CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Mechanism Of Action
BREO ELLIPTA
Since BREO ELLIPTA contains both fluticasone furoate and
vilanterol, the mechanisms of action described below for the individual
components apply to BREO ELLIPTA. These drugs represent 2 different classes of
medications (a synthetic corticosteroid and a LABA) that have different effects
on clinical and physiological indices.
Fluticasone Furoate
Fluticasone furoate is a synthetic trifluorinated
corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory activity. Fluticasone furoate has been
shown in vitro to exhibit a binding affinity for the human glucocorticoid
receptor that is approximately 29.9 times that of dexamethasone and 1.7 times
that of fluticasone propionate. The clinical relevance of these findings is
unknown.
The precise mechanism through which fluticasone furoate
affects COPD and asthma symptoms is not known. Inflammation is an important
component in the pathogenesis of COPD and asthma. Corticosteroids have been
shown to have a wide range of actions on multiple cell types (e.g., mast cells,
eosinophils, neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes) and mediators (e.g.,
histamine, eicosanoids, leukotrienes, cytokines) involved in inflammation.
Specific effects of fluticasone furoate demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo
models included activation of the glucocorticoid response element, inhibition
of pro-inflammatory transcription factors such as NFkB, and inhibition of
antigen-induced lung eosinophilia in sensitized rats. These anti-inflammatory
actions of corticosteroids may contribute to their efficacy.
Vilanterol
Vilanterol is a LABA. In vitro tests have shown the
functional selectivity of vilanterol was similar to salmeterol. The clinical
relevance of this in vitro finding is unknown.
Although beta2-receptors are the predominant adrenergic
receptors in bronchial smooth muscle and beta1-receptors are the predominant
receptors in the heart, there are also beta2-receptors in the human heart
comprising 10% to 50% of the total beta-adrenergic receptors. The precise
function of these receptors has not been established, but they raise the
possibility that even highly selective beta2-agonists may have cardiac effects.
The pharmacologic effects of beta2-adrenoceptor agonist
drugs, including vilanterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation
of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3',5'-adenosine
monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Increased cyclic AMP levels cause relaxation of
bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate
hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells.
Pharmacodynamics
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Healthy Subjects
QTc interval prolongation was studied in a double-blind,
multiple-dose, placebo-and positive-controlled crossover study in 85 healthy
volunteers. The maximum mean (95% upper confidence bound) difference in QTcF
from placebo after baseline-correction was 4.9 (7.5) milliseconds and 9.6
(12.2) milliseconds seen 30 minutes after dosing for fluticasone
furoate/vilanterol 200 mcg/25 mcg and fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 800
mcg/100 mcg, respectively.
A dose-dependent increase in heart rate was also
observed. The maximum mean (95% upper confidence bound) difference in heart
rate from placebo after baseline-correction was 7.8 (9.4) beats/min and 17.1
(18.7) beats/min seen 10 minutes after dosing for fluticasone
furoate/vilanterol 200 mcg/25 mcg and fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 800
mcg/100 mcg, respectively.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Effects
Healthy Subjects
Inhaled fluticasone furoate at repeat doses up to 400 mcg
was not associated with statistically significant decreases in serum or urinary
cortisol in healthy subjects. Decreases in serum and urine cortisol levels were
observed at fluticasone furoate exposures several-fold higher than exposures
observed at the therapeutic dose.
Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
In a trial with subjects with COPD, treatment with
fluticasone furoate (50, 100, or 200 mcg)/vilanterol 25 mcg, vilanterol 25 mcg,
and fluticasone furoate (100 or 200 mcg) for 6 months did not affect 24-hour
urinary cortisol excretion. A separate trial with subjects with COPD
demonstrated no effects on serum cortisol after 28 days of treatment with
fluticasone furoate (50, 100, or 200 mcg)/vilanterol 25 mcg.
Subjects With Asthma
A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial in 185
subjects with asthma showed no difference between once-daily treatment with
fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 100 mcg/25 mcg or fluticasone furoate/vilanterol
200 mcg/25 mcg compared with placebo on serum cortisol weighted mean (0 to 24
hours), serum cortisol AUC(0-24), and 24-hour urinary cortisol after 6 weeks of
treatment, whereas prednisolone 10 mg given once daily for 7 days resulted in
significant cortisol suppression.
Pharmacokinetics
Linear pharmacokinetics was observed for fluticasone
furoate (200 to 800 mcg) and vilanterol (25 to 100 mcg). On repeated once-daily
inhalation administration, steady state of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol
plasma concentrations was achieved after 6 days, and the accumulation was up to
2.6-fold for fluticasone furoate and 2.4-fold for vilanterol as compared with
single dose.
