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James F Donohue,1 Nancy Herje,2 Glenn Crater,2 Kathleen Rickard2 1Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2Aerocrine, Inc., Morrisville, NC, USA Objective: To characterize fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels that may be indicative of Th2-mediated airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: This single-visit, outpatient study was conducted in 200 patients aged 40 years and older with COPD. All patients underwent spirometry and FeNO testing. COPD severity was classified according to the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2010 guidelines. Results: Patients who participated in the study had a mean age of 63.9±11.3 years and a mean smoking history of 46±29 pack years. Patients had a mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second % predicted of 53.9%±22.1%. The percentage of patients classified with COPD severity Stage I, II, III, and IV was 13%, 40%, 39%, and 8%, respectively. In addition, according to current procedural terminology codes, 32% of patients were classified as mixed COPD/asthma, 26% as COPD/emphysema, and 42% as all other codes. The mean FeNO level for all patients was 15.3±17.2 parts per billion (ppb). Overall, 89% of patients had a FeNO 50 ppb. The percentages of patients with FeNO in the intermediate or high ranges of FeNO were greatest among patients with mixed COPD/asthma (intermediate, 11.5%; high, 6.6%) compared with COPD/emphysema (intermediate, 8%; high, 0) and all other codes (intermediate, 6.3%; high, 1.3%). Conclusion: Increases in FeNO were identified in a subset of patients with COPD, particularly in those previously diagnosed with both COPD and asthma. Since FeNO is useful for identifying patients with airway inflammation who will have a beneficial response to treatment with an inhaled corticosteroid, these data may have important implications for the management of COPD patients. Keywords: fractional exhaled nitric oxide, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, inhaled corticosteroids

Rashmi Mehta,1 Dennis Kelleher,1 Andrew Preece,2 Stephen Hughes,3 Glenn Crater4 1Respiratory Medicines Development Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; 2Respiratory Medicines Development Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Stockley Park West, UK; 3GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Bioanalytical Sciences and Toxicokinetics, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Ware, UK; 4Respiratory Medicine Development Center, GlaxoSmithKline, Mississauga, ON, Canada Background: The combination of umeclidinium (UMEC), a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist, and vilanterol (VI), a selective long-acting ß2 agonist, is in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of once-daily, inhaled UMEC and UMEC/VI when co-administered with oral verapamil, a moderate P-glycoprotein transporter and moderate cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitor frequently used by patients with COPD and cardiovascular comorbidities. Methods: Subjects were randomized to one of two 13-day treatment regimens: UMEC 500 µg or UMEC 500 µg/VI 25 µg. All subjects received a single tablet containing 240 mg verapamil on each of days 9–13. Results: Repeat doses of UMEC and UMEC/VI in combination with and without verapamil were safe and well tolerated. There was no increase in systemic exposure of UMEC when administered in combination with VI compared to UMEC alone. UMEC maximum concentration was similar with or without verapamil; a moderate increase in UMEC area under the curve (approximately 1.4-fold) was observed with verapamil. Verapamil did not increase systemic exposure to VI following administration of the UMEC/VI combination. Conclusion: Administration of UMEC and UMEC/VI combination was well tolerated and did not show clinically relevant increases in systemic exposure for either drug. The UMEC/VI combination is unlikely to have a clinically meaningful drug–drug interaction with moderate P-glycoprotein transporter and CYP3A4 inhibitor drugs. Keywords: umeclidinium, vilanterol, verapamil, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, long-acting ß2 agonist

Anand A Dalal1, Manan Shah2, Anna O D'Souza2, Sham Chaudhari2, Glenn Crater11GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; 2Xcenda LLC, Palm Harbor, FL, USABackground: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with comorbid depression and anxiety. Managing COPD symptoms and exacerbations through use of appropriate and adequate pharmacotherapy in this population may result in better COPD-related outcomes.Methods: This retrospective, observational study used administrative claims of patients aged 40 years and older with COPD and comorbid depression/anxiety identified from January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. Patients were assigned to fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250/50 mcg combination (FSC) or anticholinergics (AC) based on their first (index) prescription. The risks of COPD exacerbations and healthcare utilization and costs were compared between cohorts during 1 year of follow-up.Results: The adjusted risk of a COPD-related exacerbation during the 1-year follow-up period was 30% higher in the AC cohort (n = 2923) relative to the FSC cohort (n = 1078) (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.56) after controlling for baseline differences in covariates. The risks of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits were 56% and 65% higher, respectively, in the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort. The average number of COPD-related hospitalizations during the follow-up period was 46% higher for the AC cohort compared with the FSC cohort (incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.09, P = 0.041). The savings from lower COPD-related medical costs ($692 vs $1042, P < 0.050) kept the COPD-related total costs during the follow-up period comparable to those in the AC cohort ($1659 vs $1677, P > 0.050) although the pharmacy costs were higher in the FSC cohort.Conclusions: FSC compared with AC was associated with more favorable COPD-related outcomes and lower COPD-related utilization and medical costs among patients with COPD and comorbid anxiety/depression.Keywords: COPD, fluticasone propionate/salmeterol, anticholinergics, depression, comorbidity

Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of INV-202, a novel peripherally restricted cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) inverse agonist, in a streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes nephropathy mouse model., Methods: Diabetes was induced in 8-week-old C57BL6/J male mice via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg/day for 5 days); nondiabetic controls received citrate buffer. Diabetic mice were randomized to 3 groups based on blood glucose, polyuria, and albuminuria, and administered daily oral doses for 28-days of INV-202 at 0.3 or 3 mg/kg or vehicle., Results: INV-202 did not affect body weight but decreased kidney weight compared with the vehicle group. While polyuria was unaffected by INV-202 treatment, urinary urea (control 30.77 ± 14.93; vehicle 189.81 ± 31.49; INV-202 (0.3 mg/kg) 127.76 ± 20; INV-202 (3 mg/kg) 93.70 ± 24.97 mg/24h) and albumin (control 3.06 ± 0.38; vehicle 850.08 ± 170.50; INV-202 (0.3 mg/kg) 290.65 ± 88.70; INV-202 (3 mg/kg) 111.29 ± 33.47 µg/24h) excretion both decreased compared with vehicle-treated diabetic mice. Compared with the vehicle group, there was a significant improvement in the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio across INV-202 groups. Regardless of the dose, INV-202 significantly reduced angiotensin II excretion in diabetic mice. The treatment also decreased Agtr1a renal expression in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with nondiabetic controls, the glomerular filtration rate was increased in the vehicle group and significantly decreased by INV-202 at 3 mg/kg. While the vehicle group showed a significant loss in the mean number of podocytes per glomerulus, INV-202 treatment limited podocyte loss in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in both INV-202 groups, expression of genes coding for podocyte structural proteins nephrin ( Nphs1 ), podocin ( Nphs2 ), and podocalyxin ( Pdxl ) were restored to levels similar to nondiabetic controls. INV-202 partially limited the proximal tubular epithelial cell (PTEC) hyperplasia and normalized genetic markers for PTEC lesions. INV-202 also reduced expression of genes contributing to oxidative stress ( Nox2 , Nox4 , and P47phox ) and inflammation ( Tnf ). In addition, diabetes-induced renal fibrosis was significantly reduced by INV-202., Conclusions: INV-202 reduced glomerular injury, preserved podocyte structure and function, reduced injury to PTECs, and ultimately reduced renal fibrosis in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy mouse model. These results suggest that INV-202 may represent a new therapeutic option in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease., Competing Interests: Author GC is the Chief Medical Officer at Inversago Pharma, Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received funding from Inversago Pharma, Inc. The funder had the following involvement with the study: study design., (Copyright © 2023 Jacquot, Pointeau, Roger-Villeboeuf, Passilly-Degrace, Belkaid, Regazzoni, Leemput, Buch, Demizieux, Vergès, Degrace, Crater and Jourdan.)

Background: Revefenacin is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist that was recently approved for the nebulized treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although shorter duration studies have documented the efficacy of revefenacin in COPD, longer-term efficacy has not been described. In a recent 52-week safety trial, revefenacin was well tolerated and had a favorable benefit-risk profile. Here we report exploratory efficacy and health outcomes in patients receiving revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg daily during the 52-week trial., Methods: In this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 175 μg or 88 μg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium., Results: Over the 52-week treatment period, both doses of revefenacin, as well as tiotropium, elicited significant (all p < 0.0003) improvements from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ). The trough FEV 1 profile (least squares mean change from baseline) for revefenacin 175 μg ranged from 52.3-124.3 mL and the trough FEV 1 profile for tiotropium ranged from 79.7-112.8 mL. In subgroup comparisons, the effect of revefenacin on trough FEV 1 was comparable in patients taking concomitant long-acting β-agonists, with or without inhaled corticosteroids, with patients who were not taking these medications. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements in all measured health status outcomes (evaluated using St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, COPD Assessment Test, Clinical COPD Questionnaire and Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Index) from 3 months onward, in all treatment arms., Conclusions: Significant sustained improvements from baseline in trough FEV 1 and respiratory health outcomes were demonstrated for 175-μg revefenacin over 52 weeks, further supporting its use as a once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of patients with COPD., Trial Registration: NCT02518139 ; Registered 5 August 2015.

This article contains information on the experimental design and methods on how the safety and tolerability data concerning patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were obtained. This is in addition to our original research article. [1] We have also provided information on the clinical laboratory tests that were conducted. Further interpretation and discussion of the data are demonstrated in the article "Revefenacin, a Once-daily, Lung-selective, Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist for Nebulized Therapy: Safety and Tolerability Results of a 52-week Phase 3 Trial in Moderate to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease." [1].

