Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/495—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with two or more nitrogen atoms as the only ring heteroatoms, e.g. piperazine or tetrazines
  • A61K31/4985—Pyrazines or piperazines ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic ring systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
  • A61K31/47—Quinolines; Isoquinolines
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/40—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil
  • A61K31/403—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having five-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom, e.g. sulpiride, succinimide, tolmetin, buflomedil condensed with carbocyclic rings, e.g. carbazole
  • A61K31/404—Indoles, e.g. pindolol
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/435—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with one nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
  • A61K31/44—Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof
  • A61K31/4427—Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof containing further heterocyclic ring systems
  • A61K31/443—Non condensed pyridines; Hydrogenated derivatives thereof containing further heterocyclic ring systems containing a five-membered ring with oxygen as a ring hetero atom
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/495—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with two or more nitrogen atoms as the only ring heteroatoms, e.g. piperazine or tetrazines
  • A61K31/4995—Pyrazines or piperazines forming part of bridged ring systems
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K31/00—Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
  • A61K31/33—Heterocyclic compounds
  • A61K31/395—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins
  • A61K31/495—Heterocyclic compounds having nitrogen as a ring hetero atom, e.g. guanethidine or rifamycins having six-membered rings with two or more nitrogen atoms as the only ring heteroatoms, e.g. piperazine or tetrazines
  • A61K31/505—Pyrimidines; Hydrogenated pyrimidines, e.g. trimethoprim
  • A61K31/519—Pyrimidines; Hydrogenated pyrimidines, e.g. trimethoprim ortho- or peri-condensed with heterocyclic rings
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K45/00—Medicinal preparations containing active ingredients not provided for in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
  • A61K45/06—Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K2121/00—Preparations for use in therapy

Definitions

• CF cystic fibrosis
• CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
• LTB4 leukotriene B4
• LTA4 is an immune cell chemoattractant and activator implicated in the initiation of cytokine and chemokine cascades that amplify and perpetuate inflammation via neutrophil swarming behavior [Lammerman et al., 2013; Afonso, et al. 2012; Sadik and Luster, 2012]
• LTB4 is generated from leukotriene A4 (LTA4) by the enzyme leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4-I1).
• LTA 4 -h is a monomeric, soluble 69 kD zinc metalloenzyme that catalyses two reactions: the stereospecific epoxide hydrolase reaction to convert LTA4 to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and an aminopeptidase cleavage of small peptide substrates. Inhibition of LTA4-I1 has the potential to reduce LTB4 production, thus reducing neutrophil influx and the release of neutrophil-derived enzymes such as neutrophil elastase ( Figure 1). [Woolhouse et al. , 2002; Tirouvanziam 2006] .
• LTA4-I1 inhibitors have been described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 7,737,145, U.S. Patent No. 9,820,974, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20100210630A1, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.
• a specific LTA4-I1 inhibitor described in these patent publications is 4- ⁇ [(lS,4S)-5-( ⁇ 4-[4-oxazol-2-yl- phenoxy]phenyl ⁇ methyl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2. l]heptan-2-yl]methyl ⁇ benzoic acid (also referred to herein as CTX-4430 and by its International Nonproprietary Name, acebilustat).
• Acebilustat is an oral therapy that modulates LTB4 production and targets inflammatory process in CF [Elbom et al. , 2017a] In two Phase I trials, acebilustat reduced LTB4 production and other inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers and patients with CF
• the present invention is directed to a method of treating cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases, including methods of decreasing pulmonary exacerbations, including reducing the risk of pulmonary exacerbations and/or reducing the rate (such as the annual or annualized rate), number or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation, and/or reducing pulmonary exacerbations such that the patient does not experience any pulmonary exacerbations for at least one year (after initiating treatment with acebilustat).
• the methods comprise orally
• cystic fibrosis or other respiratory disease patients acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, about 50 mg or less, from about 50 mg to about 100 mg, about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the methods also include reducing pulmonary inflammation and methods of treating chronic pulmonary inflammation in a cystic fibrosis patient.
• acebilustat treatment results in an increased proportion of patients that were exacerbation free (experienced no pulmonary exacerbations) after initiating acebilustat treatment over the course of the 48 weeks of study.
• acebilustat treatment has its greatest effect in cystic fibrosis patients having a phenotype characterized as mild lung disease (e.g., patients having a FEV ipp greater than about 65% at the start of treatment or at baseline) as compared to patients with more severe lung disease.
• anti-inflammatory treatment comprising acebilustat reduced the rate of pulmonary exacerbations and increased the time to first pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients of the mild lung disease phenotype as compared to that in patients treated with placebo or in patients with moderate or severe lung disease. This effect was observed whether patients were taking or not taking concomitant treatment with CFTR modulator therapy.
• acebilustat treatment was observed in patients having the mild lung disease phenotype and taking CFTR modulator therapy, although a benefit was also observed in patients with mild disease not taking CFTR modulator therapy.
• the benefit of acebilustat treatment observed in patients taking concomitant CFTR modulator therapy was observed regardless of lung disease phenotype, and the effect on pulmonary exacerbation was greater than that in patients not taking CFTR modulator therapy in this population with a broader range of disease severity.
• invention is directed to a method of decreasing pulmonary exacerbations, including reducing the rate (for example, number or frequency) of pulmonary exacerbations or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation, in a patient in need thereof comprising orally administering to the patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less.
• the patient in need of treatment can be a patient suffering from a respiratory condition characterized by the occurrence of pulmonary exacerbations.
• respiratory conditions include, for example, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial lung disease.
• the invention includes a method of decreasing pulmonary exacerbations, including reducing the number or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation, in a cystic fibrosis patient comprising orally administering to the patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less.
• the patient such as a cystic fibrosis patient, does not experience any pulmonary exacerbations for at least one year after initiating oral administration with acebilustat.
• Acebilustat can also, for example, be administered to the patient, such as a cystic fibrosis patient, at a total daily dose of about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg, about 50 mg to about 100 mg.
• the total daily dose of acebilustat is 100 mg.
• the patient such as a cystic fibrosis patient, has a mild lung disease phenotype, for example, the patient has a FEV ipp greater than about 65% at baseline, greater than about 68% at baseline, greater than about 70% at baseline (the CF community standard definition of“mild” CF disease ), or greater than about 75% at baseline.
• the patient such as a cystic fibrosis patient, has a FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65% at baseline, greater than or equal to about 68% at baseline, or greater than or equal to about 70% at baseline, or greater than or equal to about 75% at baseline.
• the method comprises measuring FEVipp in a patient (at baseline or prior to initiating treatment), for example, by spirometry, and administering acebilustat (at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, as described herein) to the patient if the patient has an FEVipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 68%, or greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• the patient does not experience a pulmonary exacerbation for at least forty-eight weeks after initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the patient is a cystic fibrosis patient undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator.
• a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator.
• the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, for example, the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or a CFTR potentiator.
• the invention also includes a method of treating cystic fibrosis in a patient in need thereof and/or a method of reducing pulmonary exacerbations and/or reducing pulmonary inflammation in a cystic fibrosis patient, wherein the patient of the mild lung disease phenotype, for example, having a FEVipp greater than about 65% at baseline, the method comprising orally administering to the patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less.
• the patient of the mild lung disease phenotype can, for example, have a FEV ipp greater than about 68%, greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75% at baseline.
• the patient can, for example, have a FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to 68%, greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75% at baseline.
• the acebilustat is administered to the patient at a total daily dose of about 50 mg or less, about 50 mg to about 100 mg, about 100 mg, or about 50 mg. In specific aspects, the total daily dose of acebilustat is 100 mg.
• the cystic fibrosis patient of the mild lung disease phenotype is undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, such as a CFTR corrector, and/or a CFTR potentiator.
• the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, for example, the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, such as a CFTR corrector and/or a CFTR potentiator.
• the patient experiences a decrease in the number or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations in the twelve month period after initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the patient does not experience a pulmonary exacerbation for at least forty-eight weeks, for example, at least one year, after initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the method comprises measuring FEVipp in a patient (at baseline or prior to initiating treatment), for example by spirometry, and administering acebilustat (at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, as described herein) to the patient if the patient has an FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 68%, or greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• the invention additionally includes a method of treating cystic fibrosis in a patient in need thereof comprising orally administering to the patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, about 50 mg or less, of about 100 mg, of about 50 mg, or about 50 mg to about 100 mg, wherein pulmonary inflammation in the patient is reduced but the risk of pulmonary infection is not increased.
• the total daily dose of acebilustat administered to the cystic fibrosis patient is 100 mg.
• the patient has a mild lung disease phenotype, for example, a FEVlpp greater than about 65% at baseline, a FEV ipp greater than about 68% at baseline, a FEV ipp greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75% at baseline.