Absorption
Fluticasone Furoate
Fluticasone furoate plasma levels may not predict
therapeutic effect. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 0.5 to 1
hour. Absolute bioavailability of fluticasone furoate when administrated by
inhalation was 15.2%, primarily due to absorption of the inhaled portion of the
dose delivered to the lung. Oral bioavailability from the swallowed portion of
the dose is low (approximately 1.3%) due to extensive first-pass metabolism.
Systemic exposure (AUC) in subjects with COPD or asthma was 46% or 7% lower,
respectively, than observed in healthy subjects.
Vilanterol
Vilanterol plasma levels may not predict therapeutic
effect. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 10 minutes following
inhalation. Absolute bioavailability of vilanterol when administrated by
inhalation was 27.3%, primarily due to absorption of the inhaled portion of the
dose delivered to the lung. Oral bioavailability from the swallowed portion of
the dose of vilanterol is low (<2%) due to extensive first-pass metabolism.
Systemic exposure (AUC) in subjects with COPD was 24% higher than observed in
healthy subjects. Systemic exposure (AUC) in subjects with asthma was 21% lower
than observed in healthy subjects.
Distribution
Fluticasone Furoate
Following intravenous administration to healthy subjects,
the mean volume of distribution at steady state was 661 L. Binding of
fluticasone furoate to human plasma proteins was high (99.6%).
Vilanterol
Following intravenous administration to healthy subjects,
the mean volume of distribution at steady state was 165 L. Binding of
vilanterol to human plasma proteins was 93.9%.
Metabolism
Fluticasone Furoate
Fluticasone furoate is cleared from systemic circulation
principally by hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4 to metabolites with significantly
reduced corticosteroid activity. There was no in vivo evidence for cleavage of
the furoate moiety resulting in the formation of fluticasone.
Vilanterol
Vilanterol is mainly metabolized, principally via CYP3A4,
to a range of metabolites with significantly reduced β1-and β2-agonist
activity.
Elimination
Fluticasone Furoate
Fluticasone furoate and its metabolites are eliminated
primarily in the feces, accounting for approximately 101% and 90% of the orally
and intravenously administered doses, respectively. Urinary excretion accounted
for approximately 1% and 2% of the orally and intravenously administered doses,
respectively. Following repeat-dose inhaled administration, the plasma elimination
phase half-life averaged 24 hours.
Vilanterol
Following oral administration, vilanterol was eliminated
mainly by metabolism followed by excretion of metabolites in urine and feces
(approximately 70% and 30% of the recovered radioactive dose, respectively).
The plasma elimination half-life of vilanterol, as determined from inhalation
administration of multiple doses of vilanterol 25 mcg, is 21.3 hours in
subjects with COPD and 16.0 hours in subjects with asthma.
Specific Populations
The effect of renal and hepatic impairment and other
intrinsic factors on the pharmacokinetics of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol
is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Impact of Intrinsic Factors on the
Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Fluticasone Furoate (FF) and Vilanterol (VI) Following
Administration as Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Combination
aSevere renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min)
compared with healthy subjects; mild (Child-Pugh A), moderate (Child-Pugh B),
and severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment compared with healthy subjects.
b For COPD and asthma, the following comparisons were made: age
compared with ≤65 years, gender compared with female, and ethnicity
compared with white.
Racial Or Ethnic Groups
Systemic exposure [AUC(0-24)]
to inhaled fluticasone furoate 200 mcg was 27% to 49% higher in healthy
subjects of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese heritage compared with white
subjects. Similar differences were observed for subjects with COPD or asthma (Figure
1). However, there is no evidence that this higher exposure to fluticasone
furoate results in clinically relevant effects on urinary cortisol excretion or
on efficacy in these racial groups.
There was no effect of race on the pharmacokinetics of
vilanterol in subjects with COPD. In subjects with asthma, vilanterol Cmax is
estimated to be higher (3-fold) and AUC(0-24) comparable for those subjects
from an Asian heritage compared with subjects from a non-Asian heritage.
However, the higher Cmax values are similar to those seen in healthy subjects.
Patients With Hepatic Impairment
Fluticasone Furoate
Following repeat dosing of fluticasone furoate/vilanterol
200 mcg/25 mcg (100 mcg/12.5 mcg in the severe impairment group) for 7 days,
there was an increase of 34%, 83%, and 75% in fluticasone furoate systemic
exposure (AUC) in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe hepatic impairment,
respectively, compared with healthy subjects (Figure 1).
In subjects with moderate hepatic impairment receiving
fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 200 mcg/25 mcg, mean serum cortisol (0 to 24
hours) was reduced by 34% (90% CI: 11%, 51%) compared with healthy subjects. In
subjects with severe hepatic impairment receiving fluticasone
furoate/vilanterol 100 mcg/12.5 mcg, mean serum cortisol (0 to 24 hours) was
increased by 14% (90% CI: -16%, 55%) compared with healthy subjects. Patients
with moderate to severe hepatic disease should be closely monitored.