The cardiovascular safety of revefenacin, an anticholinergic indicated for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), was evaluated in phase 3 trials in patients with moderate to very severe COPD. No clinically meaningful changes in 12-lead electrocardiogram recordings were observed with up to 52 weeks of once-daily revefenacin 88 or 175 μg. In a pooled analysis of Studies 0126 and 0127, the incidence of prolonged QT interval corrected for heart rate using the Fridericia correction formula (QTcF; >450 msec) for revefenacin 88 μg (n = 23, 5.6%) and revefenacin 175 μg (n = 23, 5.9%) was similar to that for placebo (n = 22, 5.3%). In Study 0128, the incidence of prolonged QTcF was similar in the revefenacin 175 μg (n = 25, 7.7%) and tiotropium (n = 26, 7.3%) groups and lower in the revefenacin 88 μg (n = 15, 4.2%) group. There were four major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in Study 0126 (one, two, and one in the placebo, revefenacin 88 μg, and revefenacin 175 μg groups, respectively), no MACEs in Study 0127 and 26 MACEs in Study 0128 (9, 10 and 7 in the revefenacin 88 μg, revefenacin 175 μg and tiotropium groups, respectively). In Study 0128, only one MACE was considered possibly/probably related to revefenacin (atrial fibrillation in the revefenacin 175 μg group). Thus, revefenacin may provide beneficial nebulized therapy for patients with COPD without further elevating their risk of cardiovascular events., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prior replicate 12-week phase 3 trials demonstrated that once-daily doses of revefenacin inhalation solution at 88 μg and 175 μg produced significant bronchodilation over 24 h post dose in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective was to characterize the safety profile of revefenacin 88 μg and 175 μg over 52 weeks of treatment., Methods: In this randomized, parallel-group, 52-week trial (NCT02518139), 1055 participants with moderate to very severe COPD received revefenacin 88 μg or 175 μg in a double-blind manner, or open-label active control tiotropium., Results: Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were comparable across all treatment groups (n [%] patients; revefenacin 88 μg, 272 [74.7%]; 175 μg, 242 [72.2%]; tiotropium, 275 [77.2%]). Numerically fewer COPD exacerbations (n [%] patients) were observed with revefenacin 175 μg (73 [21.8%]) than with 88 μg (107 [29.4%]) or tiotropium (100 [28.1%]). Serious AEs were comparable with revefenacin 88 μg (58 [15.9%] and tiotropium (58 [16.3%]), but were lower with revefenacin 175 μg (43 [12.8%]), and mortality was low. In patients using revefenacin 88 μg or tiotropium with a concurrent long-acting β-agonist (LABA) product, the incidence of AEs was slightly higher than without concurrent LABA. LABA did not affect the incidence of AEs for patients who received revefenacin 175 μg., Conclusions: Revefenacin was generally well tolerated over 52 weeks of treatment, and had a safety profile that supports its use as a long-term once-daily bronchodilator for the nebulized treatment of COPD., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Revefenacin, a novel, lung-selective, long-acting muscarinic antagonist, has been developed for nebulized therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We present the results of replicate Phase III efficacy and safety studies of revefenacin in patients with moderate to very severe COPD., Methods: In 2 double-blind, parallel-group studies, (Study 0126 and Study 0127), patients ≥ 40 years old were randomized to revefenacin 88 μg, revefenacin 175 μg or placebo administered once daily by standard jet nebulizer for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was 24-hour trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) on day 85. Secondary efficacy endpoints included overall treatment effect (OTE) on trough FEV 1 and peak FEV 1 (0-2 hours after first dose). Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events., Results: At day 85, revefenacin 88 µg and 175 µg improved trough FEV 1 versus placebo in Study 0126 (by 79 mL [ p =0.0003] and 146 mL [ p <0.0001]) and Study 0127 (by 160 mL and 147 mL; both p <0.0001). Compared with placebo, pooled data of revefenacin 88 µg and 175 µg increased OTE trough FEV 1 by 115 mL and 142 mL (both p <0.001) and increased peak FEV 1 by 127 mL and 129 mL (both p <0.0001). Revefenacin 175 µg demonstrated greater improvements in FEV 1 in concomitant long-acting beta2-agonist patients and in more severe patients than revefenacin 88 µg. Adverse events were minor., Conclusion: Revefenacin, administered once daily for 12 weeks to patients with moderate to very severe COPD, demonstrated clinically significant improvements in trough FEV 1 and OTE FEV 1 . Revefenacin was generally well tolerated with no major safety concerns., Competing Interests: GTF has received grants, served on advisory boards, received consulting fees and/or received speaking fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Circassia, Forest, GlaxoSmithKline, Innoviva, Meda, Mylan, Novartis, Pearl Therapeutics, Sanofi, Sunovion, Theravance Biopharma and Verona. GF and KKP have nothing to declare. CNB, EJM, BH, SP and GC are employees of Theravance Biopharma US, Inc. Mylan Inc., (Canonsburg, Pennsylvania) and Theravance Biopharma US, Inc., (South San Francisco, California) funded medical writing support., (JCOPDF © 2019.)

Poster abstracts are evaluated based on the following criteria: significance of the problem to healthy aging or medication management; innovativeness of ideas, methods, and/or approach; methodological rigor of methods and approach; presentation of finding; implications identified for future research, practice, and/or policy; and clarity of writing. Submissions are not evaluated through the peer-reviewed process used by The Consultant Pharmacist . Industry support is indicated, where applicable. Presenting author is in italics. The poster abstract presentation is supported by the ASCP Foundation.

