Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Phase II, Randomised, Double- Blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-over Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Tiotropium 5 µg Administered Once Daily (in the Evening) and Tiotropium 2.5 µg Administered Twice Daily Delivered by the Respimat® Inhaler for Four Weeks Versus Placebo in Patients With Moderate Persistent Asthma
Brief Summary: Rationale for the current trial is to demonstrate 24 hour bronchodilator efficacy and safety of tiotropium 5 µg administered once daily (in the evening) which is regarded beneficial for the compliance and convenience of the patient in comparison to placebo. Further the rationale is to evaluate efficacy and safety of tiotropium 2.5 µg administered twice daily delivered by the Respimat® inhaler in comparison to placebo and tiotropium 5 µg administered once daily (in the evening) delivered by the Respimat® inhaler in patients with moderate persistent asthma.

Rationale for the pharmacokinetic subinvestigation is to evaluate the 24 hours exposure to tiotropium in patients with moderate persistent asthma when administered 5 µg tiotropium once daily (in the evening) or 2.5 µg tiotropium twice daily.


Options:
A: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign and date an Informed Consent Form consistent with the Harmonised Tripartite Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) and local legislation prior to participation in the trial (i.e. prior to any trial procedures, including any pre-trial washout of medications and medication restrictions for pulmonary function test at Visit 1).
2. Male or female patients aged between 18 and 75 years (at date of informed consent).
3. All patients must have at least a 3 month history of asthma at the time of enrolment into the trial. The diagnosis should be confirmed at Visit 1 by fulfilling inclusion criterion no. 5.
4. The initial diagnosis of asthma must have been made before the patient's age of 40.
5. The diagnosis of asthma has to be confirmed at Visit 1 with a bronchodilator reversibility (15 to 30 minutes after 4 puffs of 100 µg salbutamol) resulting in a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) increase of = 12% and = 200mL.
6. All patients must have been on maintenance treatment with a medium, stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids (alone or in a fixed combination with a long acting or short acting beta agonist \[LABA or SABA\]) for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 1.
7. All patients must be symptomatic at Visit 1 (screening) and prior to randomisation at Visit 2 as defined by an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) mean score of = 1.5.
8. All patients must have a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 = 60% and = 90% of predicted normal at Visit 1. Predicted normal values will be calculated according to the European Community for Steel and Coal (ECSC).
9. Variation of absolute FEV1 values of Visit 1 (pre-bronchodilator) as compared to Visit 2 (pre-dose) must be within ± 30%.
10. Patients must be never-smokers or ex-smokers who stopped smoking at least one year prior to enrolment (Visit 0) and who have a smoking history of less than 10 pack years.
11. Patients must be able to use the Respimat® inhaler correctly.
12. Patients must be able to perform all trial related procedures including technically acceptable pulmonary function tests and use of electronic diary/peak flow meter (diary compliance of at least 80% is required).

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than asthma.
2. Patients with a clinically relevant abnormal screening (Visit 1) haematology or blood chemistry if the abnormality defines a significant disease as defined in exclusion criterion 1.
3. Patients with a recent history (i.e. six months or less) of myocardial infarction.
4. Patients who have been hospitalised for cardiac failure during the past year.
5. Patients with any unstable or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the past year.
6. Patients with lung diseases other than asthma.
7. Patients with known active tuberculosis.
8. Patients with malignancy for which the patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within the last five years.
9. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection. Patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per exclusion criterion no. 1.
10. Patients with known moderate to severe renal impairment.
11. Patients with known narrow angle glaucoma or any other disease where anticholinergic treatment is contraindicated.
12. Patients with significant symptomatic prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction. Patients whose symptoms are controlled on treatment may be included.
13. Patients with significant alcohol or drug abuse within the past two years (to the discretion of the investigator).
14. Patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or have completed pulmonary rehabilitation program in the 6 weeks prior to Visit 1 (screening) or who will start a rehabilitation program during the study.
15. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, Benzalkonium chloride (BAC), Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) or any other components of the study medication delivery system (Respimat®/ tiotropium inhalation solution).
16. Pregnant or nursing woman.
17. Women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control.
18. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within four weeks prior to Visit 1.
19. Patients who have been treated with beta-blocker medication within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2). Topical cardio-selective beta-blocker eye medications for non-arrow angle glaucoma are allowed.
20. Patients who have been treated with the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium (Spiriva®) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2).
21. Patients who have been treated with oral or patch beta-adrenergics within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the Screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2)
22. Patients who have been treated with oral corticosteroids within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
23. Patients who have been treated with anti-Immunoglobuline E (anti-IgE) antibodies, e.g. omalizumab, within 6 months prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2).
24. Patients who have been treated with cromone within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2).
25. Patients who have been treated with methylxanthines or phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2).
26. Patients who have been treated with other non-approved and according to international guidelines not recommended experimental drugs for routine asthma therapy (e.g. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha blockers, methotrexate, cyclosporin) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period (period between Visit 1 and Visit 2).
27. Patient with any asthma exacerbation or respiratory tract infection in the 4 weeks prior to visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
B: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign and date an Informed Consent Form consistent with International Conference on Harmonisation - Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines and local legislation prior to participation in the trial (i.e. prior to any trial procedures, including any pre-trial washout of medications and medication restrictions for pulmonary function test at Visit 1).
2. Male or female patients aged at least 18 years but not more than 75 years.
3. All patients must have at least a 3 month history of asthma at the time of enrolment into the trial. The diagnosis should be confirmed at Visit 1 by fulfilling inclusion criterion 5.
4. The initial diagnosis of asthma must have been made before the patient's age of 40.
5. The diagnosis of asthma has to be confirmed at Visit 1 with a bronchodilator reversibility (15 minutes after 400 mcg salbutamol (albuterol)) resulting in a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) increase of at least 12% and at least 200mL.
6. All patients must have been on maintenance treatment with a medium, stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids for at least for 4 weeks prior to Visit 1. 7. All patients must be symptomatic at Visit 1 (screening) and prior to randomisation at Visit 2 as defined by an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) mean score of at least 1.5.