• the patient can, for example, have a FEVipp greater than or equal to about 68% at baseline, greater than or equal to about 70% at baseline, or greater than or equal to about 75% at baseline.
• the method comprises measuring FEVipp in a patient (at baseline or prior to initiating treatment), for example by spirometry, and administering acebilustat (at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, as described herein) to the patient if the patient has an FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 68%, or greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• the cystic fibrosis patient is undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator.
• the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, for example, the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or a CFTR potentiator.
• the patient experiences a decrease in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations in the twelve month period after initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the patient does not experience a pulmonary exacerbation for at least forty-eight weeks, for example, at least one year, after initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the invention further includes methods of decreasing pulmonary exacerbations, including reducing the rate (for example, number or frequency) of pulmonary exacerbations or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation, in a cystic fibrosis patient comprising orally administering to the patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, wherein the patient is the cystic fibrosis patient undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator, such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator.
• a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator.
• the patient does not experience any pulmonary exacerbations for at least one year after initiating oral administration with acebilustat.
• Acebilustat can, for example, be administered at a total daily dose of about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg, about 50 mg to about 100 mg.
• FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the mode of action of Acebilustat (CTX-4430).
• CX-4430 Acebilustat
• FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the Phase lib study design. Randomization was stratified by baseline FEV1 percent predicted (50 to 75% and >75%), number of pulmonary exacerbations in the 12 months prior to screening (1 or >1) and use of CFTR-modulating therapy such as ivacaftor or lumacaftor and ivacaftor (yes/no).
• FIGs. 3A and 3B are bar graphs showing the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) (95% confidence interval) for patients administered acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined treatment groups, or placebo (left to right), for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 3A) and per-protocol population (PP) (FIG. 3B) across all lung disease phenotypes.
• PEx annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations
• FIGs. 4A and 4B are Kaplan-Meier plots showing fraction of patients remaining exacerbation free as a function of time (as a fraction of 364) for patients administered acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined treatment groups, or placebo, for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 4A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 4B) across all lung disease phenotypes studied.
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIGs. 5A and 5B are bar graphs showing the percentage of patients treated with acebilustat or placebo that were exacerbation free over 48 weeks for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 5A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 5B) across all lung disease phenotypes.
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIGs. 6A and 6B are bar graphs showing the percentage of patients treated with 100 mg acebilustat, 50 mg acebilustat, or placebo that were exacerbation free over 48 weeks for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 6A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 6B) across all lung disease phenotypes.
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIGs. 7 A and 7B are bar graphs showing the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) (95% confidence interval) for patients treated with acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, or placebo (left to right) for patients having a mild lung disease phenotype characterized by FEVlpp greater than pooled median of 68% at baseline (FIG.
• PEx annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations
• FIGs. 8 A and 8B are bar graphs showing the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) (95% confidence interval) for patients treated with acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined, or placebo (left to right) for patients having an FEVlpp greater than 75% at baseline for the full analysis population (FIG. 8A) and per protocol population (FIG. 8B).
• FIGs. 9 A and 9B are bar graphs showing the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) (95% confidence interval) for patients treated with acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, or placebo (left to right) for patients having an FEVlpp greater than 75% at baseline (FIG. 9A) and patients having an FEVlpp less than or equal to 75% (FIG. 9B) for the full analysis population (FAP).
• PEx adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations
• FIGs. 10A and 10B are Kaplan-Meier plots showing fraction of patients remaining exacerbation free as a function of time (as a fraction of 364) for patients that had a FEVlpp > 75% at baseline and were administered acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined treatment groups, or placebo, for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 10A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 10B).
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIG. 11 is a bar graph showing the percentage of patients that had a FEVlpp > 75% at baseline treated with acebilustat or placebo that were exacerbation free over 48 weeks for the full analysis population (FAP).
• FIGs. 12A and 12B are bar graphs showing the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) (95% confidence interval) for patients on CFTR modulator therapy administered acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined treatment groups, or placebo (left to right), for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 12A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 12B).
• PEx annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations
• FIGs. 13A and 13B are Kaplan-Meier plots showing fraction of patients remaining exacerbation free as a function of time (as a fraction of 364) for patients on CFTR modulator therapy at baseline administered acebilustat at 100 mg, 50 mg, combined treatment groups, or placebo, for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 12A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 12B).
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIG. 14 is a forest plot showing the difference in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations for acebilustat treatment groups (50 mg and 100 mg combined) versus placebo for the per- protocol analysis set for patients having a FEVlpp of 50 to 75% at baseline, patients having a FEVlpp of greater than or equal to 75% at baseline, patients having one exacerbation in the year prior to screening, patients having greater than one exacerbation in the year prior to screening, patients that used CFTR-modulating therapy, patients off CFTR modulator therapy, patients that had two or fewer pulmonary exacerbations in the year prior to screening, patients that had more than one pulmonary exacerbations in the year prior to screening, patients using azithromycin, and patients not treated with azithromycin.
• FIGs. 15A and 15B are bar graphs showing the effect of acebilustat on adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbation in patients having baseline FEVlpp >70% (the CF community standard definition of“mild” CF disease; FIG. 15A) compared to patients having baseline FEVlpp >75% (the prespecified definition of“mild” CF used in the clinical study; FIG. 15B).
• FIGs. 16A and 16B are bar graphs showing the effect of acebilustat on the adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations in populations taking concomitant CFTR modulator therapy (“On”; FIG. 16 A) and not taking (“Off’; FIG. 16B) concomitant CFTR modulator therapy.
• FIGs. 17A, 17B, and 17C are bar graphs showing percentage of exacerbation-free patients (treated with acebilustat or placebo) for the 48 weeks of the treatment for the mild CF patients (FIG. 17A) and“on” or“off’ CFTR modulatory therapy (FIGs 17B and 17C, respectively).
• FIGs. 18A and 18B are bar graphs showing percentage of exacerbation-free patients treated with 100 mg acebilustat, patients treated with 50 mg acebilustat, and placebo for the 48 weeks of the treatment for patients having baseline FEVlpp> 75% for the full analysis population (FAP) (FIG. 12A) and per-protocol (PP) (FIG. 12B).
• FAP full analysis population
• PP per-protocol
• FIGs. 19A and 19B are bar graphs showing the estimated effects of acebilustat at 100 mg and CFTR modulator therapies (KALYDECO®, SYMDEKO®, and ORKAMBI®) on percent reduction in rate of pulmonary exacerbations (FIG. 19A) and percent reduction in risk of pulmonary exacerbations (FIG. 19B).
• FIG. 20 is a bar graph showing the effect of acebilustat (50 and 100 mg) on adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization in patients having baseline FEVlpp >75% for the full analysis population (FAP).
• FIG. 21 is a bar graph showing the effect of acebilustat (50 and 100 mg) on adjusted mean of annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotics in patients having baseline FEVlpp >75% for the full analysis population (FAP).
• an additional therapeutic agent encompasses both a single additional therapeutic agent and a combination of two or more additional therapeutic agents.
• a drug or active ingredient e.g., acebilustat and/or CFTR modulator, such as CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR corrector, and/or additional therapeutic agent
• a drug or active ingredient e.g., acebilustat and/or CFTR modulator, such as CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR corrector, and/or additional therapeutic agent
• the range is meant to include both, the low end and the high end as well as doses in between the low and high ends.
• the range includes the low end of the range, about 50 mg, and the high end of the range, about 100 mg, as well as the doses in between, for example, about 75 mg.
• “a dose of about 50 mg or less” is intended to include the about 50 mg dose as well as doses less than about 50 mg.
• the methods of the invention comprise administration of an effective oral dose of 4- ⁇ [(lS,4S)-5-( ⁇ 4-[4-oxazol-2-yl-phenoxy]phenyl ⁇ methyl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2. l]heptan-2- yl]methyl ⁇ benzoic acid (CTX-4430; Acebilustat) to human patients.
• CTX-4430 Acebilustat
• Acebilustat has the chemical structure shown below:
• the invention encompasses methods of reducing pulmonary exacerbations in a patient in need thereof as well as methods of treating pulmonary inflammation and/or reducing chronic lung inflammation and/or reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof, the methods comprising oral administration of about 100 mg acebilustat to said patient; for example, chronic oral administration (e.g., for a long period of time and/or throughout the patient’s treatment).
• the invention also encompasses a method of reducing pulmonary exacerbations in a patient in need thereof as well as a method of treating pulmonary inflammation and/or reducing chronic lung inflammation and/or reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof comprising chronic oral
• Acebilustat can, for example, be administered at a dose of about 50 mg every 12 or 24 hours (or once or twice a day), or at a dose of about 100 mg every 24 hours (or once a day).
