Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A 12-week, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, 2-arm Parallel Group Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Foster® NEXThaler® (Beclomethasone Dipropionate 100 µg Plus Formoterol 6 µg/Actuation), 2 Inhalations b.i.d., Versus Seretide® Accuhaler® (Fluticasone 250 µg Plus Salmeterol 50 µg/Actuation), 1 Inhalation b.i.d., on Small Airway Derived Parameters in Patients With Asthma
Brief Summary: The purpose of the present study is to demonstrate the higher efficacy of Foster® NEXThaler® 100/6 extra fine (two inhalations b.i.d.) versus Seretide® Accuhaler® 250/50 (one inhalation b.i.d.), in terms of pulmonary function (change from baseline to the end of treatment in post-dose peripheral airway resistance) in patients with asthma.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female outpatients aged ≥ 18, who have signed an Informed Consent form prior to initiation of any study-related procedure.
* Clinical diagnosis of asthma for a minimum of 12 months prior to screening confirmed by a chest physician according to international guidelines (GINA). The evidence of asthma must be confirmed through a documented (in the last three years) positive response to the reversibility test, defined as ΔFEV1 ≥ 12% and ≥ 200 mL over baseline, within 30 minutes after administration of 400 μg of salbutamol pMDI or through a documented (in the last three years) positive response to methacholine challenge test (PC20 \< 8 mg/mL or PD20 \< 1 mg).
* Baseline FEV1 \> 80% of the predicted normal value after appropriate washout from bronchodilators (to be checked at screening and at randomisation visits).
* Asthma Control Test score ≥ 20 and \< 25 (to be checked at screening and at randomisation visits).
* Impaired small airways function defined as baseline peripheral airway resistance \[R(5Hz)-R(20Hz)\] ≥ 0.07 kPa/L/s (to be checked at screening and at randomisation visits).
* Patients on previous regular treatment with Seretide® Accuhaler® (fluticasone propionate 250 μg plus salmeterol xinafoate 50 μg per actuation, daily dose of fluticasone 500 μg plus salmeterol 100 μg) at a stable dose for at least 2 months prior to inclusion.
* A cooperative attitude and ability to be trained to the proper use of DPI.

Main Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a diagnosis of COPD according to GOLD guidelines.
* Current smokers with a smoking history of \> 10 pack/year.
* Patients who have a clinical or functional uncontrolled respiratory, haematological, immunologic, renal, neurologic, hepatic, endocrinal or other disease, or any condition that might, in the judgment of the investigator, represent for the patients an undue risk or that could compromise the results or interpretation of the study.
* History or current evidence of uncontrolled heart failure, clinically relevant coronary artery disease, recent myocardial infarction, severe hypertension, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias.
* Patients treated with LABA or ICS/LABA fixed combination in the 24 hours before the screening visit.
* Severe asthma exacerbation leading to intake of systemic corticosteroids (\> 10 days) in the month before the screening visit.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female patients at least 18 years or older (females less than one year post-menopausal must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test recorded within 72 hours prior to the first dose of study medication, be non-lactating, and willing to use adequate and highly effective methods of contraception throughout the study. A highly effective method of birth control is defined as those which result in a low failure rate (i.e. less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly such as sterilization, implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, some IUDs (Intrauterine Device, hormonal), sexual abstinence or vasectomised partner).
* Known history of mild to moderate-severe reversible asthma for \> 6 months prior to the screening visit.
* Demonstrate a FEV1 of \>40% to \<80% for predicted normal values (EGKS normal values, 1983) during the screening phase following appropriate withholding of asthma medications (if applicable).

