Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: DOUBLE BLIND, MULTINATIONAL, MULTICENTRE, PARALLEL-GROUP DESIGN CLINICAL TRIAL OF THE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF CHF 1535 (BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE 100 µg + FORMOTEROL 6 µg) pMDI VIA HFA-134a vs. FLUTICASONE 125 µg + SALMETEROL 25 µg pMDI (SERETIDE®) IN THE 12-WEEK TREATMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE PERSISTENT ASTHMA
Brief Summary: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination beclomethasone/formoterol pMDI with that of fluticasone/salmeterol pMDI in patients with moderate to severe asthma


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe persistent asthma for at least 6 months, according to GINA revised version 2002 guidelines (11):

  * Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) or peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) ³ 50% and £ 80% of the predicted normal;
  * Asthma not adequately controlled with the current therapies, defined as presence of daily asthma symptoms \> once a week and night-time asthma symptoms \> twice a month, and daily use of short-acting β2-agonists. These findings are to be based on recent medical history and are to be confirmed in the 2-week run-in period.
* Treatment with inhaled corticosteroids at a daily dose ≤ 1000 μg of BDP or equivalent. The daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids taken at visit 1 will be assessed taking into account the following ratios between the doses of the different steroids: fluticasone propionate : BDP CFC = 1 : 2; budesonide : BDP CFC = 4 : 5; flunisolide : BDP CFC = 1 : 1. The ratios between inhaled steroids are irrespective of the formulations (i.e. spray aerosol or powder) used. When BDP is given in the new extra-fine HFA-134a formulation (as QVAR®, 3M Healthcare), the ratio with BDP CFC is set as 2 : 5. Therefore, the maximum allowed daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids at study entry will be: budesonide 800 μg, fluticasone propionate 500 μg, flunisolide 1000 μg, BDP 1000 mg, BDP HFA extra-fine 400 μg.
* Positive response to the reversibility test in the screening visit, defined as an increase of at least 12% (or, alternatively, of 200mL) from baseline value in the measurement of FEV1 30 minutes following 2 puffs (2 ´ 100 µg) of inhaled salbutamol administered via pMDI. The reversibility test can be avoided in patients having a documented positive response in the previous 6 months.
* A co-operative attitude and ability to be trained to correctly use the metered dose inhalers and to complete the diary cards.
* Written informed consent obtained.
* At the end of the 2-week run-in period, the presence of daily asthma symptoms (of at least mild intensity) and nighttime asthma symptom (of at least mild intensity) \> once a week, as well as of daily use of relief salbutamol is to be confirmed by reviewing the diary cards for run-in.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to carry out pulmonary function testing;
* Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) as defined by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute/World Health Organisation (NHLBI/WHO) Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines (30);
* History of near fatal asthma;
* Evidence of severe asthma exacerbation or symptomatic infection of the airways in the previous 8 weeks;
* Three or more courses of oral corticosteroids or hospitalisation due to asthma during the previous 6 months;
* Patients treated with long-acting β2-agonists, anticholinergics and antihistamines during the previous 2 weeks, with topical or intranasal corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists during the previous 4 weeks;
* Patients who have changed their dose of inhaled corticosteroids during the previous 4 weeks, or treatment with inhaled corticosteroids at a daily dose \> 1000 μg of BDP or equivalent (except for extra-fine formulations, see inclusion criteria);
* Current smokers or recent (less than one year) ex-smokers, defined as smoking at least 10 cigarettes/day;
* History or current evidence of heart failure, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, severe hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias;
* Diabetes mellitus;
* Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary artery by-pass graft (CABG) during the previous six months;
* Patients with an abnormal QTc interval value in the ECG test, defined as \> 450 msec in males or \> 470 msec in females;
* Other haemodynamic relevant rhythm disturbances (including atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation with ventricular response, bradycardia (≤ 55 bpm), evidence of atrial-ventricular (AV) block on ECG of more than 1st degree;
* Clinically significant or unstable concurrent diseases: uncontrolled hyperthyroidism, significant hepatic impairment, poorly controlled pulmonary (tuberculosis, active mycotic infection of the lung), gastrointestinal (e.g. active peptic ulcer), neurological or haematological autoimmune diseases;
* Cancer or any chronic diseases with prognosis \< 2 years;
* Pregnant or lactating females or females at risk of pregnancy, i.e. those not demonstrating adequate contraception (i.e. barrier methods, intrauterine devices, hormonal treatment or sterilization). A pregnancy test is to be carried out in women of a fertile age.
* History of alcohol or drug abuse;
* Patients treated with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or beta-blockers as regular use;
* Allergy, sensitivity or intolerance to study drugs and/or study drug formulation ingredients;
* Patients unlikely to comply with the protocol or unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study;
* Patients who received any investigational new drug within the last 12 weeks;
* Patients who have been previously enrolled in this study;
* At the end of the run-in period, patients will not be admitted to the treatment period in the case of an increase of PEFR (L/sec) measured at the clinics at the end of the run-in period ³ 15% in respect of values measured at the start of the run-in period;
* Patients with asthma exacerbations during the run-in period will also be excluded from the study.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Informed consent: Capable of giving signed informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form and in this protocol.
* Gender and Age: Male or female subjects aged \>=18 and \<=75years of age at Screening visit.

