BURAN: Benralizumab on Airway Dynamics in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma Using Functional Respiratory Imaging

BURAN: Effects of Benralizumab on Airway Dynamics in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma Using Functional Respiratory Imaging Parameters

This study will assess the effects of benralizumab on airway dynamics in severe eosinophilic asthma in terms of quantitative computed tomography (CT)-derived measurements of pulmonary structure and function using the Functional Respiratory Imaging (FRI) platform.

This is a phase IV, interventional single group, open-label, uncontrolled, prospective, multicenter clinical trial.

This study will be conducted in male and female participants ≥18 years old with established severe eosinophilic asthma as defined by European Respiratory Society (ERS)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) clinical guidelines inadequately controlled by treatment with Inhaled Corticosteroids-Long-acting β2 agonists (ICS-LABA) with or without oral corticosteroids (OCS) or other asthma controller medications.

Each participant will participate in the study for a minimum of 15 weeks and up to 23 weeks.

This study will comprise of:

Screening visit (V0) Visit 1 (V1; week 0; within 1 to 21 days of screening) Visit 2 (V2; week 4 ± 5 days) Visit 3 (V3; week 8 ± 5 days) Visit 4 (V4; week 13 ± 5 days) Follow-up (2 weeks [± 7 days] after V4) - Phone call follow-up. Participants will be discharged from the study after the phone call follow-up is completed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants who are diagnosed with asthma with documented reversibility post-bronchodilator or salbutamol either historical or at Visit 0 (V0).
• Participants who have documented treatment with ICS and LABA for ≥ 3 months prior to V0 with or without oral corticosteroids and additional asthma controllers.
• Participants who have documented peripheral blood eosinophil count ≥ 300 cells/μL at V0, or if Oral Corticosteroids (OCS)-dependent, a documented peripheral blood eosinophil count ≥ 150 cells/μL at V0.
• Participants who have had a minimum of 2 exacerbations in the last 12 months prior to V0.
• Participants who have pre-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) ≤ 70% at Visit 0 (V0).
• Participants who have pre-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 80% of predicted at V0.
• Participants who can perform acceptable and repeatable spirometry.
• Participants who can withhold asthma maintenance medication for at least 12 hours prior to V0, 1 and 4 where spirometry and/or Computed Tomography (CT) scan procedures will be performed except for once-a-day dosage where 24 hours will be required.
• Female participants who have a negative pregnancy test prior to administration of the investigational product (IP) and high-resolution CT scan and must agree to use a highly effective method of birth control from randomization throughout the study duration and within 12 weeks after last dose of IP.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who are unstable or who experienced an exacerbation/infection in the 6 weeks before V0.
• Participants with acute upper or lower airway infection in the 6 weeks before V0.
• Participants diagnosed with clinically important pulmonary disease other than asthma, or participants who have ever been diagnosed with pulmonary or systemic disease, other than asthma that are associated with elevated peripheral eosinophil count.
• Receipt of any biologic products for asthma within 4 months or 5 half-lives prior to V0 whichever is longer.
• History or current use of chronic (i.e., > 4 weeks) immunosuppressive medication.
• History of lung volume reduction surgery, lung resection, thermal bronchoplasty at any time before visit 0 (V0) or on active phase of pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Participants with current malignancy or history of malignancy.
• History of other clinically significant disease or abnormality.
• Participants with positive Hepatitis B, C or HIV.
• Participants with:

Positive COVID-19 test at V0, COVID-19 disease within 6 weeks before V0 or History of severe COVID-19 disease at any time, defined by the need for Intensive Care Unit stay or Mechanical Ventilation (invasive or non-invasive).