Distribution of Neutrophils in Bronchial Mucosal Tissue in Asthma Patients Before and After 4 Weeks Treatment With AZD 5069

An Explorative Investigation to Study the Relationship and Distribution of Neutrophils in Bronchial Mucosal Tissue, Induced Sputum and Blood After Administration of 45 mg BD AZD 5069 for 4 Weeks to Patients With Moderate Persistent Neutrophilic Asthma

Distribution of neutrophils in bronchial mucosal tissue in asthma patients before and after 4 wk treatment with AZD 5069

The purpose is to investigate the bronchial tissue neutrophil counts and distribution in asthma patients after 4 week oral treatment with AZD 5069

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female patients of Caucasian origin, aged between 18 to 65 years, inclusive, at the time informed consent is obtained.
2. Physician based (according to GINA 2011) diagnosis of asthma for at least 6 months prior to the date informed consent is obtained and confirmed by 1 of the detailed respiratory criteria stated in the CSP
3. Morning prebronchodilator (ie, after abstinence from short-acting and long-acting ß-agonist treatment for ≥ 6 and ≥ 12 hours, respectively) FEV1 of ≥70% of predicted normal (PN) for age, sex and height at enrolment
4. Increased number of neutrophils in induced sputum samples at baseline, with a relative neutrophil count of ≥ 50% of total sputum cell count
5. Physician prescribed daily use of medium or high dose ICS (≥ fluticasone 250 μg to ≤ 1.000 µg or the equivalent daily, as defined in GINA 2011; see CSP Appendix E) plus LABA.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of clinically relevant allergies or idiosyncrasies to AZD5069 or other investigational CXCR2 antagonists, or any inactive ingredient(s) of the IMP, or tool-substances (eg, salbutamol, local anaesthetics) used for the purpose of this study

2. History of severe asthma exacerbation requiring hospitalization within the last 12 months before screening.

3. Asthma exacerbation requiring a treatment course of systemic (ie, oral or parenteral) corticosteroids within the 3 months before screening or ≥ 3 courses within the last 12 months before screening.

4. Moderate to severe airflow limitation (FEV1 <70% PN)

5. Any chronic lower respiratory disease other than asthma (see CSP for details) that, as judged by the Investigator or Medical Monitor, would interfere with the evaluation of the IMP or interpretation of patient safety or study results.

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