Vilanterol
Hepatic impairment had no effect on vilanterol systemic
exposure [Cmax and AUC(0-24) on Day 7] following repeat-dose administration of
fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 200 mcg/25 mcg (100 mcg/12.5 mcg in the severe
impairment group) for 7 days (Figure 1).
There were no additional clinically relevant effects of
the fluticasone furoate/vilanterol combinations on heart rate or serum
potassium in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (vilanterol 25
mcg combination) or with severe hepatic impairment (vilanterol 12.5 mcg
combination) compared with healthy subjects.
Patients With Renal Impairment
Fluticasone furoate systemic exposure was not increased
and vilanterol systemic exposure [AUC(0-24)] was 56% higher in subjects with
severe renal impairment compared with healthy subjects (Figure 1). There was no
evidence of greater corticosteroid or beta-agonist class-related systemic
effects (assessed by serum cortisol, heart rate, and serum potassium) in
subjects with severe renal impairment compared with healthy subjects.
Drug Interaction Studies
There were no clinically relevant differences in the
pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of either fluticasone furoate or
vilanterol when administered in combination compared with administration alone.
The potential for fluticasone furoate and vilanterol to inhibit or induce
metabolic enzymes and transporter systems is negligible at low inhalation
doses.
Inhibitors Of Cytochrome P450 3A4
The exposure (AUC) of fluticasone furoate and vilanterol
were 36% and 65% higher, respectively, when coadministered with ketoconazole
400 mg compared with placebo (Figure 2). The increase in fluticasone furoate
exposure was associated with a 27% reduction in weighted mean serum cortisol (0
to 24 hours). The increase in vilanterol exposure was not associated with an
increase in beta-agonist-related systemic effects on heart rate or blood
potassium.
Figure 2: Impact of Coadministered Drugsa on
the Pharmacokinetics (PK) of Fluticasone Furoate (FF) and Vilanterol (VI)
Following Administration as Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol Combination or
Vilanterol Coadministered with a Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist
a Compared with placebo group.
Inhibitors Of P-glycoprotein
Fluticasone furoate and
vilanterol are both substrates of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Coadministration of
repeat-dose (240 mg once daily) verapamil (a potent P-gp inhibitor and moderate
CYP3A4 inhibitor) did not affect the vilanterol Cmax or AUC in healthy subjects
(Figure 2). Drug interaction trials with a specific P-gp inhibitor and
fluticasone furoate have not been conducted.
Clinical Studies
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
The safety and efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA were evaluated in
more than 24,000 subjects with COPD. The development program included 4
confirmatory trials of 6 and 12 months' duration, three 12-week active
comparator trials with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg, 1
long-term trial, and dose-ranging trials of shorter duration. The efficacy of
BREO ELLIPTA is based primarily on the dose-ranging trials and the 4
confirmatory trials described below.
Dose Selection For Vilanterol
Dose selection for vilanterol in COPD was supported by a
28-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial
evaluating 5 doses of vilanterol (3 to 50 mcg) or placebo dosed in the morning
in 602 subjects with COPD. Results demonstrated dose-related increases from
baseline in FEV1 at Day 1 and Day 28 (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Least Squares (LS) Mean Change from Baseline
in Postdose Serial FEV1 (0-24 h) (mL) on Days 1 and 28
The differences in trough FEV1 on
Day 28 from placebo for the 3-, 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, and 50-mcg doses were 92 mL
(95% CI: 39, 144), 98 mL (95% CI: 46, 150), 110 mL (95% CI: 57, 162), 137
mL (95% CI: 85, 190), and 165 mL (95% CI: 112, 217), respectively. These
results supported the evaluation of vilanterol 25 mcg once daily in the
confirmatory trials for COPD.
Dose Selection For Fluticasone Furoate
Dose selection of fluticasone furoate for Phase 3 trials
in subjects with COPD was based on dose-ranging trials conducted in subjects
with asthma; these trials are described in detail below [see Clinical
Studies].
Confirmatory Trials
The 4 confirmatory trials evaluated the efficacy of BREO
ELLIPTA on lung function (Trials 1 and 2) and exacerbations (Trials 3 and 4).
Lung Function
Trials 1 and 2 were 24-week, randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA on
lung function in subjects with COPD. In Trial 1, subjects were randomized to
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, BREO ELLIPTA 200/25, fluticasone furoate 100 mcg,
fluticasone furoate 200 mcg, vilanterol 25 mcg, and placebo. In Trial 2,
subjects were randomized to BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, fluticasone furoate/vilanterol
50 mcg/25 mcg, fluticasone furoate 100 mcg, vilanterol 25 mcg, and placebo. All
treatments were administered as 1 inhalation once daily.
Of the 2,254 patients, 70% were male and 84% were white.