Female subject is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant (as confirmed by a negative urine human chorionic gonadotrophin \[hCG\] test), not lactating, and at least one of the following conditions applies:

Non-reproductive potential defined as: Pre-menopausal females with one of the following - Documented tubal ligation; Documented hysteroscopic tubal occlusion procedure with follow-up confirmation of bilateral tubal occlusion; Hysterectomy; Documented Bilateral Oophorectomy. Postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea (in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone \[FSH\] and estradiol levels consistent with menopause \[refer to laboratory reference ranges for confirmatory levels\]); Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the highly effective contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise, they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrolment.

Reproductive potential and agrees to follow one of the options listed below in the GSK Modified List of Highly Effective Methods for Avoiding Pregnancy in Females of Reproductive Potential (FRP) requirements from 30 days prior to the first dose of study medication and until Week 24.

GSK Modified List of Highly Effective Methods for Avoiding Pregnancy in FRP:

This list does not apply to FRP with same sex partners, when this is their preferred and usual lifestyle or for subjects who are and will continue to be abstinent from penile-vaginal intercourse on a long term and persistent basis: Contraceptive subdermal implant that meets the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) effectiveness criteria including a \<1percent rate of failure per year, as stated in the product label; Intrauterine device or intrauterine system that meets the SOP effectiveness criteria including a \<1 percent rate of failure per year, as stated in the product label; Oral Contraceptive, either combined or progestogen alone; Injectable progestogen; Contraceptive vaginal ring; Percutaneous contraceptive patches; Male partner sterilization with documentation of azoospermia prior to the female subject's entry into the study, and this male is the sole partner for that subject; Male condom combined with a vaginal spermicide (foam, gel, film, cream, or suppository); These allowed methods of contraception are only effective when used consistently, correctly and in accordance with the product label. The investigator is responsible for ensuring that subjects understand how to properly use these methods of contraception.

* Type of subject: Subjects with documented physician's diagnosis of asthma \>=1 year, unsatisfactorily controlled asthma (ACT \<20 at Screening and Randomisation visit) treated by ICS alone and intended to be treated by ICS/LABA maintenance therapy; France Only: A subject will be eligible for inclusion in this study only if either affiliated to or a beneficiary of a Social Security category.
* Current Asthma Therapy: All subjects must be prescribed maintenance therapy and receiving ICS alone without LABA for at least 4 weeks prior to Randomisation visit; Other background asthma medication such as anti-leukotrienes or theophylline is permitted as an alternative to ICS alone, if initiated at least 4 weeks prior to screening visit.
* Subject questionnaires Subjects must be able to complete the questionnaires themselves.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of Life-threatening asthma: Defined for this protocol as an asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnea, respiratory arrest or hypoxic seizures within the last 6 months before Screening and Randomisation visit.
* Subjects having a severe and unstable asthma, with ACT score \< 15 at Visit 1 and at Visit 2, and/or a history of repeated severe exacerbations (3/year) and/or a severe exacerbation in the previous 6 weeks before Visit 1 and Visit 2.
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Respiratory Disease: A subject must not have current evidence or diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at Screening visit.
* Current or former cigarette smokers with a history of cigarette smoking of \>=10 pack-years at screening \[number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day / 20) x number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)\].
* Other diseases/abnormalities: Subjects with historical or current evidence of uncontrolled or clinically significant disease at Screening and Randomisation visit. Significant is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
* Subjects with a history of adverse reaction including immediate or delayed hypersensitivity to any intranasal, inhaled, or systemic corticosteroid and LABA therapy and to components of the inhalation powder (e.g., lactose, magnesium stearate) at Screening and Randomisation visit. In addition, subjects with a history of severe milk protein allergy that, in the opinion of the Investigator, contraindicates the subject's participation will also be excluded.
* Investigational Medications: A subject must not have used any investigational drug within 30 days prior to Randomisation visit or within five half-lives (t½) of the prior investigational study (whichever is longer of the two), (if unsure discuss with the medical monitor prior to screening).
* Chronic user of systemic corticosteroids: A subject who, in the opinion of the Investigator, is considered to be a chronic user of systemic corticosteroids for respiratory or other indications (if unsure discuss with the medical monitor prior to screening) at Screening visit.
* Subjects treated by the monoclonal antibody omalizumab or mepolizumab at Visit 1. Treatment with omalizumab or mepolizumab is not allowed during the study.
* Subjects involved in other clinical trials at Screening visit.
* Affiliation with Investigator Site: Is an investigator, sub-investigator, study coordinator, employee of a participating investigator or study site, or immediate family member of the aforementioned that is involved in this study.
* Subjects who plan to move away from the geographical area where the study is being conducted during the study.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent
* Outpatient at least 12 years of age with diagnosis of asthma at least 12 weeks prior to first visit
* Both genders; females of child bearing potential must be willing to use appropriate contraception
* Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 of 40-90% predicted
* Reversibility FEV1 of at least 12% and 200mLs
* Current asthma therapy that includes inhaled corticosteroid for at least 4 weeks prior to first visit

