  • , Nikhil Amin
  • , Marcella Ruddy
  • , Bolanle Akinlade
  • , Neil M. H. Graham
  • , Ariel Teper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)
2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, blocks the shared receptor component for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, key drivers of type 2 inflammation. In the phase 3 LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST trial (NCT02414854) in patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma, add-on dupilumab 200 mg or 300 mg every 2 weeks reduced exacerbations and improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and quality of life over 52 weeks. This analysis evaluates dupilimab’s effect on lung function in the overall population, and subgroups with baseline elevated type 2 inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: Patients were randomised to 52 weeks of subcutaneous dupilumab 200 mg every 2 weeks, 300 mg every 2 weeks, or matched-volume placebos. Lung function outcomes were analysed in the overall population, in patients with ≥150 eosinophils·µL−1, ≥300 eosinophils·µL−1, ≥25 ppb fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and both ≥150 eosinophils·µL−1 and ≥25 ppb FeNO, at baseline. Results: Dupilumab treatment (200 mg and 300 mg every 2 weeks) resulted in significant improvements versus placebo after 52 weeks in pre-bronchodilator FEV1 (0.20 and 0.13 L, respectively, versus placebo) and post-bronchodilator FEV1 (0.19 and 0.13 L, respectively), forced vital capacity (FVC) (0.20 and 0.14 L, respectively), forced expiratory flow (0.19 and 0.13 L·s−1, respectively) and pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio (1.75% and 1.61%, respectively) in the overall population (p<0.001). Difference versus placebo in post-bronchodilator FEV1 slope ofchange(weeks4–52) was significant (0.04 L·year−1; p<0.05). Greater improvements were achieved in patients with elevated baseline blood eosinophil and/or FeNO levels for most outcomes. Conclusions: Dupilumab improves lung function outcomes, including large and small airway measurements and fixed airway obstruction, in patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe asthma; particularly in patients with elevated biomarkers of type 2 inflammation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number00204-2019
Number of pages11
JournalERJ Open Research
Volume6
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© ERS 2020.

Open Access - Access Right Statement

Copyright ©ERS 2020. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Licence 4.0. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • anti, inflammatory agents
  • asthma
  • inflammation
  • interleukins
  • lungs

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