• the invention additionally encompasses a method of reducing pulmonary exacerbations in a patient in need thereof as well as a method of treating pulmonary inflammation and/or reducing chronic lung inflammation and/or reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient comprising chronic oral administration of about 100 mg or less, or of about 50 mg or less, of acebilustat to said patient; for example, chronic oral administration (e.g., for a long period of time and/or throughout the patient’s treatment).
• the total daily dose of acebilustat can be a dose that is 50 mg or less, for example, about 25 mg, about 15 mg, about 10 mg, or about 5 mg.
• the total daily dose of acebilustat can also be from about 50 mg to about 100 mg, for example, about 75 mg. In certain aspects, the dose of acebilustat is about 25 mg administered twice a day or a dose between about 25 and 50 mg administered twice a day. Acebilustat can be administered with or without food.
• a major effect of acebilustat treatment is a reduction in pulmonary exacerbations or a reduction in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations, including a higher proportion of patients that were exacerbation free (or had no pulmonary exacerbations) after initiating acebilustat treatment (as compared to placebo).
• the rate or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations is decreased as compared to that before initiating acebilustat treatment.
• Pulmonary exacerbations which are a clinical marker of lung inflammation, are significant events leading to acute decompensation and chronic decline of lung function and are strongly related to reduced survival.
• the rate of pulmonary exacerbations is reduced when the number of pulmonary exacerbations in a certain period of time (for example, over forty-eight weeks or a year) is less than that for the same period of time prior to initiating the treatment and/or as compared to that without acebilustat (for example, treated with placebo or untreated group, and/or as would have been predicted from prior medical history).
• the rate of pulmonary exacerbation can, for example, be an annual rate of pulmonary exacerbations or an annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations.
• a reduction in the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations includes, for example, a reduction of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, and at least about 95%.
• the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations is reduced by at least about 15%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 25%, or at least about 30%, or at least about 35%, or at least about 40%.
• the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations can be reduced by at least about 15%, or at least about 20%, or at least about 25% as compared to that with the CFTR modulator without acebilustat.
• the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations can, for example, be reduced by at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, or at least about 50% as compared to that with the CFTR modulator without acebilustat.
• the invention encompasses methods of reducing pulmonary exacerbations, including reducing the number or frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, in a patient in need thereof.
• a patient in need of such treatment can, for example, be a patient suffering from a respiratory disease characterized by the occurrence of pulmonary exacerbations.
• Respiratory diseases include diseases associated with a pathological condition of the upper respiratory tract, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura, and/or pleural cavity.
• Non-limiting examples of respiratory diseases characterized by pulmonary exacerbations include cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease.
• COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• the patient is suffering from cystic fibrosis.
• the patient is suffering from bronchiectasis, including forms of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis such as, but not limited to, primary ciliary dyskinesia or idiopathic bronchiectasis.
• the patient is suffering from COPD.
• the patient is suffering from interstitial lung disease.
• acebilustat treatment was shown to reduce pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis patients of the mild lung disease phenotype (e.g., having an FEVipp greater than about 65% at baseline) as compared to a matched population taking placebo and as compared to that in acebilustat-treated patients with more severe lung disease.
• Patients having“mild lung disease phenotype” can also be described as being of the mild lung disease subpopulation of CF patients.
• the terms“mild lung disease phenotype,” “mild CF disease,”“mild CF,” and“mild disease” in reference to CF patients, are used interchangeably herein.
• FEVipp and“ppFEVl”, used interchangeably, refer to forced expiratory volume in one (1) second percent predicted and can be measured using spirometry.
• the severity of lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients is routinely classified according to FEVipp values. For example, in the literature, mild lung disease is classified as FEVlpp > 70%, moderate lung disease is classified as having a FEVlpp between 40 and 69%, and severe lung disease as having a FEVlpp of less than 40% (Cystic Fibrosis Patient Registry. 2016. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Available on request from
• a CF patient of the mild lung disease phenotype has a baseline FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65%.
• a patient of the mild lung disease phenotype can, for example, have a baseline FEVipp greater than or equal to about 68%, a baseline FEVipp greater than or equal to about 70%, or a baseline FEVlpp greater than or equal to about 75%. Therefore, in certain aspects, the method comprises treating a patient having a FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65% at baseline with acebilustat at a dose of about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less; for example, a daily dose of about 100 mg or a daily dose of about 50 mg.
• the patient has a baseline FEVipp greater than or equal to about 68%, greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75% at baseline.
• the patient can have a FEVipp greater than about 70%, or greater than about 75% at baseline.
• the inventive methods can also include measuring baseline FEVipp in a patient (at baseline or prior to initiating treatment), for example by spirometry, and administering acebilustat to the patient if the patient has an FEV ipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 68%, or greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• a FEVipp at baseline is the FEV ipp measured pre-treatment, for example, at a point in time prior to or shortly prior to the first administration of acebilustat, or in other words, prior to the initiation of acebilustat treatment, or is the FEVipp at the start or initiation of treatment.
• Acebilustat can be administered to a patient, such as a cystic fibrosis patient
• the standard of care for the treatment of cystic fibrosis patients includes, but is not limited to, mucolytics, antibiotics, and CFTR modulators, or a combination thereof.
• the standard of care for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes, but is not limited to, bronchodilators, beta-agonists, anticholinergics,
• glucocorticoids or a combination thereof.
• the standard of care for the treatment of interstitial lung disease includes, but is not limited to, glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil, or a combination thereof.
• the standard of care for the treatment of bronchiectasis includes, but is not limited to, bronchodilators, steroids, and antibiotics such as penicillin antibiotics and inhaled antibiotics including tobramycin and aztreonam, as well as combinations of any of thereof.
• the additional therapeutic agent(s) that can comprise a patient’s treatment regimen are discussed in more detail below.
• Acebilustat can be administered concomitantly to cystic fibrosis patients with an additional therapeutic agent including, for example, a CFTR modulator and/or a CFTR amplifier.
• CFTR modulator includes an agent or compound that modulates (for example, increases) the activity of CFTR; in certain specific aspects, the CFTR modulator increases the activity of a CFTR protein.
• the increase in activity resulting from a CFTR modulator includes, but is not limited to, compounds that correct, potentiate, stabilize and/or amplify CFTR.
• the term“CFTR modulator” as used herein includes CFTR correctors, CFTR potentiators, CFTR stabilizers, and CFTR amplifiers.
• a CFTR corrector is an agent or compound that increases the amount of functional CFTR protein to the cell surface, resulting in enhanced ion transport.
• a CFTR potentiator is an agent or compound that increases the channel activity of CFTR protein located at the cell surface, resulting in enhanced ion transport.
• a CFTR stabilizer results in an elongated presence of CFTR in the epithelial cell membrane.
• a CFTR amplifier is an agent that enhances the effect of a CFTR potentiator, corrector, and/or stabilizer.
• That acebilustat provides a benefit when used in combination with a CFTR modulator is important given the number of cystic fibrosis patients currently treated with CFTR modulators and the likelihood of an increase in number of cystic fibrosis patients who are eligible to be treated with new CFTR modulators over the coming years.
• Concomitant treatment or administration of acebilustat and a CFTR modulator is intended to mean administration of acebilustat and the additional therapeutic agent at such time that both will have a therapeutic effect and/or co administration of the agents, for example, as part of the same treatment regimen.
• Such concomitant administration can involve concurrent (i.e., at the same time), prior, or subsequent administration of acebilustat with respect to the administration of the additional therapeutic agent.
• the initiation of acebilustat treatment can be subsequent to the initiation of treatment with a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator; for example, the patient can have undergone treatment with the CFTR modulator for several weeks, months, or years, prior to initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator
• the patient can have undergone treatment with the CFTR modulator for several weeks, months, or years, prior to initiating treatment with acebilustat.
• the at least one additional therapeutic agent e.g., a CFTR potentiator and/or a CFTR corrector and/or other therapeutic agent
• the compound can be administered simultaneously with, prior to, or after
• Such combination therapy includes administration of a single pharmaceutical dosage formulation which contains the acebilustat and the one or more additional active agents, as well as administration of the acebilustat and each active agent in its own separate pharmaceutical dosage formulation.
• the acebilustat and the other therapeutic agent can be administered to the patient together in a single oral dosage composition such as a tablet or capsule, or each agent can be administered in separate oral dosage formulations.
• acebilustat and one or more additional active agents can be administered at essentially the same time, i.e., concurrently, or at separately staggered times, i.e., sequentially; and/or in the same treatment session and/or as part of the same treatment regimen; and/or daily administration of acebilustat and daily administration of the one or more additional active agents.
• Combination therapy and concomitant administration is understood to include all these regimens.