They had a mean age of 62 years and an average smoking history of 44 pack
years, with 54% identified as current smokers. At screening, the mean
postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was 48% (range: 14% to 87%), mean
postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was 47% (range: 17% to 88%), and the mean
percent reversibility was 14% (range: -41% to 152%).
The co-primary efficacy variables in both trials were
weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 4 hours) postdose on Day 168 and change from baseline
in trough FEV1 on Day 169 (the mean of the FEV1 values obtained 23 and 24 hours
after the final dose on Day 168). The weighted mean comparison of the
fluticasone furoate/vilanterol combination with fluticasone furoate was
assessed to evaluate the contribution of vilanterol to BREO ELLIPTA. The trough
FEV1 comparison of the fluticasone furoate/vilanterol combination with
vilanterol was assessed to evaluate the contribution of fluticasone furoate to
BREO ELLIPTA.
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 demonstrated a larger increase in the
weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 4 hours) relative to placebo and fluticasone furoate
100 mcg at Day 168 (Table 5).
Table 5: Least Squares Mean Change from Baseline in
Weighted Mean FEV1 (0-4 h) and Trough FEV1 at 6 Months
Treatment |
n |
Weighted Mean FEV1 (0-4 h)a (mL) |
Trough FEV1b (mL) |
Difference from |
Difference from |
Placebo (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 100 mcg (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 200 mcg (95% CI) |
Placebo (95% CI) |
Vilanterol 25 mcg (95% CI) |
Trial 1 |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
204 |
214
(161, 266) |
168
(116, 220) |
— |
144
(91, 197) |
45
(-8, 97) |
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 |
205 |
209
(157, 261) |
— |
168
(117, 219) |
131
(80, 183) |
32
(-19, 83) |
Trial 2 |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
206 |
173
(123, 224) |
120
(70, 170) |
— |
115
(60, 169) |
48
(-6, 102) |
a At Day 168.
b At Day 169. |
Serial spirometric evaluations
were performed predose and up to 4 hours after dosing. Results from Trial 1 at
Day 1 and Day 168 are shown in Figure 4. Similar results were seen in Trial 2
(not shown).
Figure 4: Raw Mean Change
from Baseline in Postdose Serial FEV1 (0-4 h) (mL) on Days 1 and 168
The second co-primary variable
was change from baseline in trough FEV1 following the final treatment day. At
Day 169, both Trials 1 and 2 demonstrated significant increases in trough FEV1 for
all strengths of the fluticasone furoate/vilanterol combination compared with
placebo (Table 5). The comparison of BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 with vilanterol did
not achieve statistical significance (Table 5).
Trials 1 and 2 evaluated FEV1 as
a secondary endpoint. Peak FEV1 was defined as the maximum postdose FEV1 recorded
within 4 hours after the first dose of trial medicine on Day 1 (measurements
recorded at 5, 15, and 30 minutes and 1, 2, and 4 hours). In both trials,
differences in mean change from baseline in peak FEV1 were observed for the
groups receiving BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with placebo (152 and 139 mL,
respectively). The median time to onset, defined as a 100-mL increase from
baseline in FEV1, was 16 minutes in subjects receiving BREO ELLIPTA 100/25.
Exacerbations
Trials 3 and 4 were randomized,
double-blind, 52-week trials designed to evaluate the effect of BREO ELLIPTA on
the rate of moderate and severe COPD exacerbations. All subjects were treated
with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg twice daily during a
4-week run-in period prior to being randomly assigned to 1 of the following
treatment groups: BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, BREO ELLIPTA 200/25, fluticasone
furoate/vilanterol 50 mcg/25 mcg, or vilanterol 25 mcg.
The primary efficacy variable in both trials was the
annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations. The comparison of the fluticasone
furoate/vilanterol combination with vilanterol was assessed to evaluate the
contribution of fluticasone furoate to BREO ELLIPTA. In these 2 trials,
exacerbations were defined as worsening of 2 or more major symptoms (dyspnea,
sputum volume, and sputum purulence) or worsening of any 1 major symptom
together with any 1 of the following minor symptoms: sore throat, colds (nasal
discharge and/or nasal congestion), fever without other cause, and increased
cough or wheeze for at least 2 consecutive days. COPD exacerbations were
considered to be of moderate severity if treatment with systemic
corticosteroids and/or antibiotics was required and were considered to be
severe if hospitalization was required.
Trials 3 and 4 included 3,255 subjects, of which 57% were
male and 85% were white. They had a mean age of 64 years and an average smoking
history of 46 pack years, with 44% identified as current smokers. At screening,
the mean postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was 45% (range: 12% to 91%),
and mean postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio was 46% (range: 17% to 81%),
indicating that the subject population had moderate to very severely impaired
airflow obstruction. The mean percent reversibility was 15% (range: -65% to
313%).
Subjects treated with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 had a lower
annual rate of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations compared with vilanterol in
both trials (Table 6).