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of life threatening asthma
* Respiratory infection or candidiasis
* Asthma exacerbation requiring OCS within last 4 weeks or overnight hospital stay within the last 3 months
* Concurrent respiratory disease or other disease that would confound study participation of affect subject safety
* Allergies to study drugs, study drug excipients, medications related to study drugs
* Taking another investigational medication or medication prohibited for use during the study
* Previous treatment with FF or FF/VI in a phase II or III study
* Night shift workers
* Children in care
D: Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects eligible for enrolment in the study must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Informed consent: Subjects must be able to provide informed consent, have their consent signed and dated.
2. Type of subject: Subjects with documented GP diagnosis of asthma as their primary respiratory disease.
3. Current Anti-Asthma Therapy: All subjects must be prescribed maintenance therapy and receiving ICS with or without LABA (either a fixed combination or via separate inhalers), and for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 2.

   * Other background asthma medication such as anti-leukotrienes are permitted
4. All subjects on ICS monotherapy or ICS/LABA combination (this can be a fixed dose combination or an ICS alone or LABA alone in separate inhalers) must have had symptoms in the past week prior to Visit 2. Symptoms are defined by daytime symptoms more than twice per week, use of short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilator more than twice per week, any limitation of activities, or any nocturnal symptoms/awakening. (The symptoms are based on subject's recall and are consistent with the GINA and in principal with the BTS/SIGN guidelines).
5. Subject questionnaires: Subjects must be able to complete the electronic subject questionnaires as well as those questionnaires that are completed by phone or provide a proxy e.g. a partner/relative/a friend who can do so on their behalf
6. Gender and Age: Male or female subjects aged ≥18 years of age at Visit 1. A female is eligible to enter and participate in the study if she is of:

   * Non-child bearing potential (i.e. physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is post-menopausal or surgically sterile). Surgically sterile females are defined as those with a documented hysterectomy and/or bilateral oophorectomy or tubal ligation. Post-menopausal females are defined as being amenorrhoeic for greater than 1 year with an appropriate clinical profile, e.g. age appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms. However in questionable cases, a blood sample with FSH \> 40MIU/ml and estradiol \<40pg/ml (\<147 pmol/L) is confirmatory.

OR Child bearing potential has a negative urine pregnancy test at Visit 2, and agrees to one of the highly effective and acceptable contraceptive methods used consistently and correctly (i.e. in accordance with the approved product label and the instructions of the physician for the duration of the study - Visit 2 to the end of the study).

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the following criteria must not be enrolled in the study:

1. Recent history of Life-threatening asthma: Defined for this protocol as an asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnea, respiratory arrest or hypoxic seizures within the last 6 months.
2. COPD Respiratory Disease: A subject must not have current evidence or GP diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
3. Other diseases/abnormalities: Subjects with historical or current evidence of uncontrolled or clinically significant disease. Significant is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the GP/ Investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
4. Drug/food allergy: Subjects with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the study medications (e.g., beta2-agonists, corticosteroid) or components of the inhalation powder (e.g., lactose, magnesium stearate). In addition, subjects with a history of severe milk protein allergy that, in the opinion of the GP/ Investigator, contraindicates the subject's participation will also be excluded.
5. Investigational Medications: A subject must not have used any investigational drug within 30 days prior to Visit 2 or within five half-lives (t½) of the prior investigational study (whichever is longer of the two), (if unsure discuss with the medical monitor prior to screening)
6. Chronic user of systemic corticosteroids: A subject who, in the opinion of the GP/Investigator, is considered to be a chronic user of systemic corticosteroids for respiratory or other indications (if unsure discuss with the medical monitor prior to screening)
7. Subjects who are using LABA without an ICS as asthma maintenance therapy.
8. Subjects who plan to move away from the geographical area where the study is being conducted during the study period and/or if subjects have not consented to their medical records being part of the electronic medical records database that is operational in the Salford area.

Answer: A