• the Phase lib study was designed in order to provide the first proof-of-concept for an anti-inflammatory therapy (acebilustat) designed to prevent or reduce progressive loss of lung function by reducing pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.
• acebilustat anti-inflammatory therapy
• the primary analysis was based upon an analysis of variance (ANOVA) in which the average of the Week 48 change from baseline in FEVipp for the two acebilustat doses was compared to that in the placebo group.
• the ANOVA model contained a separate term for each dose group with the average over the two acebilustat doses created by averaging the parameter estimates from the ANOVA model.
• the ANOVA included stratification for the factors used for randomization.
• stratified factors include baseline lung function, frequency of pulmonary exacerbations in the prior year, and concomitant CFTR modulator use.
• the analysis for difference in pulmonary exacerbations may include contrast analyses using confidence intervals, t-test of simple means, Poisson regression and, most preferably, negative binomial regression.
• CF cystic fibrosis
• CF patients who had had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the prior year the present year rate of decline is estimated to be 3.47 percentage points per year. Detection of differences in rate of FEVipp decline on the order of 3 percentage points per year requires observation over at least 48 weeks.
• the patient population for the current study was enriched based on optimal patient age, FEVipp and exacerbation history, in order to detect a change in rate of FEVi decline and change in exacerbation rate over 48 weeks in a Phase II study as compared to placebo. This population and study duration is in line with published guidance from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).
• CFF Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• patients most likely to benefit from acebilustat treatment include patients that are ⁇ 30 years old (for example, between about 12 to about 30 years old), and/or patients that had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the year prior to the first administration of acebilustat and/or patients that have a FEVipp > about 50%, as described in more detail below.
• Patients with less severe impairment of lung function or having a mild lung disease phenotype achieved the largest benefit from acebilustat therapy in the analysis of data from the combined 50 mg and 100 mg dose groups compared to placebo, achieving about 35% reduction in PEx rate (48% reduction for the 100 mg dose) versus placebo, about 43% reduction in risk of experiencing their first exacerbation (48% reduction in risk for the 100 mg dose) versus placebo and an about 96% higher proportion patients who were exacerbation free after 48 weeks of treatment (100% higher for the 100 mg dose).
• patients concomitantly treated with CFTR modulator therapy and acebilustat regardless of disease severity phenotype exhibited a clinically meaningful about 20% reduction in rate of PEx (14% reduction for the 100 mg dose), about 29% increased time to first exacerbation (27% increase for the lOOmg dose) and about 47% higher proportion of patients with no exacerbations compared to patients treated with CFTR modulators and placebo (51% higher for the lOOmg dose).
• patients off CFTR modulator therapy about 15% higher percentage of patients that were exacerbation free was observed.
• patients with an FEVlpp greater than 75 and treated concomitantly with CFTR modulator therapy exhibited a 54% decrease in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations (65% reduction for the lOOmg dose) and a 165% higher proportion of patients who were exacerbation free at 48 weeks as compared to patients that were treated with placebo instead of acebilustat.
• a pulmonary exacerbation for the purposes of the clinical trial is defined as the requirement for oral, inhaled or intravenous antibiotics for four or more signs or symptoms according to the modified Fuchs’ criteria (change in sputum; new or increased hemoptysis; increased cough; increased dyspnea; malaise, fatigue or lethargy; temperature >38°C;
• a pulmonary exacerbation can be defined according to the Fuchs criteria, the expanded Fuchs criteria, or by other criteria known in the art (including, for example, need for additional treatment as indicated by a recent change in clinical parameters) and/or according to the judgement or determination of a physician [Bilton et al.
• Pulmonary exacerbations are typically accompanied by the subsequent treatment of the CF or other respiratory disease patient with a course of antibiotics.
• the date the pulmonary exacerbation began can be defined as the first day of antibiotic use or as the date of the onset of symptoms.
• the method comprises identifying a cystic fibrosis patient that has had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the prior year (in other words, in the about twelve month period or about 52 week period prior to the initiation of treatment) and treating such a patient with acebilustat at total oral daily dose of about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the method can also include identifying a cystic fibrosis patient that has had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the prior year, and treating such a patient with acebilustat at a total oral daily dose of about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the method can include identifying a patient that has had two or more, or more than two pulmonary exacerbations in the prior year, and treating such a patient with acebilustat at a total oral daily dose of about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the method comprises identifying a cystic fibrosis patient that has had at least one pulmonary exacerbations within the past two years, within the past three years, within the past four years, or within the past five years, and treating such a patient with acebilustat at a total oral daily dose of about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the methods include identifying a cystic fibrosis patient that has had at least one pulmonary exacerbation, two or more pulmonary exacerbations, or more than two pulmonary exacerbations, within the prior year, the past two years, within the past three years, within the past four years, or within the past five years, and treating such a patient with acebilustat at a total oral daily dose of about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg.
• the Phase 2b study includes stratification based on concomitant CFTR modulator use. This is important since about half of cystic fibrosis patients in the U.S. are currently treated with CFTR modulators. Stratification based on concomitant CFTR modulator use was also considered important as neutrophil elastase is shown to downregulate CFTR [Le Gars el al. , 2013]; and it was believed that acebilustat, which has been shown to reduce neutrophil elastase [Elbom et al. , 2017], may have synergistic effects with CFTR modulators, including CFTR potentiators and/or CFTR correctors.
• the methods include orally administering to a cystic fibrosis patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, of about 50 mg or less, or from about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or a total daily dose of about 100 mg, or a total daily dose of about 50 mg.
• the patient treated with acebilustat can be undergoing concomitant CFTR modulator therapy (regardless of lung disease phenotype) wherein a therapeutically effective amount of a CFTR potentiator and/or a CFTR corrector is concomitantly administered to said patient.
• a preferred CFTR potentiator is ivacaftor (KALYDECO®).
• Preferred CFTR correctors are lumacaftor and tezacaftor.
• one CFTR potentiator and at least one CFTR corrector are administered.
• a combination including ivacaftor can be administered; for example, a combination of ivacaftor and lumacaftor, preferably ORKAMBI® (lumacaftor/ivacaftor) is administered.
• the method includes administering at least two CFTR correctors, or at least one CFTR corrector and at least one CFTR potentiator.
• a combination of ivacaftor and lumacaftor preferably ORKAMBI®
• acebilustat can, for example, be administered at a dose of about 50 mg every 12 or 24 hours (or once or twice a day), or at a dose of about 100 mg every 24 hours (or once a day). Acebilustat can also be administered at a total daily dose of 50 mg or less, wherein acebilustat is administered once or multiple times a day.
• an exemplary oral dose is 150 mg every 12 hours (or twice a day) and/or at a total daily dose of about 300 mg.
• an exemplary oral dose of ivacaftor is 50 mg or 75 mg twice a day.
• the total daily dose of lumacaftor administered is about 800 mg and the total daily dose of ivacaftor administered is about 500 mg for patients aged 12 years and over.
• the total daily dose of lumacaftor administered is 400 mg and the total daily dose of ivacaftor administered is about 500 mg.
• Certain triple combination regimens comprising ivacaftor, such as ivacaftor, tezacaftor, and another corrector have also been described for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
• the invention encompasses administration of acebilustat, as described herein, in combination with a triple combination regimen; optionally, wherein the triple combination regimen comprises ivacaftor.
• the invention is directed to a method comprising administering acebilustat and a triple combination regimen, for example, such a triple combination can include tezacaftor plus ivacaftor and one of the following: VX-445, VX-659, VX-440 or VX-152.
• a triple combination can include tezacaftor plus ivacaftor and one of the following: VX-445, VX-659, VX-440 or VX-152.
• the triple combination can be comprised of other CFTR modulators.
• the combination may be comprised of four or more such CFTR modulators.
• Cystic fibrosis is caused by loss-of-function mutation(s) in the cystic fibrosis membrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene.
• CFTR cystic fibrosis membrane conductance regulator
• F508del deletion of phenylalanine at position 508
• Class II mutation in which the CFTR protein does not reach the cell surface due to misfolding.
• a person can have a F508del mutation on one allele and other mutation on the other allele (heterozygous), or on both alleles (homozygous).
• Other mutations include Class III mutations, such as G551D and S549N, where CFTR reaches the cell surface but the channel has compromised function.
• the patient to be treated according to the described methods can, for example, have a F508del mutation (either heterozygous or homozygous), and/or have a CFTR functional mutation (Classes III-VI or III to VI, depending on the classification system used), or have a non- F508del mutation.
• Exemplary mutations in addition to F508del are E56K, P67L, R74W, D110E, D110H, R117C, R117H, E193K, L206W, R347H, R352Q, A455E, D579G, S945L, S977F, F1052V, K1060T, A1067T, G1069R, R1070Q, R1070W, F1074L, D1152H,
• CFTR correctors increase the amount of functional CFTR protein at the cell surface, resulting in enhanced ion transport.