Table 6: Moderate and Severe Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations
Treatment |
n |
Mean Annual Rate (exacerbations /year) |
Ratio vs. Vilanterol |
95% CI |
Trial 3 |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
403 |
0.90 |
0.79 |
0.64, 0.97 |
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 |
409 |
0.79 |
0.69 |
0.56, 0.85 |
Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 50 mcg/25 mcg |
412 |
0.92 |
0.81 |
0.66, 0.99 |
Vilanterol 25 mcg |
409 |
1.14 |
- |
— |
Trial 4 |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
403 |
0.70 |
0.66 |
0.54, 0.81 |
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 |
402 |
0.90 |
0.85 |
0.70, 1.04 |
Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol 50 mcg/25 mcg |
408 |
0.92 |
0.87 |
0.72, 1.06 |
Vilanterol 25 mcg |
409 |
1.05 |
— |
— |
Comparator Trials
Three 12-week, randomized,
double-blind, double-dummy trials were conducted with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 once
daily versus fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg twice daily to
evaluate the efficacy of serial lung function of BREO ELLIPTA in subjects with
COPD.
The primary endpoint of each study was change from
baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) on Day 84. Of the 519 patients
in Trial 5, 64% were male and 97% were white; mean age was 61 years; average
smoking history was 40 pack years, with 55% identified as current smokers. At
screening in the treatment group using BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, the mean postbronchodilator
percent predicted FEV1 was 48% (range: 19% to 70%), the mean (SD) FEV1/FVC
ratio was 0.51 (0.11), and the mean percent reversibility was 11% (range: -12%
to 83%). At screening in the treatment group using fluticasone
propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg, the mean postbronchodilator percent
predicted FEV1 was 47% (range: 14% to 71%), the mean (SD) FEV1/FVC ratio was
0.49 (0.10), and the mean percent reversibility was 11% (range: -13% to 50%).
Of the 511 patients in Trial 6, 68% were male and 94%
were white; mean age was 62 years; average smoking history was 35 pack years,
with 52% identified as current smokers. At screening in the treatment group
using BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, the mean postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was
48% (range: 18% to 70%), the mean (SD) FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.51 (0.10), and the
mean percent reversibility was 12% (range: -56% to 77%). At screening in the
treatment group using fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg, the
mean postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was 49% (range: 15% to 70%), the
mean (SD) FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.50 (0.10), and the mean percent reversibility
was 12% (range: -66% to 72%).
Of the 828 patients in Trial 7, 72% were male and 98%
were white; mean age was 61 years; average smoking history was 38 pack years,
with 60% identified as current smokers. At screening in the treatment group
using BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, the mean postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was
48% (range: 18% to 70%), the mean (SD) FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.52 (0.10), and the
mean percent reversibility was 12% (range: -26% to 84%). At screening in the
treatment group using fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg, the
mean postbronchodilator percent predicted FEV1 was 48% (range: 16% to 70%), the
mean (SD) FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.51 (0.10), and the mean percent reversibility
was 12% (range: -15% to 67%).
In Trial 5, the mean (SE) change from baseline in
weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 was 174 (15) mL
compared with 94 (16) mL with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg
(treatment difference 80 mL; 95% CI: 37, 124; P<0.001). In Trials 6 and 7,
the mean (SE) change from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) with
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 was 142 (18) mL and 168 (12) mL, respectively, compared
with 114 (18) mL and 142 (12) mL, respectively, for fluticasone
propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg (Trial 6 treatment difference 29 mL; 95%
CI: -22, 80; P = 0.267; Trial 7 treatment difference 25 mL; 95% CI: -8, 59; P =
0.137).
Mortality Trial
A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, multinational
trial prospectively evaluated the efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with
placebo on survival. The trial was event-driven and patients were followed
until a sufficient number of deaths occurred. In this trial, 16,568 subjects
aged 40 to 80 years received BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 (n = 4,140), fluticasone
furoate 100 mcg (n = 4,157), vilanterol 25 mcg (n = 4,140), or placebo (n =
4,131). Subjects were treated for up to 4 years, with a median treatment
duration of 1.5 years. Median duration of follow-up for the endpoint of
survival was 1.8 years for all treatment groups. All subjects had COPD with
moderate airflow limitation (≥50% and ≤70% predicted FEV1) and
either had a history of, or were at risk of, cardiovascular disease. The
primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary efficacy endpoints included
the rate of decline in FEV1, annual rate of moderate/severe COPD exacerbations,
and health-related quality of life as measured by the St. George's Respiratory
Questionnaire for COPD patients (SGRQ-C).
Survival
Survival with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 was not significantly
improved compared with placebo (hazard ratio 0.88; 95% CI: 0.74, 1.04).
Mortality per 100 patient-years was 3.1 for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, 3.5 for
placebo, 3.2 for fluticasone furoate, and 3.4 for vilanterol.