The UK Refractory Asthma Stratification Programme (RASP-UK) will explore novel biomarker stratification strategies in severe asthma to improve clinical management and accelerate development of new therapies. Prior asthma mechanistic studies have not stratified on inflammatory phenotype and the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms in asthma without Type 2 cytokine inflammation is limited. RASP-UK will objectively assess adherence to corticosteroids (CS) and examine a novel composite biomarker strategy to optimise CS dose; this will also address what proportion of patients with severe asthma have persistent symptoms without eosinophilic airways inflammation after progressive CS withdrawal. There will be interactive partnership with the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate access to stratified populations for novel therapeutic studies., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Objective: Exercise intolerance is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Methods: Patients with COPD were randomized in two multicentre, double-blind, incomplete block crossover studies. Patients received two of six treatments in sequence (12 weeks each): placebo, umeclidinium (UMEC)/vilanterol (VI) (125/25 mcg or 62.5/25 mcg), VI (25 mcg) or UMEC (62.5 mcg or 125 mcg). Exercise endurance time (EET) and trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (Week 12) were co-primary endpoints. Safety was monitored throughout., Results: Both studies showed similar 3-hour post-dose EET improvements from baseline for UMEC/VI (Week 12). Significant EET improvements were observed with both UMEC/VI doses versus placebo at Week 12 in Study 418 (UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg: 65.8 s; p = 0.005; UMEC/VI 62.5/25 mcg: 69.4 s; p = 0.003), but not in Study 417, where a placebo effect was evident. Post hoc integrated data analysis showed significant but smaller EET improvements for both UMEC/VI doses versus placebo at Week 12 (UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg: 47.5 s; p = 0.002; UMEC/VI 62.5/25 mcg: 43.7 s; p = 0.001). Both studies showed trough FEV1 improvements at Week 12 for both UMEC/VI doses. The incidence of adverse events was similar between treatment groups within each study., Conclusions: UMEC/VI improved lung function and EET., (© The Author(s), 2014.)

Background: Combination long-acting bronchodilator treatment might be more effective than long-acting bronchodilator monotherapy for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of umeclidinium (UMEC) plus vilanterol (VI) with tiotropium (TIO) monotherapy, UMEC monotherapy, or VI monotherapy in patients with moderate to very severe COPD., Methods: In two multicentre, randomised, blinded, double-dummy, parallel-group, active-controlled trials, eligible patients (current or former smokers aged 40 years or older with an established clinical history of COPD) were randomly assigned in 1:1:1:1 ratio to UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg, UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg, TIO 18 μg, and either VI 25 μg (study 1) or UMEC 125 μg (study 2). All study drugs were used once daily for 24 weeks. TIO was delivered via the HandiHaler inhaler and all other active treatments were delivered via the ELLIPTA dry powder inhaler. Random assignment (by a validated computer-based system) was done by centre and was not stratified. All patients and physicians were masked to assigned treatment during the studies. The primary efficacy endpoint of both studies was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) on day 169, which was analysed in the intention-to-treat population. Both studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT01316900 (study 1) and NCT01316913 (study 2)., Findings: 1141 participants were recruited in study 1, and 1191 in study 2. For study 1, after exclusions, 208, 209, 214, and 212 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analyses for TIO monotherapy, VI monotherapy, UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg, and UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg, respectively. For study 2, 215, 222, 215, and 217 patients were included in the intention-to-treat analyses for TIO monotherapy, UMEC monotherapy, UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg, and UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg, respectively. In both studies, we noted improvements in trough FEV1 on day 169 for both doses of UMEC plus VI compared with TIO monotherapy (study 1, UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·088 L [95% CI 0·036 to 0·140; p=0·0010]; study 1, UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·090 L [0·039 to 0·141; p=0·0006]; study 2, UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·074 L [0·025 to 0·123; p=0·0031]; study 2, UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·060 L [0·010 to 0·109; nominal p=0·0182]). Both doses of UMEC plus VI also improved trough FEV1 compared with VI monotherapy (UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·088 L [0·036 to 0·140; p=0·0010]; UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·090 L [0·039 to 0·142; p=0·0006], but not compared with UMEC 125 μg monotherapy (UMEC 125 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·037 L [-0·012 to 0·087; p=0·14]; UMEC 62·5 μg plus VI 25 μg: 0·022 L [-0·027 to 0·072; p=0·38]). All treatments produced improvements in dyspnoea and health-related quality of life; we noted no significant differences in symptoms, health status, or risk of exacerbation between UMEC plus VI and TIO. The most common on-treatment, severe-intensity adverse event in both studies was acute exacerbation of COPD (1-4 [<1-2%] patients across treatment groups in study 1 and 1-6 [<1-3%] patients in study 2). We recorded five to 15 (2-7%) on-treatment serious adverse events across treatment groups in study 1, and nine to 22 (4-10%) in study 2. We noted no substantial changes from baseline in vital signs, clinical laboratory findings, or electrocardiography findings in any of the treatment groups., Interpretation: Combination treatment with once-daily UMEC plus VI improved lung function compared with VI monotherapy and TIO monotherapy in patients with COPD. Overall our results suggest that the combination of UMEC plus VI could be beneficial for the treatment of moderate to very severe COPD., Funding: GlaxoSmithKline., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Combination long-acting bronchodilator therapy may be more effective than long-acting bronchodilator monotherapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily umeclidinium/vilanterol (UMEC/VI) 125/25 mcg with placebo and UMEC or VI monotherapy in COPD., Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 1493 patients were randomized (3:3:3:2) to 24 weeks of treatment with UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg, UMEC 125 mcg, VI 25 mcg, or placebo once-daily via dry powder inhaler., Results: Primary efficacy endpoint was trough forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) on Day 169 (23-24 h post-dose). Additional lung-function, symptomatic and health-related quality of life endpoints were also assessed. Safety evaluations included: adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiography and clinical laboratory measurements. All active treatments significantly improved trough FEV1 vs placebo (0.124-0.238 L, all p<0.001). Improvements with UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg were significantly greater than for UMEC 125 mcg or VI 25 mcg (0.079 L and 0.114 L; both p≤0.001). Improvements for UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg vs placebo were observed for the transition dyspnea index (1.0 unit; p<0.001), rescue albuterol use at Weeks 1-24 (-1.5 puffs/day) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (-3.60 units, p<0.001). No safety signals were observed., Conclusions: Once-daily UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg was well tolerated and provided greater improvements in lung function, health status, and dyspnea scores compared with monotherapy components and placebo over 24 weeks. This study supports the use of UMEC/VI 125/25 mcg for the maintenance treatment of COPD., Clinical Trial Registration: protocol number: DB2113361; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01313637.