• CFTR potentiators are compounds that increase the channel activity of the CFTR on the cell surface (for example, in patients with a gating mutation).
• CFTR correctors for example, can target patients with the F508del mutation.
• the method of treatment can include treating patients with a F508del mutation and treating patients with a non-F508del patient.
• the invention is directed to a method of treating cystic fibrosis or a method of reducing pulmonary inflammation or a method of treating chronic lung inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient acebilustat at a total daily dose of about 100 mg or less, or about 50 mg or less, or from about 50 mg to about 100 mg, or about 100 mg, or about 50 mg, wherein said patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector/and or CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR amplifier.
• a CFTR modulator such as a CFTR corrector/and or CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR amplifier.
• Such patients include, but are not limited to, patients of the mild lung disease phenotype as described herein.
• the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with a CFTR corrector. In additional aspects, the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment a CFTR potentiator. In yet additional aspects, the patient is not undergoing concomitant treatment with either a CFTR corrector or a CFTR potentiator, or a combination thereof.
• the total daily dose of acebilustat administered to the cystic fibrosis patient not undergoing treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator is about 50 mg. In additional aspects, the total daily dose of acebilustat administered to the cystic fibrosis patient not undergoing treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator is about 100 mg.
• the total daily dose of acebilustat administered to the cystic fibrosis patient not undergoing treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator is about 50 mg or less. In further aspects, the total daily dose of acebilustat administered to the cystic fibrosis patient not undergoing treatment with a CFTR corrector and/or CFTR potentiator is about 100 mg or less.
• the methods comprise administering acebilustat to a cystic fibrosis patient, wherein the patient is 30 years old or younger.
• the patient is two years or older, six years or older, 12 years and older, 18 years and older, about six to 12 years old, about 12 to about 30 years old, or about 18 to about 30 years old.
• the patient is greater than 30 years old.
• the patient is 18 years or older.
• the invention encompasses methods of reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of acebilustat as described herein, wherein the patient is greater than 6 years older, two years or older, six years or older, 12 years or older, 18 years or older, 30 years or older, between about 6 years and 12 years old, between about 6 years old and about 30 years old, between about l2and about 30 years old, or between about 18 and about 30 years and has had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the year prior to the first administration of acebilustat.
• the invention additionally encompasses methods of treating cystic fibrosis, reducing pulmonary inflammation, and/or treating chronic lung inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of acebilustat as described herein, wherein the patient is six years or older, two years or older, six years or older, 12 years or older, 18 years or older, 30 years or older, between about 6 years and 12 years old, between about 12 to about 30 years old, or between about 18 and about 30 years and has had two or fewer pulmonary exacerbations in the year prior to the first administration of acebilustat.
• the patient is about six years old or older, two years or older, six years or older, 12 years or older, 18 years or older, 30 years or older, between about 6 years and 12 years old, between about 12 and about 30 years old, or between about 18 and about 30 years old and has a FEVipp greater than or equal to about 65%, greater than or equal to about 68%, greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• the invention also encompasses methods of reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary exacerbations in a cystic fibrosis patient in need thereof comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of acebilustat, wherein the patient is 30 years old or older and has had at least one pulmonary exacerbation in the year prior to the first administration of acebilustat. In certain aspects, the patient is 30 years old or older and has had two or fewer pulmonary exacerbations in the year prior to the first administration of acebilustat.
• the patient is 30 years old or older and has a FEV ipp greater than about 65%, greater than to about 68%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 75%, greater than or equal to 65%, greater than or equal to 68%, greater than or equal to about 70%, or greater than or equal to about 75%.
• the methods described herein are useful for treating chronic lung inflammation and/or reducing pulmonary inflammation in a cystic fibrosis patient.
• chronic lung inflammation is treated and/or pulmonary inflammation is reduced when there is a decrease in the number of pulmonary exacerbations and/or attenuation in the rate of lung function decline.
• the decrease in pulmonary exacerbations can also be a decrease in the annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations.
• the number of pulmonary exacerbations experienced by the CF or other respiratory disease patient in the six (6), twelve (12), twenty-four (24), thirty-six (36), or forty-eight (48) month period after initiating the treatment can be decreased as compared to that in the six, twelve, twenty -four, thirty-six, or forty-eight month period, respectively, prior to initiating the treatment.
• the CF or other respiratory disease patient is exacerbation free for the six (6), twelve (12), twenty-four (24), thirty-six (36), or forty-eight (48) month period after initiating the treatment (comprising acebilustat).
• the CF patient is exacerbation free for the six (6), twelve (12), twenty-four (24), thirty-six (36), or forty-eight (48) month period after initiating the treatment
• chronic lung inflammation is treated and/or pulmonary inflammation is reduced when the rate of lung function decline is attenuated after initiating the treatment (comprising acebilustat) as compared to that prior to initiating the treatment.
• the acebilustat treatment is“initiated” at the time the first dose of acebilustat is administered; thus, for example, the six month period after initiating the treatment is the six month period from the day or date the first dose of acebilustat is administered and the six month period prior to initiating the treatment is the six month period prior to the day or date the first dose of acebilustat is administered.
• a "therapeutically effective amount” or an“effective amount” refers to that amount of a compound or drug that, when administered to a mammal, preferably a human, is sufficient to effect treatment, as defined below, of a disease or condition of interest in the mammal, preferably a human.
• the amount of a compound of the invention which constitutes a "therapeutically effective amount” or an“effective amount” will vary depending on, for example, the activity of the specific compound employed; the metabolic stability and length of action of the compound; the age, body weight, general health, sex, and diet of the patient; the mode and time of administration; the rate of excretion; the drug combination; the severity of the particular disorder or condition; and the subject undergoing therapy, but it can be determined routinely by one of ordinary skill in the art having regard to his own knowledge and to this disclosure.
• Treating” or “treatment” covers the treatment of the disease or condition of interest in a mammal, preferably a human, having the disease or condition of interest, and includes, for example: (i) inhibiting or decreasing the severity of the disease or condition, or one or more symptoms thereof, i.e., arresting or slowing development or progression of the disease or condition, and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms; (ii) relieving the disease or condition, i.e., causing regression of the disease or condition, or one more symptoms thereof; and/ or (iii) stabilizing the disease or condition.
• treating or“treatment” in the context of cystic fibrosis can include treating chronic lung inflammation and/or decreasing pulmonary inflammation such as by reducing pulmonary exacerbations (for example, reducing the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbation or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation), attenuating the decline in lung function, increasing lung function, reducing inflammation (including reducing neutrophil-induced inflammation), reducing neutrophil influx, increasing FEVipp, and/or slowing the decrease in FEV ipp, or a combination thereof, as described herein.
• reducing pulmonary exacerbations for example, reducing the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbation or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation
• attenuating the decline in lung function increasing lung function
• reducing inflammation including reducing neutrophil-induced inflammation
• reducing neutrophil influx increasing FEVipp
• slowing the decrease in FEV ipp or a combination thereof, as described herein.
• “treating” or “treatment” can include reducing pulmonary exacerbations (for example, reducing the rate, number, or frequency of pulmonary exacerbation or increasing the time to first pulmonary exacerbation).
• the terms “disease” and “condition” may be used interchangeably or may be different in that the particular malady or condition may not have a known causative agent (so that etiology has not yet been worked out) and it is therefore not yet recognized as a disease but only as an undesirable condition or syndrome, wherein a more or less specific set of symptoms have been identified by clinicians.
• a “pharmaceutical composition” refers to a formulation of a compound described herein, for example, acebilustat and/or a CFTR modulator, and a medium generally accepted in the art for the delivery of the biologically active compound to mammals, for example, humans. Such a medium includes all pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients. "Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event of circumstances may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.
• “Pharmaceutically acceptable excipient” includes without limitation any adjuvant, carrier, excipient, glidant, sweetening agent, diluent, preservative, dye/colorant, flavor enhancer, surfactant, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, stabilizer, isotonic agent, solvent, or emulsifier which, for example, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as being acceptable for use in humans or domestic animals.
• Administration of the compounds or drugs described herein encompasses administration of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or drug, for example, administration of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of acebilustat or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a CFTR modulator.
• Administration of the compounds or drugs as described herein (such as acebilustat, a CFTR modulator or other additional therapeutic agent), or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, in pure form or in an appropriate pharmaceutical composition can be carried out via any of the accepted modes of administration of agents for serving similar utilities.
• the preferred mode of administration for acebilustat is oral administration.
• compositions described herein can be prepared by combining a compound or drug with an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient, and may be formulated into preparations in solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous forms, such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, solutions, suppositories, injections, inhalants, gels, microspheres, and aerosols.
