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Efficacy of Reslizumab Dose Escalation in Patients With Severe Asthma

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Asthma; Eosinophilic
Interventions
Biological: Reslizumab
Registration Number
NCT04710134
Lead Sponsor
McMaster University
Brief Summary

Dose escalation of reslizumab can ameliorate sputum eosinophilia in severe asthmatics who have persistent sputum eosinophilia despite treatment with reslizumab at the standard dose.

Detailed Description

Monoclonal antibody therapies targeting the interleukin-5 (IL-5) pathway, critical for maintaining eosinophil homeostasis, have been developed as adjunct therapy for severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. Reslizumab/Cinqair is an approved/marketed product administered monthly by intravenous to severe eosinophilic asthmatics at 3mg/kg. However some patients do exhibit sputum eosinophilia at this dosage. We are investigating whether those that receive 3mg/kg that have persistent sputum eosinophils would benefit at a higher dose of 4mg/kg and those that still exhibit sputum eosinophils at this elevated dose would show improvement at 5mg/kg.

The overall aim of this study is to determine whether dose escalation of reslizumab can ameliorate sputum eosinophilia in severe asthmatics who have persistent sputum eosinophilia despite treatment with reslizumab at the standard dose.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Asthma confirmed within the past 2 years by:

    a. A ≥12% improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after use of a beta agonist, or a methacholine challenge test showing a ≥20% reduction in FEV1 after a concentration of ≤8 mg/mL of methacholine

  2. Blood eosinophils ≥400 cells/µL and/or sputum eosinophils ≥3% (or presence of moderate-to-many free eosinophil granules) at the time of study enrollment

  3. Treated with an inhaled corticosteroid at a dose of ≥1500 µg of fluticasone propionate (or equivalent) and a long-acting beta agonist with or without oral corticosteroids

  4. Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria
  1. Current smokers, ex-smokers with greater than 20 pack-year history or ex-smokers who have smoked within the past 6 months
  2. Any comorbidity that the investigator believes is a contraindication including but not limited to any respiratory (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, pulmonary fibrosis), cardiovascular (e.g., congestive cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension), hematological, gastrointestinal, immunological, musculoskeletal, infectious, or neoplastic disease
  3. Currently treated with another biologic agent (excluding denosumab for osteoporosis)
  4. Use of anti-IL-5 (other than reslizumab) or anti-IgE mAb use within the past one month
  5. Use of a systemic immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agent within 6 months prior to study entry
  6. Suspected of abusing drugs or alcohol
  7. Pregnancy or lactation

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SEQUENTIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Reslizumab 3 mg/kgReslizumabAll patients will initially receive reslizumab 3 mg/kg for at least 16 weeks.
Reslizumab 4 mg/kgReslizumabPatients who have uncontrolled sputum eosinophilia at 16 weeks will receive an increased dose of 4 mg/kg for the next 16 weeks. The patients with controlled eosinophilia will continue to receive 3 mg/kg.
Reslizumab 5 mg/kgReslizumabPatients who have uncontrolled sputum eosinophilia who were previously receiving reslizumab at 4 mg/kg at 32 weeks will receive an increased dose of 5 mg/kg for the next 16 weeks. The patients remaining patients will continue on the dose they were receiving (i.e., either 3 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Sputum eosinophiliaAt baseline and at the end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks.

Absolute difference between the mean sputum eosinophil percent

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Number of asthma exacerbationsAt the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Number of asthma event that are defined as exacerbation (requiring increase in corticosteroids)

Change in Cumulative systemic corticosteroid doseAt the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

The total daily dose of oral corticosteroids

Change in Blood eosinophil countAt the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Absolute blood eosinophil count

Change in Type of asthma exacerbations (as determined by quantitative sputum cytometry)At the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Type of exacerbation shown by: neutrophilic, eosinophilic or mixed neutrophilic/eosinophilic bronchitis

Change in Proportion of patients requiring daily oral corticosteroid therapyAt the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Number of patients that require daily oral corticosteroids

Change in ACQ5 scoreAt the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Mean of 5-question Asthma Control Questionnaire

Change in FEV1At the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Forced expired volume in 1 second measured in litres

Change in Proportion of patients with sputum eosinophils ≤3%At the start and end of each of three dosing periods (every 16 weeks) for total study duration of 48 weeks

Number of patients with sputum eosinophils ≤3%

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Hospital

🇨🇦

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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