Clinical research bridges patients' unmet medical need with innovative medicines, increases knowledge acquisition by clinicians, and creates solutions to improve the sustainability and quality of the Canadian health care system and economy. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Lung Association have recently raised concerns over declining research activities within the Canadian respiratory community. While there are currently >3000 ongoing clinical trials in Canada, the number of trials investigating common respiratory diseases is unknown. The objective of the present study was to monitor the trends in industry- and non-industry-sponsored respiratory clinical trials in Canada from 2001 to 2011. Trialtrove 2012 (Citeline, an Informa UK business), a database containing summarized clinical trial information regarding pharmaceutical products, was searched using common chronic respiratory disease terms: "allergic rhinitis", "asthma", "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)", "cystic fibrosis", "respiratory infections", "pulmonary fibrosis" and "smoking cessation". Over the past 10 years, the number of respiratory clinical trials conducted in Canada has increased (4.49 per year; P=0.004). From 2001 to 2011, the majority of trials were performed in asthma, followed closely by respiratory infections and COPD. Over the past decade, the number of trials investigating COPD and respiratory infections increased (P<0.05), while asthma trials showed a declining trend since 2007. Of the clinical trials performed during this 10-year period, the majority were in phase III, with a significant increase in the number of phase II trials (2.49 per year; P=0.008). However, certain trends observed are concerning and warrant further monitoring in the coming years.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a significant negative impact on quality of life and increases the risk of premature death. Umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist in development for the treatment of COPD with the aim to broaden treatment options for clinicians and patients by providing improved symptom control., Objective: To characterize the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single and repeat inhaled doses of umeclidinium in healthy subjects., Study Design: Two randomized, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose studies were conducted in healthy ipratropium bromide-responsive subjects. In the single-dose study, subjects (n = 20) received umeclidinium (10-350 μg), tiotropium bromide 18 μg and placebo in a crossover dosing schedule. In this study, lung function was assessed for 24 h by measuring specific airways conductance (sGaw) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). In the repeat-dose study, subjects (n = 36) received umeclidinium (250-1,000 μg) and placebo for 14 days in a parallel-group schedule., Results: Adverse events (AEs) were reported in five subjects (single-dose study) and 23 subjects (repeat-dose study); none were serious. In both studies, no abnormalities in 12-lead electrocardiogram parameters, 24-h Holter monitoring or lead II monitoring were reported as AEs. Umeclidinium was rapidly absorbed following single-dose administration [time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (tmax) 5-15 min] and repeat-dose administration (tmax 5-7 min). Following repeat dosing, the geometric mean plasma elimination half-life was approximately 27 h and statistically significant accumulation was observed for the area under the plasma concentration-time curve, maximum plasma concentration and cumulative amount of unchanged drug excreted into the urine at 24 h (range 1.5- to 4.5-fold). Umeclidinium at doses of 100 μg and above, and tiotropium bromide demonstrated statistically significant bronchodilatory effects relative to placebo at 12 h post-dosing, which lasted up to 24 h for umeclidinium 350 μg and for tiotropium bromide. Relative to placebo, these increases in sGaw were 24-34 % at 12 h post-dose and 13 % at 24 h post-dose. Increases in FEV1 achieved statistical significance at 12 and 24 h for umeclidinium 100 μg and 350 μg compared with placebo., Conclusion: Umeclidinium was well tolerated and demonstrated bronchodilatory effects in healthy subjects for up to 24 h. These bronchodilatory effects can be potentially clinically important in patients with airway obstruction such as COPD. The data obtained have informed dose selection for subsequent trials in subjects with COPD.