• Typical routes of administering such pharmaceutical compositions include, without limitation, oral, topical, transdermal, inhalation, parenteral, sublingual, rectal, vaginal, and intranasal.
• parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intrastemal injection or infusion techniques.
• compositions of the invention are formulated so as to allow the active ingredients contained therein to be bioavailable upon administration of the composition to a patient.
• Compositions that will be administered to a subject or patient take the form of one or more dosage units, where for example, a tablet may be a single dosage unit, and a container of a compound of the invention in aerosol form may hold a plurality of dosage units.
• Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20 th Edition (Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, 2000).
• the composition to be administered will, in any event, contain a therapeutically effective amount of the compound or drug, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for treatment of a disease or condition of interest in accordance with the teachings of this invention.
• a pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a solid or liquid.
• the carrier(s) are particulate, so that the compositions are, for example, in tablet or powder form.
• the composition can be an encapsulated powder or granular form.
• an encapsulated powder or granular formulation can be opened and sprinkled in food or administered by gastric intubation.
• the carrier(s) can be liquid, with the compositions being, for example, an oral syrup, injectable liquid or an aerosol, which is useful in, for example, inhalatory administration.
• the pharmaceutical composition can be in either solid or liquid form, where semi-solid, semi- liquid, suspension and gel forms are included within the forms considered herein as either solid or liquid.
• the pharmaceutical composition may be formulated into a powder, granule, compressed tablet, pill, capsule, chewing gum, wafer or the like form.
• a solid composition will typically contain one or more inert diluents or edible carriers.
• binders such as carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, gum tragacanth or gelatin; excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, Primogel, com starch and the like; lubricants such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex; glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide; sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, methyl salicylate or orange flavoring; and a coloring agent.
• excipients such as starch, lactose or dextrins, disintegrating agents such as alginic acid, sodium alginate, Primogel, com starch and the like
• lubricants such as magnesium stearate or Sterotex
• glidants such as colloidal silicon dioxide
• sweetening agents such as sucrose or saccharin
• a flavoring agent such as peppermint,
• the pharmaceutical composition when in the form of a capsule, for example, a gelatin capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or oil.
• a liquid carrier such as polyethylene glycol or oil.
• the pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a liquid, for example, an elixir, syrup, solution, emulsion or suspension.
• the liquid can be for oral administration or for delivery by injection, as two examples.
• a composition can contain, in addition to the present compounds, one or more of a sweetening agent, preservatives, dye/colorant and flavor enhancer.
• a surfactant, preservative, wetting agent, dispersing agent, suspending agent, buffer, stabilizer and isotonic agent may be included.
• the liquid pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can include one or more of the following adjuvants: sterile diluents such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride or physiological saline, fixed oils such as synthetic mono or diglycerides which may serve as the solvent or suspending medium, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, propylene glycol or other solvents; antibacterial agents such as benzyl alcohol or methyl paraben; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as acetates, citrates or phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose.
• the parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic.
• Physiological saline is a preferred
• composition is preferably sterile.
• the invention includes methods wherein acebilustat is administered with an additional therapeutic agent, for example, that is part of the standard of care for the respiratory disease suffered by the patient, including, for example, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, and interstitial lung disease.
• the invention specifically encompasses methods wherein acebilustat is administered with an additional therapeutic agent (for example, that is part of the standard of care for cystic fibrosis), or the combination of acebilustat and a CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR corrector is co-administered with an additional therapeutic agent.
• the additional therapeutic agent can, for example, be a drug used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis can include, but is not limited to, a bronchodilator, an antibiotic, a mucolytic, a surfactant, a pancreatic enzyme replacement drug, a CFTR modulator, or a combination thereof.
• the invention encompasses methods wherein acebilustat or the combination of acebilustat and a CFTR modulator such as CFTR potentiator and/or CFTR corrector is combined with an airway clearance technique.
• airway clearance techniques include coughing or huffing and can include percussion
• acebilustat or the combination acebilustat and a CFTR modulator is combined with gene therapy (including the administration of agents used for gene therapy, such as, retroviral vectors or genome editing reagents) and gene editing techniques such as those which use the CRISPR/Cas9 system.
• the additional therapeutic agent used in the treatment of CF or other respiratory disease is a beta-agonist.
• beta-agonists are albuterol, salbutamol, levalbuterol, formoterol, fenoterol, salmeterol, bambuterol, brocaterol, clenbuterol, terbutalin, tulobuterol, epinephrin, isoprenalin, and hexoprenalin.
• the yet additional therapeutic agent is an anticholinergic agent.
• Exemplary anticholinergics are tiotropium, oxitropium, ipratropium, and glycopyrrolate.
• the additional therapeutic agent is a mucolytic and/or a surfactant.
• mucolytics and surfactants are saline, acetylcystein, ambroxol, carbocystein, tyloxapol,
• the yet additional therapeutic agent is an antibiotic agent.
• antibiotics are beta-lactam antibiotics, including amoxycillin, piperacillin, cephalosporines, including cefaclor, cefazedon, cefuroxim, cefoxitin, cefodizim, cefsulodin, cefpodixim, and cefixim, carbapenemes such as imipenem and cilastatin, monbactames, such as, aztrenonam, aminoglycosides, including streptomycin, neomycin, paromomycin, kanamycin, gentamycin, amicacin, tobramycin, and spectinomycine, tetracyclines, such as doxycycbn and minocycline, macrolides including erythromycine, clarithromycine, roxithromycine, azi
• the additional therapeutic agent is an anti-inflammatory drug.
• anti-inflammatory drugs include ibuprofen, domase alfa, BIIL 284, ajulemic acid, a PDE4 inhibitor (e.g., roflumilast), romoglycate and nedocromil.
• the additional therapeutic agent is azithromycin.
• acebilustat is co-administered with a corticosteroid.
• exemplary corticosteroids are beclomethasone, betamethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, icomethasone, mometasone, rofleponide, and triamcinolone.
• the additional therapeutic agent is bradykinin, prostaglandin, leukotriene and platelet activating factor antagonists.
• the invention encompasses administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents, or a combination thereof concomitantly with acebilustat.
• the invention encompasses administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents, or a combination thereof concomitantly with acebilustat to a cystic fibrosis patient.
• Example 1 EMPIRE-CF: A Phase II randomized placebo-controlled trial of once-daily, oral acebilustat in adult patients with cvstic fibrosis - study design patient demographics and results
• Acebilustat is a novel, synthetic, small-molecule leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitor in development as a once-daily oral therapy that modulates LTB4 production and targets the inflammatory process in CF [Elbom et al, 20l7a]
• acebilustat reduced LTB4 production and other inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers and patients with CF [Elbom et al. , 20l7a, Elbom et al. , 20l7b]
• EMPIRE CF evaluation of the modulation of the pulmonary inflammatory response in CF was designed and completed to determine the dose, duration and endpoints for future clinical trial(s).
• the study was the first proof-of-concept for a novel anti-inflammatory therapy designed to show prevention of progressive loss of lung function and/or reduction of pulmonary exacerbations in CF patients. Described below is the study design, rationale, and results. The demographics of the study population are also presented, and their importance to the study outcomes is discussed.
• LTA4H leukotriene A4 hydrolase
• EMPIRE-CF was a Phase II multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled, parallel-group study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acebilustat in adult patients with CF (NCT02443688). The study consisted of a 48-week treatment period and follow-up visit 4 weeks after treatment completion. Screening visits occurred up to 21 days prior to the first study drug dose (FIG. 2).
• the primary endpoints were absolute change from baseline in FEV ipp and safety outcomes. Secondary endpoints included rate of pulmonary exacerbations and time to first pulmonary exacerbation, and the effects on biomarkers of lung and systemic inflammation. Analyses are described in section entitled“Analysis.”
• Pulmonary exacerbations were defined as the requirement for oral, inhaled or intravenous antibiotics for four or more signs or symptoms according to the modified Fuch’s criteria (change in sputum; new or increased hemoptysis; increased cough; increased dyspnea; malaise, fatigue or lethargy; temperature >38°C; anorexia or weight loss; sinus pain or tenderness; change in sinus discharge; change in physical examination of the chest; >10% absolute decrease in FEVipp from the previously recorded value; radiographic changes indicative of pulmonary infection) [Fuchs et al, 1994], referred collectively (antibiotics plus the four or more signs and symptoms) as expanded Fuchs criteria. The date the pulmonary exacerbation began was defined as the first day of antibiotic use.
• CFTR modulators such as ivacaftor or lumacaftor, use of domase alfa and chronic azithromycin
• history of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and CFTR genotype were recorded.
• the number of pulmonary exacerbations in the last 12 months and the date of last pulmonary exacerbation were also recorded at screening.
• Treatment-emergent adverse events including serious adverse events, were collected at each visit, and summarized by MEDRA system organ class and preferred term, severity, and relatedness to the study drug.
