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The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of dupilumab treatment on mucus plugging in severe asthma patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Therefore, the investigators plan to apply computer tomography to investigate mucus plugging and thoroughly examine different airway samples from Type 2-high severe asthmatic patients at a cellular, molecular, microbiological and metabolomic level. This study will help to unravel underlying treatment mechanisms of dupilumab therapy in severe asthmatics.
In this prospective exploratory pilot study, the objective is to enroll 10 participants with severe asthma who are candidates for Dupilumab treatment. The study's individual duration will not exceed 26 weeks. Before enrollment, informed consent will be obtained from all subjects. All patients with severe Type 2 Asthma can be included according to inclusion- and exclusion criteria. Those with a history of monoclonal antibody treatment for asthma may be included after a washout period of 2 half-lives or 1 month (whichever is longer).
Prior to commencing Dupilumab, the investigators will assess patient-reported outcomes using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6), Asthma Control Test (ACT), and mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (miniAQLQ). Additionally, the investigators will review concomitant medication, conduct Spirometry, measure fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), perform ultra high-resolution computer tomography of the lungs, draw blood for laboratory samples, and carry out bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsies.
Subsequently, Dupilumab treatment will be initiated, and patients will visit our center every 2 weeks for clinical assessments, including monitoring adverse events, lung function, laboratory samples, and Dupilumab administration. After 22 weeks, the investigators will repeat computer tomography of the lungs and bronchoscopy. For patients who do not experience clinical improvement, Dupilumab treatment will be discontinued after 6 months.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dupilumab treated patients | All patients will be administered subcutaneous doses of dupilumab every 2 weeks. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dupilumab | Drug | Clinical assessment, lung function, CT-scans and Bronchoscopy prior to and 22 weeks after initiation of Dupilumab. |
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Effect of Dupilumab treatment on mucus plugging in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma | CT scans of the lungs will be done on baseline and 22 weeks after begin applying ultra-high resolution CT technique (special resolution 0.2 mm). The examinations will be performed as no-contrast CTs in sustained deep inspiration and expiration. The images will be investigated and scored independently by two thoracic radiologists. Both radiologists will score the extent of air-trapping, bronchial wall thickening and mucus plugging per pulmonary segment based on the following scale:
| 26 weeks |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change in asthma control | We will assess change in asthma control under Dupilumab treatment using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (ACQ-6) and mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ). | 26 weeks |
| Change in number of asthma exacerbations |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Safety and Tolerability | Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0 | 26 weeks |
Inclusion Criteria:
All patients who:
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients who:
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Patients with severe Type 2 asthma for whom Dupilumab therapy is indicated.
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Idzko, M.D. | Contact | +43140400 | 47740 | marco.idzko@meduniwien.ac.at |
| Slagjana Stoshikj, M.D. | Contact | +43140400 | 47740 | slagjana.stoshikj@meduniwien.ac.at |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical University of Vienna, Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Department of Pulmonology | Recruiting | Vienna | State of Vienna | 1090 | Austria |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001249 | Asthma |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001982 | Bronchial Diseases |
| D012140 | Respiratory Tract Diseases |
| D008173 | Lung Diseases, Obstructive |
| D008171 | Lung Diseases |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| C582203 | dupilumab |
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For the purpose of the study we will collect blood samples as well as bronchoscopy-derived samples as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, bronchial lining fluid and bronchial biopsies
Asthma exacerbations will be defined as events requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids for at least three consecutive days. |
| 26 weeks |
| Change in peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) | PBEC, measured in cells per microliter (cells/µL), will be assessed every two weeks at the clinic. | 26 weeks |
| Change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) | FEV₁ and FVC, expressed in milliliters (mL) and as percentages of the predicted values, will be assessed during clinic visits. Additionally, patients will receive home spirometry devices to enable more frequent lung function monitoring between appointments | 26 weeks |
| Change in fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) | FeNO will be measured daily at home using portable devices, as well as every two weeks at the clinic. Measurements will be expressed in parts per billion (ppb). | 26 weeks |
| Change in Cellular Composition and Activation | Characterization of immune cell populations and their activation states isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. | 26 weeks |
| Change in Inflammatory Mediators | Quantification of inflammatory mediator concentrations in BAL supernata | 26 weeks |
| Change in Transcriptional Profiling | Analysis of gene expression profiles in BAL cells and lung tissue using transcriptional sequencing techniques. | 26 weeks |
| Lung Microbiome | Assessment of microbial community composition in BAL samples. | 26 weeks |
| Metabolomic Profile | Characterization of metabolite composition in BAL fluid. | 26 weeks |
| D012130 |
| Respiratory Hypersensitivity |
| D006969 | Hypersensitivity, Immediate |
| D006967 | Hypersensitivity |
| D007154 | Immune System Diseases |