To characterise the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics (bronchodilatory effect) and pharmacokinetics of inhaled umeclidinium in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The first investigation was a single dose, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00515502) in which ipratropium bromide-sensitive patients received umeclidinium (250μg, 500μg, and 1000μg), tiotropium bromide 18μg or placebo. Patients were randomised to receive four out of five possible treatments as an incomplete block four-way cross-over. A subsequent study (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT700732472) was focused on assessment of safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of umeclidinium (250μg and 1000μg) administered once-daily for 7 days in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. Of the 24 patients randomised for the single dose study, 20 completed; 31 out of 38 patients completed the repeat dose study. Most adverse events were mild-to-moderate and transient. Examination of heart rate, QTc interval, blood pressure and clinical laboratory assessments raised no concern over the safety of umeclidinium. Evidence of pharmacology was demonstrated in first study by statistically significant increases in specific airway conductance (sGaw) for up to 24h for all active treatments compared with placebo. Increases in forced expiratory volume in 1s were also observed. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that maximum observed plasma umeclidinium concentration (Cmax) was reached rapidly (time to Cmax: ∼5-15min) after single and repeat doses; 1.5-1.9-fold accumulation was observed after repeat-dosing. Single and repeat doses of umeclidinium were well tolerated and produced clinically relevant lung function improvements over 24h in patients with COPD., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study evaluated the dose-response of the new long-acting muscarinic antagonist umeclidinium (GSK573719) in patients with COPD., Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study evaluated three once-daily doses of umeclidinium (125, 250 and 500 μg) for 28 days in 285 patients with COPD having FEV(1) of 35-70% predicted (mean (SD) age=61.4 (8.41); mean (SD) post-bronchodilator FEV(1)=1.577 (0.450)). The primary endpoint was morning trough FEV(1) at Day 29. Secondary endpoints included 0-6h weighted mean FEV(1) and serial FEV(1) measured over 6h post-dose and at trough. Safety and pharmacokinetics were also assessed., Results: All doses of umeclidinium significantly increased trough FEV(1) over placebo from 150 to 168 mL (p<0.001), 0-6h weighted mean FEV(1) from 113 to 211 mL (p<0.001), and serial FEV(1) at each point in time over 24h. Reductions in salbutamol use and improvements in FVC were noted for all doses. Umeclidinium was well tolerated with no apparent treatment-related changes in vital signs., Conclusion: Once-daily umeclidinium provides clinically significant, sustained improvement in lung function and is well tolerated., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Umeclidinium (UMEC; GSK573719) is a new long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) currently in development in combination with vilanterol (VI), an inhaled, long-acting beta₂ agonist for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of repeat dosing of UMEC and VI in combination once daily for 28 days in patients with COPD., Methods: This was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. Patients aged ≥40 years with post-bronchodilator FEV₁ ≤80% of predicted normal values and FEV₁/FVC ratio ≤0.70, and a smoking history of ≥10 pack-years, were randomized 4:1 to once-daily UMEC/VI (500/25 mcg; n = 42) or placebo (n = 9)., Results: UMEC/VI was non-inferior to placebo in weighted mean pulse rate over 0-6 h at Day 28 (primary endpoint: difference of -0.5 bpm, 95% CI: -5.5 to 4.5). There was no evidence of a difference between UMEC/VI compared with placebo in blood pressure, minimum and maximum pulse rate, or QTcF assessments. Adverse events (AEs) were reported by 11 (26%) patients in the UMEC/VI group and one (11%) patient in the placebo group. No serious AEs were reported. Both UMEC and VI showed rapid absorption (median t(max) ∼6 min for both drugs) with no evidence of accumulation for AUC or C(max) on Day 28 compared with Day 1 for UMEC or VI. There was no correlation between individual steady-state C(max) and pulse rate on Day 28. Change from baseline in trough FEV₁ on Day 29 showed numerically greater improvements with UMEC/VI compared with placebo., Conclusion: Once-daily dosing with UMEC in combination with VI in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD was well tolerated over 28 days., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: GSK233705 is a recently developed inhaled anticholinergic being investigated for the potential treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Objectives: This dose-ranging, parallel-group, double-blind