Lung Function
A reduction of 8 mL/year was estimated on-treatment for
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with placebo in the rate of lung function decline
as measured by FEV1 (95% CI: 1, 15).
Exacerbations
Treatment with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 reduced the
on-treatment annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations by 29% compared with
placebo (95% CI: 22, 35). Treatment with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 reduced the annual
rate of moderate/severe exacerbations by 19% compared with fluticasone furoate
(95% CI: 12, 26) and by 21% compared with vilanterol (95% CI: 14, 28). The
on-treatment annual rate of moderate/severe exacerbations was 0.25 for BREO
ELLIPTA 100/25, 0.35 for placebo, 0.31 for fluticasone furoate, and 0.31 for
vilanterol.
Treatment with BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 reduced the
on-treatment annual rate of severe exacerbations (i.e., requiring
hospitalization) by 27% compared with placebo (95% CI: 13, 39). Treatment with
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 reduced the on-treatment annual rate of exacerbations
requiring hospitalization by 11% compared with fluticasone furoate (95% CI: -6,
25) and by 9% compared with vilanterol (95% CI: -8, 24).
Health-Related Quality Of Life
The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) is a
disease-specific patient-reported instrument that measures symptoms,
activities, and impact on daily life. The SGRQ-C, a shorter version derived
from the original SGRQ, was used in this trial. Results were transformed to the
SGRQ for reporting purposes. In a subset of 4,443 subjects, the on-treatment
SGRQ responder rates at 1 year (defined as a change in score of 4 or more as
threshold) were 49% for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, 47% for placebo, 48% for
fluticasone furoate, and 48% for vilanterol (odds ratio 1.18; 95% CI: 0.97,
1.44 for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with placebo).
Asthma
The safety and efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA were evaluated in
9,969 subjects with asthma. The development program included 4 confirmatory
trials (2 of 12 weeks' duration, 1 of 24 weeks' duration, 1 exacerbation trial
of 24 to 76 weeks' duration), one 24-week active comparator trial with
fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg, and dose-ranging trials of
shorter duration. The efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA is based primarily on the
dose-ranging trials and the 4 confirmatory trials described below.
Dose Selection For Vilanterol
Dose selection for vilanterol in asthma was supported by
a 28-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial
evaluating 5 doses of vilanterol (3 to 50 mcg) or placebo dosed in the evening
in 607 subjects with asthma. Results demonstrated dose-related increases from baseline
in FEV1 at Day 1 and Day 28 (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Least Squares (LS) Mean Change from Baseline
in Postdose Serial FEV1 (0-24 h) (mL) on Days 1 and 28
The differences in trough FEV1 on
Day 28 from placebo for the 3-, 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, and 50-mcg doses were 64 mL
(95% CI: -36, 164), 69 mL (95% CI: -29, 168), 130 mL (95% CI: 30, 230), 121 mL
(95% CI: 23, 220), and 162 mL (95% CI: 62, 261), respectively. These results
and results of the secondary endpoints supported the evaluation of vilanterol
25 mcg once daily in the confirmatory trials for asthma.
Dose Selection For Fluticasone
Furoate
Eight doses of fluticasone
furoate ranging from 25 to 800 mcg once daily were evaluated in 3 randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trials in subjects with asthma. A
dose-related increase in trough FEV1 at Week 8 was seen for doses from 25 to
200 mcg with no consistent additional benefit for doses above 200 mcg. To
evaluate dosing frequency, a separate trial compared fluticasone furoate 200
mcg once daily and fluticasone furoate 100 mcg twice daily. The results
supported the selection of the once-daily dosing frequency (Figure 6).
Figure 6: Fluticasone Furoate Dose-Ranging and
Dose-Frequency Trials
Confirmatory Trials
The efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA
was evaluated in 4 randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trials in
adult and adolescent subjects with asthma. Three (3) trials were designed to
evaluate the safety and efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA given once daily in subjects
who were not controlled on their current treatments of ICS or combination
therapy consisting of an ICS plus a LABA (Trials 1, 2, and 3). A 24-to 76-week
exacerbation trial was designed to demonstrate that treatment with BREO ELLIPTA
100/25 significantly decreased the risk of asthma exacerbations as measured by
time to first asthma exacerbation when compared with fluticasone furoate 100
mcg (Trial 5). This trial enrolled subjects who had 1 or more asthma
exacerbations in the year prior to trial entry. The demographics of these 4
trials and the comparator trial (Trial 6) are provided in Table 7. While
subjects aged 12 to 17 years were included in these trials, BREO ELLIPTA is not
approved for use in this age group [see INDICATIONS, ADVERSE
REACTIONS, Use In Specific Populations].