  * No beta agonist use on day of screening.
  * No use of combination asthma therapy on day of screening.
  * Inhaled corticosteroids are allowed on day of screening.
* Documented reversibility of \> 15% in FEV1 in the screening phase.
* Demonstrate satisfactory technique in the use of the pressurized MDI.
* Willing and able to enter information in the electronic diary and attend all study visits.
* Willing and able to substitute study medication for their pre study prescribed asthma medication for the duration of the study.
* Written informed consent obtained.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Life-threatening asthma within the past year. This category includes those patients with a history of near-fatal asthma, a hospitalization or an emergency visit for asthma or prior intubation for asthma.
* History of systemic (injectable) corticosteroid medication within 1 month before the Screening Visit.
* History of omalizumab use within the past 6 months.
* History of leukotriene receptor antagonist use, e.g. montelukast, within the past week.
* Current evidence or history of any clinically significant disease or abnormality including uncontrolled coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, or cardiac dysrhythmia. 'Clinically significant' is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would put the patient at risk through study participation, or which would affect the outcome of the study.
* An upper or lower respiratory infection within 4 weeks prior to the Screening Visit.
* Significant, non-reversible, active pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis).
* Known Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive status.
* A smoking history equivalent to "10 pack years" (i.e., at least 1 pack of 20 cigarettes /day for 10 years or 10 packs/day for 1 year, etc)
* Current smoking history within 12 months prior to the Screening Visit.
* Current evidence or history of alcohol and/or substance abuse within 12 months prior to the Screening Visit.
* Patients who have taken beta-blocking agents, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, astemizole (Hismanal), quinidine type antiarrhythmics, or potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole within the past week.
* Current use of medications that will have an effect on bronchospasm and/or pulmonary function.
* Current evidence or history of hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reaction to test medications or components.
* Receipt of an investigational drug within 30 days of the Screening Visit (12 weeks if an oral or injectable steroid).
* Current participation in a clinical study.
C: 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.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Best pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of 40 to 85% of their predicted normal value.
2. Current Asthma Therapy: Patients must have a short-acting β2-agonist (for rescue use) for a minimum of 8 weeks before the Screening Visit (SV) and a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The low-dose ICS may be either as ICS monotherapy or as an ICS/long-acting beta agonist (LABA) combination. The ICS component of the patient's asthma therapy should be stable for a minimum of 1 months before providing consent.
3. Reversibility of Disease: Patients must have at least 15% reversibility (all patients) and at least a 200 mL increase from baseline FEV1 (patients age 18 and older) within 30 minutes after 2 to 4 inhalations of albuterol/salbutamol at the SV. Note: Patients who do not qualify for the study due to failure to meet reversibility will be permitted to perform a retest once within 7 days.
4. Patients must provide written informed consent/assent. For minor patients (ages 12 to 17 years, or as applicable per local regulations), the written ICF must be signed and dated by the parent/legal guardian and the written assent form must be signed and dated by the patient (if applicable). Note: Age requirements are as specified by local regulations.
5. Outpatient \>= 12 years of age on the date of consent/assent. In countries where the local regulations permit enrollment of adult patients only, patients must be 18 years of age and older.
6. Asthma diagnosis: The patient has a diagnosis of asthma as defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The asthma diagnosis has been present for a minimum of 3 months and has been stable (defined as no exacerbations and no changes in asthma medication) for at least 30 days.
7. The patient is able to perform acceptable and repeatable spirometry.
8. The patient is able to perform peak expiratory flow (PEF) with a handheld peak flow meter.
9. The patient is able to use a MDI device without a spacer device and a MDPI device.
10. The patient is able to withhold (as judged by the investigator) his or her regimen of ICS or study drug, and rescue medication for at least 6 hours before the SV and before all treatment visits.
11. The patient/parent/legal guardian/caregiver is capable of understanding the requirements, risks, and benefits of study participation, and, as judged by the investigator, capable of giving informed consent/assent and being compliant with all study requirements.
12. SABAs: All patients must be able to replace their current SABA with albuterol/salbutamol HFA MDI inhalation aerosol for the duration of the study.
13. Female patients may not be pregnant, breastfeeding, or attempting to become pregnant.

    * other criteria may apply, please contact the investigator for more information

Exclusion Criteria:

1. A history of a life-threatening asthma exacerbation (an asthma episode that required intubation and/or was associated with hypercapnea, respiratory arrest, or hypoxic seizures).
2. The patient is pregnant or lactating, or plans to become pregnant during the study period or for 30 days after the study.
3. The patient has participated as a randomized patient in any investigational drug study within 30 days of the SV.
4. The patient has previously participated as a randomized patient in a study of Fp MDPI or FS MDPI.
5. The patient has a known hypersensitivity to any corticosteroid, salmeterol, or any of the excipients in the study drug or rescue medication formulation (ie, lactose).
6. The patient has been treated with any known strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors (eg, azole antifungals, ritonavir, or clarithromycin) within 30 days before the SV.
7. The patient has been treated with any of the prohibited medications during the prescribed (per protocol) washout periods before the SV.
8. The patient currently smokes or has a smoking history of 10 pack years or more (a pack year is defined as smoking 1 pack of cigarettes/day for 1 year). The patient must not have used tobacco products within the past year (eg, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or pipe tobacco).
9. The patient has a culture-documented or suspected bacterial or viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract, sinus, or middle ear that has not resolved at least 2 weeks before the SV.
10. The patient has a history of alcohol or drug abuse within 2 years preceding the SV.
11. The patient has had an asthma exacerbation requiring systemic corticosteroids within 30 days before the SV, or has had any hospitalization for asthma within 2 months before the SV.
12. Initiation or dose escalation of immunotherapy (administered by any route) is planned during the study period. However, patients on stable immunotherapy may be considered for inclusion.
13. The patient has used immunosuppressive medications within 4 weeks before the SV.
14. The patient is unable to tolerate or unwilling to comply with the appropriate washout periods and withholding of all applicable medications.
15. The patient has untreated oral candidiasis at the SV. Patients with clinical visual evidence of oral candidiasis who agree to receive treatment and comply with appropriate medical monitoring may enter the study.
16. The patient has a history of a positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C infection.
17. The patient is either an employee or an immediate relative of an employee of the clinical investigational center.
18. A member of the patient's household is participating in the study at the same time. However, after the enrolled patient completes or discontinues participation in the study, another patient from the same household may be screened.
19. The patient has a disease/condition that in the medical judgment of the investigator would put the safety of the patient at risk through participation or that could affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition worsened during the study.

    * other criteria may apply, please contact the investigator for more information

Answer: A