study compared the bronchodilator efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of GSK233705 with placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD., Methods: Patients were randomised to receive 12.5 µg, 25 µg, 50 µg, 100 µg or 200 µg of GSK233705 or placebo once daily for 28 days. The primary endpoint was change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) on day 29., Results: The intent-to-treat population consisted of 576 patients (mean predicted FEV(1) 51%; mean age 62 years). Treatment with GSK233705 produced statistically significant improvements in pulmonary function compared with placebo. Only the 200 µg dose exceeded the predefined target threshold of 130-mL difference compared with placebo for the primary endpoint of change from baseline in trough FEV(1) on day 29. No clear pattern of dose response was observed for the other doses. Serial FEV(1) (0-24 h) showed a peak effect around 2 h postdose and tended to decline to clinically insignificant levels compared with placebo at 23 and 24 h. Each dose of GSK233705 was well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events was low and similar across all treatment groups. There were no clinically significant effects on laboratory parameters, vital signs or electrocardiograms., Conclusion: All doses of GSK233705 demonstrated bronchodilatory activity and were well tolerated. Although the onset of bronchodilation was rapid, it was not sustained over 24 h making it unsuitable for once-daily dosing., (© 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Background: This study evaluated the dose-response and dosing interval of the novel long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist (LAMA) GSK573719 in patients with COPD., Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-way cross-over, incomplete block study evaluated 5 once-daily doses of GSK573719 (62.5-1000 μg), 3 twice-daily doses (62.5-250 μg), and open-label tiotropium for 14 days in patients (N = 176) with COPD (FEV(1) of 35-70% predicted). The primary endpoint was morning trough FEV(1) at Day 15. Secondary endpoints included 0-24 h weighted mean FEV(1) and serial FEV(1) values over 28 h. Safety measures and pharmacokinetics were assessed., Results: All once-daily doses of GSK573719 significantly increased trough FEV(1) at Day 15 with improvements ranging from 95 to 186 mL over placebo (p ≤ 0.006), from 79 to 172 mL with twice-daily dosing (p ≤ 0.03), and 105 mL with tiotropium (p = 0.003). No clear dose ordering was observed. Once-daily doses significantly (p < 0.001) increased 0-24 h weighted mean FEV(1) at Day 14 by 131-143 mL over placebo, comparable to increases with the twice-daily doses (120-142 mL) and tiotropium (127 mL). Significant reductions in rescue albuterol use and improvements in FVC were also observed with once-daily dosing. Plasma C(max) occurred within 5-15 min of dosing after which the drug was rapidly cleared and eliminated. GSK573719 was well tolerated, with no apparent treatment-related changes in vital signs, ECG and Holter assessments, or clinical laboratory parameters., Conclusion: Once-daily dosing with GSK573719 in COPD provides clinically significant and sustained improvement in lung function over 24 h with similar efficacy to twice-daily dosing., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: This retrospective cohort study compared the risks of exacerbations and COPD-related healthcare costs between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) initiating tiotropium (TIO) alone and patients initiating triple therapy with fluticasone-salmeterol combination (FSC) added to TIO., Methods: Managed-care enrollees who had an index event of ≥ 1 pharmacy claim for TIO during the study period (January 1, 2003-April 30, 2008) and met other eligibility criteria were categorized into one of two cohorts depending on their medication use. Patients in the TIO+FSC cohort had combination therapy with TIO and FSC, defined as having an FSC claim on the same date as the TIO claim. Patients in the TIO cohort had no such FSC use. The risks of COPD exacerbations and healthcare costs were compared between cohorts during 1 year of follow-up., Results: The sample comprised 3333 patients (n = 852 TIO+FSC cohort, n = 2481 TIO cohort). Triple therapy with FSC added to TIO compared with TIO monotherapy was associated with significant reductions in the adjusted risks of moderate exacerbation (hazard ratio 0.772; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.641, 0.930) and any exacerbation (hazard ratio 0.763; 95% CI 0.646, 0.949) and a nonsignificant reduction in COPD-related adjusted monthly medical costs., Conclusions: Triple therapy with FSC added to TIO compared with TIO monotherapy was associated with significant reductions in the adjusted risks of moderate exacerbation and any exacerbation over a follow-up period of up to 1 year. These improvements were gained with triple therapy at roughly equal cost of that of TIO alone.