Table 7: Demography of Asthma Trials 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6
Parameter |
Trial 1
n = 609 |
Trial 2
n = 1,039 |
Trial 3
n = 586 |
Trial 5
n = 2,019 |
Trial 6
n = 806 |
Mean age (years) (range) |
40
(12, 84) |
46
(12, 82) |
46
(12, 76) |
42
(12, 82) |
43
(12, 80) |
Female (%) |
58 |
60 |
59 |
67 |
61 |
White (%) |
84 |
88 |
84 |
73 |
59 |
Duration of asthma (years) |
12 |
18 |
16 |
16 |
21 |
Never smokeda (%) |
N/A |
84 |
N/A |
86 |
81 |
Predose FEV1 (L) at baseline |
2.32 |
1.97 |
2.15 |
2.20 |
2.03 |
Mean percent predicted FEV1 at baseline (%) |
70 |
62 |
67 |
72 |
68 |
% Reversibility |
29 |
30 |
29 |
24 |
28 |
Absolute reversibility (mL) |
614 |
563 |
571 |
500 |
512 |
N/A = Data not collected.
a Trials did not include current smokers; past smokers had fewer
than 10 packs per year history. |
Trials 1, 2, and 3 were 12-or
24-week trials that evaluated the efficacy of BREO ELLIPTA on lung function in
subjects with asthma. In Trial 1, subjects were randomized to BREO ELLIPTA
100/25, fluticasone furoate 100 mcg, or placebo. In Trial 2, subjects were
randomized to BREO ELLIPTA 100/25, BREO ELLIPTA 200/25, or fluticasone furoate
100 mcg. In Trial 3, subjects were randomized to BREO ELLIPTA 200/25,
fluticasone furoate 200 mcg, or fluticasone propionate 500 mcg. All inhalations
were administered once daily, with the exception of fluticasone propionate,
which was administered twice daily. Subjects receiving an ICS or an ICS plus a
LABA (doses of ICS varied by trial and asthma severity) entered a 4-week run-in
period during which LABA treatment was stopped. Subjects reporting symptoms
and/or rescue beta2-agonist medication use during the run-in period were
continued in the trial.
In Trials 1 and 3, change from
baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) and change from baseline in
trough FEV1 at approximately 24 hours after the last dose at study endpoint (12
and 24 weeks, respectively) were co-primary efficacy endpoints. In Trial 2,
change from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) at Week 12 was the
primary efficacy endpoint; change from baseline in trough FEV1 at approximately
24 hours after the last dose at Week 12 was a secondary endpoint. (See Table
8.) Weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) was derived from serial measurements
taken within 30 minutes prior to dosing and postdose assessments at 5, 15, and
30 minutes and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 20, 23, and 24 hours after the final
dose. Other secondary endpoints included change from baseline in
percentage of rescue-free 24-hour periods and percentage of symptom-free
24-hour periods over the treatment period.
Table 8: Change from Baseline in Weighted Mean FEV1 (0-24
h) (mL) and Trough FEV1 (mL) at Study Endpoint (Trials 1, 2, and 3)
Study (Duration) Background Treatment |
n |
Weighted Mean FEV1 (0-24 h) (mL) |
Difference from |
Placebo (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 100 mcg (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 200 mcg (95% CI) |
Treatment |
Trial 1 (12 Weeks) |
Low- to mid-dose ICS or low-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
108 |
302 (178, 426) |
116 (-5, 236) |
— |
Trial 2 (12 Weeks) |
Mid- to high-dose ICS or mid-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
312 |
— |
108 (45, 171) |
— |
Trial 3 (24 Weeks) |
High-dose ICS or mid-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 |
89 |
— |
— |
136 (1, 270) |
Study (Duration) Background Treatment |
n |
Trough FEV1 (mL) |
Difference from |
Placebo (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 100 mcg (95% CI) |
Fluticasone Furoate 200 mcg (95% CI) |
Treatment |
Trial 1 (12 Weeks) |
Low- to mid-dose ICS or low-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
200 |
172 (87, 258) |
36 (-48, 120) |
— |
Trial 2 (12 Weeks) |
Mid- to high-dose ICS or mid-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 |
334 |
— |
77 (16, 138) |
— |
Trial 3 (24 Weeks) |
High-dose ICS or mid-dose ICS + LABA |
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 |
187 |
— |
— |
193 (108, 277) |
ICS = inhaled corticosteroid,
LABA = long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist. |
In Trial 1, weighted mean FEV1 (0
to 24 hours) was assessed in a subset of subjects (n = 309). At Week 12, change
from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) was significantly greater
for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with placebo (302 mL; 95% CI: 178, 426; P<0.001)
(Table 8); change from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) for BREO
ELLIPTA 100/25 was numerically greater than fluticasone furoate 100 mcg, but
not statistically significant (116 mL; 95% CI: -5, 236). At Week 12, change
from baseline in trough FEV1 was significantly greater for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25
compared with placebo (172 mL; 95% CI: 87, 258; P<0.001) (Table 8); change
from baseline in trough FEV1 for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 was numerically greater
than fluticasone furoate 100 mcg, but not statistically significant (36 mL; 95%
CI: -48, 120).