• An independent data monitoring committee monitored the safety and study conduct at approximately 8-week intervals.
• Sample size calculations were based on the primary efficacy endpoint of an absolute change from baseline in FEV ipp. Assumptions in the calculation are that: there is a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio of patients receiving 50 mg acebilustat vs 100 mg acebilustat vs placebo; the difference in average treatment effect for active treatment (both doses of acebilustat) vs placebo is at least 3.5 units at 48 weeks. With a standard deviation of 7 units the study had a power of at least 90% with one-sided alpha of 0.05 to detect the difference in average treatment effect (change from baseline in FEVipp) for active treatment (both doses of acebilustat) vs placebo of 3.5 units at 48 weeks.
• Eligible patients were randomized to active treatment by an interactive web-based randomization system (IWRS). Randomization was stratified by baseline FEVipp (50 to 75% and >75%), number of pulmonary exacerbations in the 12 months before screening (1 or >1) and use of CFTR-modulating therapy ivacaftor or ivacaftor+lumacaftor (yes/no). All patients, investigators and others in direct contact with patients were blinded to treatment assignment as were the sponsor and contract research organization staff. Analysis
• the primary analysis was based upon an analysis of variance (ANOVA) in which the average of the Week 48 change from baseline in FEVipp for the two acebilustat doses was compared to that in the placebo group.
• the ANOVA model contained a separate term for each dose group with the average over the two acebilustat doses created by averaging the parameter estimates from the ANOVA model.
• the ANOVA included stratification for the factors used for randomization. If the primary analysis (aggregate acebilustat effect) reached the 0.05 level of significance (one-sided), the individual acebilustat doses would be compared to the placebo arm using Dunnetf s procedure at the 0.05 (two-sided) alpha level.
• Pulmonary exacerbations were analyzed both as the time to first pulmonary exacerbation and the rate of pulmonary exacerbations.
• the time to first protocol defined- pulmonary exacerbation were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model.
• the number of protocol-defined pulmonary exacerbations reported through the Week 48/Early
• Termination visit were annualized (where a year was defined as 52 weeks) analyzed using a negative binomial regression.
• the two active doses were compared to placebo individually as well as pooled together using a contrast statement similar to that used for the primary analysis.
• Point estimates, standard errors, and 95% CIs for the mean of number of pulmonary exacerbations were presented.
• the difference in means between each CTX-4430 group from placebo were presented along with standard errors and 95% CIs.
• Spirometry-based endpoints were analyzed using the same methods as the primary endpoint. Analyses of sputum DNA and elastase and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were based upon descriptive statistics by treatment group.
• Staphylococcus aureus [including methicillin-resistant S. aureus and small colony variants of S. aureus )] and health-related quality of life (using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised (CFQ-R) quality-of-life measure [Quittner el al, 2000]) were based upon descriptive statistics by treatment group.
• Baseline characteristics including methicillin-resistant S. aureus and small colony variants of S. aureus )
• CQ-R Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised
• cystic fibrosis (CF) patients were enrolled into one of three treatment arms: placebo, 50 mg acebilustat, or 100 mg acebilustat (FIG. 2).
• the patients were pre-stratified across the treatment arms by three criteria: baseline lung function (as measured by FEV1 percent predicted, FEVlpp), the number of pulmonary exacerbations in the year prior to enrollment, and the use of concomitant treatment with CFTR modulator therapies.
• Enrolled patients were followed through 48 weeks of treatment and an additional 4 weeks post-treatment.
• patients were monitored for changes in lung function and occurrence of pulmonary exacerbations in order to assess treatment effects.
• Pulmonary exacerbations were an important secondary endpoint, since anti inflammatory therapies are expected to demonstrate benefit in pulmonary exacerbations as compared to changes in spirometry, although this Phase 2 study was not powered to detect statistically significant changes in pulmonary exacerbations.
• the annual rate of pulmonary exacerbations was calculated by standard methods for each treatment group. Two main overall populations were examined: a Full Analysis Population (FAP), which consisted of any patient taking at least one dose of treatment, and a Per Protocol Population (PP), which consisted of patients meeting all inclusion/exclusion criteria and compliant with at least 80% of their treatment regimen and who also had an assessment at week 48.
• FAP Full Analysis Population
• PP Per Protocol Population
• the adjusted mean (95% Cl) annualized pulmonary exacerbation rates based on the negative binomial regression model were 1.51 (1.26, 1.81) in the combined acebilustat groups, 1.57 (1.22, 2.02) in the 100 mg dose group and 1.46 (1.13, 1.89) in the 50 mg dose group), and 1.56 (1.21, 2.01) in the placebo group (FIG. 3A).
• the time to first pulmonary exacerbation was numerically greater in patients receiving acebilustat (combined and individual dose groups) versus placebo.
• the hazard ratios versus placebo (95% Cl) were 0.87 (0.605, 1.246) in the acebilustat combined group, 0.88 (0.576, 1.339) in the acebilustat 100 mg group, and 0.86 (0.563, 1.308) in the acebilustat 50 mg group (FIG. 4A).
• the proportion of patients who did not experience a pulmonary exacerbation during the study period was also numerically greater in the acebilustat groups (51 of 133 patients [38%] in the combined acebilustat dose group, 25 of 66 patients [38%] in the 100 mg dose group, and 26 of 67 patients [39%] in the 50 mg group) than in the placebo group (20 of 66 patients [30%]) (FIG.
• Kaplan-Meier analysis was conducted based on the fraction of patients remaining exacerbation free as a function of time (FIGs. 4A and 4B).
• the curves for the treated groups diverged from the placebo curve indicating an increased time to first exacerbation for both dose groups in both the FAP and PP (FIGs. 4A and 4B, respectively).
• the hazard ratios for risk of exacerbation indicate a treatment effect for both acebilustat dose groups in reduced risk of exacerbation compared to placebo.
• the number of patients who did not experience a pulmonary exacerbation over the course of the 48 weeks of treatment was determined for each treatment group. This analysis indicates a larger proportion of patients treated with acebilustat remained exacerbation-free in both the FAP (FIG. 5A and 6A) and PP (FIGs. 5B and 6B).
• CF patients in the study were grouped according to their baseline lung function being above or below the median FEVlpp for the entire study population, which was found to be 68%. Patients with milder lung disease, those with baseline FEVlpp higher than the median (>68%), were found to respond to acebilustat treatment as evidenced by a lower annual rate of pulmonary exacerbations versus placebo
• CF patients in the study were grouped according to their baseline lung function (FEVlpp 50-75, or >75%). Patients with milder lung disease (baseline FEVlpp >75%), were found to respond to acebilustat treatment as evidenced by a lower annual rate of pulmonary exacerbations in both the FAP and PP (FIGs. 8A and 8B, respectively). Specifically, the mean annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbation in patients with baseline FEVlpp > 75% was lower by about 35% in the combined acebilustat dose groups versus placebo; this difference was greater than in the overall study population.
• the adjusted mean (95% Cl) annualized rate of pulmonary exacerbations in this pre-specified FAP population was 1.04 (0.74, 1.46) in the combined acebilustat groups, 0.84 (0.49, 1.44) in the 100 mg dose group, and 1.28 (0.84, 1.96) in the 50 mg dose group versus 1.61 (1.07,
• Kaplan-Meier analysis of the population of CF patients with baseline FEVlpp >75% indicated a prolonged time to first exacerbation and a reduced hazard ratio for risk of exacerbation compared to placebo for both acebilustat dose groups in both FAP and PP (FIGs. 10A and 10B, respectively).
• more patients treated with acebilustat in the group having baseline FEVlpp >75% remained free from pulmonary exacerbation during the
• FIGs. 15A and 15B show the effect of acebilustat on pulmonary exacerbation rate in patients having baseline FEVlpp >70, which is the CF community standard definition of “mild” CF disease, compared to patients having baseline FEVlpp >75 (the prespecified definition of“mild” CF used in the clinical study).
• acebilustat demonstrates a substantial reduction in pulmonary exacerbations in both groups with varying definitions of“mild” CF disease.
• acebilustat in reducing pulmonary exacerbations is greatest in CF patients with the higher FEVlpp at baseline (“mild CF disease”).
• Table 1 shows that both the 50 mg and 100 mg doses showed therapeutic benefit in patients with a baseline FEVlpp of 65% or greater, with the greatest benefit seen at baseline ppFEVl above 70%.
• the 100 mg dose of acebilustat also showed therapeutic benefit at baseline FEVlpp of greater than 60%.
• the terms“FEVlpp” and“ppFEVl” are used interchangeably.
• acebilustat treated patients had a lower pulmonary exacerbation rate in CF patients with mild disease (FEVlpp > 75) whether taking (“on”) or not taking (“off’) concomitant CFTR modulator therapy.