Aim: To examine the burden of respiratory symptoms, quality of life and co-morbid illness in COPD patients receiving maintenance treatment in a real world setting., Methods: In a single visit, patients with a physician's diagnosis of COPD who were receiving monotherapy with a long-acting bronchodilator (LABD) performed spirometry, completed symptom questionnaires, and reported their treatments, history of exacerbations and co-morbidities., Results: We enrolled 1084 patients of whom 1072 had acceptable spirometry. 689 (64%) had airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC≤0.70) while 383 (36%) failed to meet spirometric criteria for COPD despite receiving maintenance therapy and having comparable symptoms and comorbid illness. Among those with confirmed COPD, dyspnoea was worse in those with more severe airflow limitation though exacerbation frequency was comparable across COPD stages., Conclusions: COPD is commonly diagnosed and treated in patients without airflow obstruction. Many COPD patients receiving LABD monotherapy continue to suffer significant symptoms, exacerbations and poor quality of life.

Objective: Spirometry is recognized as the gold standard assessment for the diagnosis of COPD. However, spirometry continues to be underused, perpetuating the underdiagnosis of COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of COPD in a primary care setting in patients with a smoking history and self-reported chronic bronchitis symptoms., Research Design and Methods: This was a multi-center, cross-sectional study. The primary assessment was the percentage of patients with airway obstruction (post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC ratio < or = 0.70) compared to those without obstruction (post-bronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC ratio > 0.70)., Results: Airflow obstruction consistent with COPD was confirmed in 26% of patients (mean age 52.9 years, FEV(1) 81.4% predicted and smoking history 39.8 pack-years) that reported chronic bronchitis symptoms. Airflow obstruction increased with age and smoking history. Slight or moderate dyspnea was reported by 68% of patients and the majority had not talked to their doctor about cough and continued to smoke., Limitations: Patients were evaluated at a single visit. The definition of airway obstruction used may have lead to overdiagnosis in patients aged 70 and older., Conclusion: This study confirms that many patients with COPD remain undiagnosed in the primary care setting. Evaluation of spirometry in patients with a smoking history and chronic bronchitis symptoms can aid in the diagnosis of COPD, allowing earlier treatment thereby reducing the burden of this debilitating disease., Clinical Trial Registration: Study code ADC109043; clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00442468.

Prevention and treatment of COPD exacerbations are recognized as key goals in disease management. This randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study evaluated the effect of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg (FSC 250/50) and salmeterol 50 mcg (SAL) twice-daily on moderate/severe exacerbations. Subjects received treatment with FSC 250/50 during a one month run-in, followed by randomization to FSC 250/50 or SAL for 52 weeks. Moderate/severe exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD requiring antibiotics, oral corticosteroids and/or hospitalization. In 797 subjects with COPD (mean FEV(1) = 0.98L, 34% predicted normal), treatment with FSC 250/50 significantly reduced the annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations by 30.4% compared with SAL (1.10 and 1.59 per subject per year, respectively, p < 0.001), the annual rate of exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids by 34% (p < 0.001) and the annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization by 36% (p = 0.043). Clinical improvements observed during run-in treatment with FSC 250/50 were better maintained over 52 weeks with FSC 250/50 compared to SAL. Statistically significant reductions in albuterol use, dyspnea scores, and nighttime awakenings and numerical benefits on quality of life were seen with FSC 250/50 compared with SAL. The incidence of adverse events was similar across groups. Pneumonia was reported more frequently with FSC 250/50 compared with SAL (7% vs. 2%). FSC 250/50 is more effective than SAL at reducing the rate of moderate/severe exacerbations. These data confirm the beneficial effect of FSC on the management of COPD exacerbations and support the use of FSC in patients with COPD.

This retrospective analysis of data from two multi-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel group studies compared the efficacy of fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC) 250/50 mcg twice daily with ipratropium bromide/albuterol (IB/ALB) 36/206 mcg four times daily in albuterol-reversible (n=320 [44%]) and non-reversible (n=399 [56%]) patients with COPD. In reversible and non-reversible patients, both treatments significantly increased FEV(1)AUC(0-6h) from baseline and the magnitude of improvement was larger in reversible patients. FSC increased FEV(1)AUC(0-6h) by 1.46+/-0.08 and 1.98+/-0.13 l-h at Day 1 and Week 8, respectively, in reversible patients, compared with 0.71+/-0.06 and 0.94+/-0.10 l-h in non-reversible patients (p<0.001). With IB/ALB, increases were 1.46+/-0.08 and 1.19+/-0.11 l-h at Day 1 in reversible patients and Week 8, respectively, and 0.89+/-0.06 and 0.74+/-0.09 l-h (p < or = 0.041) in non-reversible patients. After 8 weeks, in both the reversible and non-reversible populations, the FEV(1) AUC(0-6h) significantly increased with FSC treatment (p < or = 0.002) and significantly decreased with IB/ALB (p < or = 0.010). In both reversibility groups, improvement in Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) scores, overall daytime diary symptom scores and nocturnal symptom measures were significantly greater with FSC treatment compared with IB/ALB (p < or = 0.044). Reversibility status was not predictive of the magnitude of reduction in symptom scores. We conclude that both reversible and non-reversible patients receive greater clinical benefit with FSC compared with IB/ALB and acute bronchodilator reversibility is not useful for differentiating patients based on symptomatic responses to FSC compared with IB/ALB.

The transient orientation of lambda DNA and lambda-DNA oligomers has been measured during pulsed field gel electrophoresis. The DNA becomes substantially aligned parallel to the electric field E. In response to a single rectangular pulse, orientation shows an overshoot with a peak at 1 second, then a small undershoot, and finally a plateau. When the field is turned off, the orientation dissipates in two distinct exponential phases. Field inversion leads to periods of orientation with intervening periods of reduced orientation as the chains reverse direction. Field inversion pulses applied to linear oligomers of lambda-DNA show that orientation responses slow down but increase in amplitude as molecular weight increases, for a given field. Because DNA stretching and alignment parallel to E are expected to correlate with DNA velocity, the velocity in response to a pulsed field is also expected to exhibit an overshoot.