In Trial 2, the change from
baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) was significantly greater for
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (108 mL; 95% CI:
45, 171; P<0.001) at Week 12 (Table 8). In a descriptive analysis, the
change from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) for BREO ELLIPTA
200/25 was numerically greater than BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 (24 mL; 95% CI: -37,
86) at Week 12. The change from baseline in trough FEV1 was significantly
greater for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (77
mL, 95% CI: 16, 138; P = 0.014) at Week 12 (Table 8). In a descriptive
analysis, the change from baseline in trough FEV1 for BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 was
numerically greater than BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 (16 mL; 95% CI: -46, 77) at Week
12.
In Trial 3, the change from
baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) was significantly greater for
BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 compared with fluticasone furoate 200 mcg (136 mL; 95% CI:
1, 270; P = 0.048) at Week 24 (Table 8). The change from baseline in trough FEV1
was significantly greater for BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 compared with fluticasone
furoate 200 mcg (193 mL, 95% CI: 108, 277; P<0.001) at Week 24.
Lung function improvements were
demonstrated through weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24 hours) over the 24-hour period
following the final dose of BREO ELLIPTA in Trials 2 and 3. Serial FEV1 measurements
were taken within 30 minutes prior to dosing and postdose assessments at 5, 15,
and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 16, 20, 23, and 24 hours in Trials 1, 2,
and 3. A representative figure is shown from Trial 2 in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Least Squares (LS) Mean Change from Baseline
in Individual Serial FEV1 (mL) Assessments over 24 Hours after 12 Weeks of
Treatment (Trial 2)
Subjects receiving BREO ELLIPTA
100/25 (Trial 2) or BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 (Trial 3) had significantly greater
improvements from baseline in percentage of 24-hour periods without need of beta2-agonist
rescue medication use and percentage of 24-hour periods without asthma symptoms
compared with subjects receiving fluticasone furoate 100 mcg or fluticasone
furoate 200 mcg, respectively. In a descriptive analysis (Trial 2), subjects
receiving BREO ELLIPTA 200/25 had numerical improvements from baseline in
percentage of 24-hour periods without need of beta2-agonist rescue medication
use and percentage of 24-hour periods without asthma symptoms compared with
subjects receiving BREO ELLIPTA 100/25.
Trial 5 was a 24-to 76-week
event-driven exacerbation trial that evaluated whether BREO ELLIPTA 100/25
significantly decreased the risk of asthma exacerbations as measured by time to
first asthma exacerbation when compared with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg in
subjects with asthma. Subjects receiving low-to high-dose ICS (fluticasone
propionate 100 mcg to 500 mcg twice daily or equivalent) or low-to mid-dose ICS
plus a LABA (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 100 mcg/50 mcg to 250 mcg/50 mcg
twice daily or equivalent) and a history of 1 or more asthma exacerbations that
required treatment with oral/systemic corticosteroid or emergency department
visit or in-patient hospitalization for the treatment of asthma in the year
prior to trial entry, entered a 2-week run-in period during which LABA treatment
was stopped. Subjects reporting symptoms and/or rescue beta2-agonist medication
use during the run-in period were continued in the trial.
The primary endpoint was time to first asthma
exacerbation. Asthma exacerbation was defined as deterioration of asthma
requiring the use of systemic corticosteroid for at least 3 days or an
in-patient hospitalization or emergency department visit due to asthma that
required systemic corticosteroid. Rate of asthma exacerbation was a secondary
endpoint. The hazard ratio from the Cox Model for the analysis of time to first
asthma exacerbation for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with fluticasone furoate
100 mcg was 0.795 (95% CI: 0.642, 0.985). This represents a 20% reduction in
the risk of experiencing an asthma exacerbation for subjects treated with BREO
ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg (P = 0.036). Mean
yearly rates of asthma exacerbations of 0.14 and 0.19 in subjects treated with
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 compared with fluticasone furoate 100 mcg, respectively,
were observed (25% reduction in rate; 95% CI: 5%, 40%).
Comparator Trial
Trial 6 was a 24-week trial that compared the efficacy of
BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 once daily with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250
mcg/50 mcg twice daily (N = 806). Subjects receiving mid-dose ICS (fluticasone
propionate 250 mcg twice daily or equivalent) entered a 4-week run-in period
during which all subjects received fluticasone propionate 250 mcg twice daily.
The primary endpoint was change from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0 to 24
hours) at Week 24.
The mean change (SE) from baseline in weighted mean FEV1 (0
to 24 hours) for BREO ELLIPTA 100/25 was 341 (18.4) mL compared with 377 (18.5)
mL for fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 250 mcg/50 mcg (treatment difference
-37 mL; 95% CI: -88, 15; P = 0.162).