• FEVlpp > 75 pulmonary exacerbation rate in CF patients with mild disease
• the greatest effect of acebilustat on pulmonary exacerbations in the entire study was observed in patients with mild disease concomitantly treated with CFTR modulator therapies (FIG. 16A), suggesting the potential for mechanistic synergy.
• the corresponding placebo groups were matched with the acebilustat treatment groups in regard to CFTR modulator use, i.e., for the patients“on” CFTR modulator, patients taking acebilustat plus CFTR modulator were compared to those taking CFTR modulator alone.
• acebilustat treated patients had a higher proportion (versus placebo) of patients free from pulmonary exacerbations during the course of the 48 weeks of treatment in the total study population (FIG. 17 A) as well as in mild CF patients whether taking (“on”) (FIG. 17B) or not taking (“off’) (FIG. 17C) concomitant CFTR modulator therapy.
• FIG. 17B the effect of acebilustat in increasing the percentage of exacerbation-free patients was greatest in patients taking concomitant CFTR modulator therapy (see FIG. 17B).
• FIG. 18A and 18B shows that both the 100 mg and 50 mg dose of acebilustat had a higher percentage of exacerbation-free patients in the mild (FEVlpp>75%) subgroup.
• FIGs. 20 and 21 show that the 100 mg dose of acebilustat had a lower rate of pulmonary exacerbations requiring hospitalization and a lower the rate of pulmonary exacerbations requiring intravenous antibiotics as compared to placebo.
• FIGs. 19A and 19B show the effect acebilustat (100 mg in the mild population) and CFTR modulator therapies (KALYDECO®, SYMDEKO®, and ORKAMBI®) on percent differences from placebo in rate of pulmonary exacerbations and risk of pulmonary exacerbations, respectively.
• CFTR modulator therapies KLYDECO®, SYMDEKO®, and ORKAMBI®
• FIGs. 19A and 19B show the effect acebilustat (100 mg in the mild population) and CFTR modulator therapies (KALYDECO®, SYMDEKO®, and ORKAMBI®) on percent differences from placebo in rate of pulmonary exacerbations and risk of pulmonary exacerbations, respectively.
• These figures show that the magnitude of effect of acebilustat (100 mg dose) in the mild CF population in terms of benefit in both annual rate and risk of pulmonary exacerbations was similar or better than that observed for recently approved CFTR modulator therapies (at approved dose
• acebilustat is a reduction in the rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) and reduced risk of progression to pulmonary exacerbations.
• PEx pulmonary exacerbations
• acebilustat demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements m pulmonary' exacerbations, both reducing the frequency of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) and increasing time to next exacerbation over 48 weeks of therapy.
• the benefit, when used in combination with a CFTR modulator, is an important consideration given the likelihood of an increase in number of CF patients who are eligible to be treated with CFTR modulators over the coming years. This addresses the unmet need to reduce lung inflammation, that persists despite CFTR modulator therapy, adequately for the optimal treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis.
• Acebilustat-treated patients exhibited an 18% reduction in PEx and a 22% reduced risk in progressing to first PEx versus placebo. Additionally, compared with placebo, 32% more patients treated with acebilustat had no PEx during the study.
• the benefits of acebilustat on pulmonary exacerbations were apparent as early as four months after start of treatment and persisted throughout the 48 weeks of the study.
• FEVlpp FEV1 percent predicted
• FEVlpp had wide variability and was not predictive of decreased pulmonary exacerbation (PEx responders). This study provides evidence that decrease in pulmonary exacerbations is a better outcome measurement from anti-inflammatory therapy than FEVlpp.
• the LTA4 inhibitor acebilustat is in development as an anti-inflammatory therapy in CF and has shown promising results in Phase I studies.
• the drug significantly reduced sputum neutrophil levels by up to 65% and sputum elastase levels by up to 58%.
• Numerical reductions in C-reactive protein were observed in the acebilustat treated groups [Elbom et al, 20l7a]
• Sputum LTB4 levels decreased significantly in acebilustat- vs placebo-treated patients [Elbom et al, 20l7b]
• acebilustat was well tolerated in these trials.
• the majority of treatment- emergent adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in severity and no drug-related serious AEs occurred in these studies [Elbom et al. , 2017a, b].
• a l2-month study may be preferred.
• the current study had a 48-week treatment period. Enrolling the most appropriate patient phenotype is key to assessing clinical outcomes in a trial for a novel potential therapy.
• Patients for EMPIRE-CF were selected based on stringent inclusion criteria (age 18-30 years, FEVipp >50, and at least one exacerbation in the past year). This enriched the study population with patients who are most susceptible to pulmonary exacerbations and annual lung function decline. The enrolled patients experienced a mean of 2.1 exacerbations in the prior year.
• Ensuring treatment arms were well balanced with respect to patient characteristics would help identify any specific patient groups that are more likely to benefit from acebilustat and who could be included in future clinical trials. Randomization was, therefore, stratified by baseline FEVipp, number of pulmonary exacerbations in the prior 12 months, and use of CFTR-modulating therapy. Stratification based on concomitant CFTR modulator use is important as neutrophil elastase is shown to downregulate CFTR [Le Gars, et al. 2013]; an anti-inflammatory agent, such as acebilustat, that reduces neutrophil elastase could have synergistic effects with CFTR modulators.
• CFTR modulators have been shown to reduce the rate of lung function decline, they have not consistently shown an impact on markers of airway inflammation, and patients receiving CFTR modulator treatment still experience exacerbations and progressive loss of lung function [Sawicki et al. 2015; Konstan et al. 2017; Hisert et al. 2017; Rowe et al. 2014]
• Our study findings suggest that the addition of acebilustat to CFTR modulator therapy may further reduce pulmonary exacerbations and potentially further reduce long-term loss of lung function. Trials of longer duration are needed to detect the effect of combination treatment on the trajectory of lung function decline.
• acebilustat acts to reduce LTEk synthesis by inhibiting the LTA4H enzyme, it is likely to downregulate signaling through the BLT1 receptor rather than block signaling. This is reflected in the acceptable safety profile observed for acebilustat in this study where acebilustat was safe and well tolerated in patients with CF. Most AEs were either mild or moderate in intensity and considered by the investigator to be unrelated or unlikely to be related to study drug. There were few discontinuations due to AEs.
• Neutrophil elastase is a key marker of inflammation associated with lung function decline in patients with CF [Mayer et al. (2007)].
• sputum levels of neutrophil elastase, as well as sputum neutrophil DNA and serum high-sensitivity C- reactive protein were reduced with acebilustat treatment compared with placebo [Elbom et al. (2017)].
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein a marker of systemic inflammation, may have been impacted by intercurrent illnesses in this study where patients, though stable at randomization, had pulmonary exacerbations throughout the trial increasing variance and adversely influencing detection of stable changes between groups.
• acebilustat is the first novel anti-inflammatory molecule to
• Acebilustat treatment had a significant effect on reducing the rate of pulmonary exacerbation and this effect was most notable in patients of the mild lung disease population (having a FEVlpp of greater than 75 at baseline) and in patients on CFTR modulator therapy.
• Acebilustat-treated patients had a lower frequency of pulmonary exacerbations, particularly as recruited patients had exacerbations in the year prior to study entry and therefore at high risk of new exacerbations. It was also observed that a higher proportion of acebilustat-treated patients remained exacerbation free during the study compared to placebo.
• Pulmonary exacerbations which are a clinical marker of unbridled lung inflammation, are significant events leading to acute decompensation and chronic decline of lung function and are strongly related to reduced survival. Given this, acebilustat has the potential to protect patients from the progressive and irreversible damage that is associated with CF.
• CF cystic fibrosis
• CFTR cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
• FEVipp forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted
• NSAID non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug
• ULN upper limit of normal.
• CFQ-R Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire - Revised
• CFU colony-forming unit
• FEF25 75% forced expiratory flow during the middle portion of the forced vital capacity
• FEVipp forced expiratory volume in 1 second percent predicted
• FVCpp forced vital capacity percent predicted
• hs-CRP serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
• LTB4 is a signal-relay molecule during neutrophil chemotaxis.
• Konstan MW VanDevanter DR, Sawicki GS, Pasta DJ, Foreman AJ, Neiman EA, et al. Association of High-Dose Ibuprofen Use, Lung Function Decline, and Long-Term Survival in Children with Cystic Fibrosis. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2018;15:485-93.
• Lammermann T Afonso PV, Angermann BR, Wang JM, Kastenmiiller W, Parent CA, Germain RN. Neutrophil swarms require LTB4 and integrins at sites of cell death in vivo. Nature 2013;498:371-5.
• cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator function reduces airway bacteria and inflammation in people with cystic fibrosis and chronic lung infections.

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