8. All patients must have a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 at least 60% and less than or equal to 90% of predicted normal at Visit 1.

9. Variation of absolute FEV1 values of Visit 1 (pre-bronchodilator) as compared to Visit 2 (pre-dose) must be within ± 30%.

10. Patients must be never-smokers or ex-smokers who stopped smoking at least one year prior to enrolment (Visit 0) and who have a smoking history of less than 10 pack years.

11. Patients must be able to use the Respimat® inhaler and metered dose inhaler correctly.

12. Patients must be able to perform all trial related procedures including technically acceptable pulmonary function tests and use of electronic diary/peak flow meter.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than asthma. A significant disease is defined as a disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, may (i) put the patient at risk because of participation in the trial, or (ii) influence the results of the trial, or (iii) cause concern regarding the patient's ability to participate in the trial.
2. Patients with a clinically relevant abnormal screening (Visit 1) haematology or blood chemistry if the abnormality defines a significant disease as defined in exclusion criterion 1.
3. Patients with a recent history (i.e. six months or less) of myocardial infarction.
4. Patients who have been hospitalised for cardiac failure during the past year.
5. Patients with any unstable or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the past year.
6. Patients with lung diseases other than asthma (e.g. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)).
7. Patients with known active tuberculosis.
8. Patients with malignancy for which the patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within the last five years. Patients with treated basal cell carcinoma are allowed.
9. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection. Patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per exclusion criterion no. 1.
10. Patients with significant alcohol or drug abuse within the past two years.
11. Patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the 6 weeks prior to Visit 1 (screening).
12. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, benzalkonium chloride (BAC), ethylenediamineteraacetic acid (EDTA), salmeterol xinafoate or any other components of the study medication delivery systems.
13. Pregnant or nursing woman.
14. Women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control.
15. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within four weeks prior to Visit 1.
16. Patients who have been treated with beta-blocker medication within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period. Topical cardio-selective beta-blocker eye medications for non-narrow angle glaucoma are allowed.
17. Patients who have been treated with the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium (Spiriva®) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
18. Patients who have been treated with oral or patch beta-adrenergics within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the Screening period.
19. Patients who have been treated with oral corticosteroids within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
20. Patients who have been treated with anti-IgE antibodies, e.g. omalizumab (Xolair®), within 6 months prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
21. Patients who have been treated with cromone within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
22. Patients who have been treated with methylxanthines or phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors within two weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
23. Patients who have been treated with other non-approved and according to international guidelines not recommended "experimental" drugs for routine asthma therapy within four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
24. Patients with any asthma exacerbation or any respiratory tract infection iin the four weeks prior to Visit 1 and/or during the screening period.
25. Patients who have previously been randomised in this trial or in the respective twin trial (205.418) or are currently participating in another trial.
C: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign and date an Informed Consent Form consistent with ICH-GCP guidelines and local legislation prior to participation in the trial (i.e. prior to any trial procedures, including any pre-trial washout of medications and medication restrictions for pulmonary function test at Visit 1).
2. Male or female patients aged at least 18 years but not more than 75 years.
3. All patients must have at least a 5-year history of asthma at the time of enrolment into the trial and the diagnosis of asthma must have been made before the patient´s age of 40.
4. All patients must have a diagnosis of severe persistent asthma and must be symptomatic despite treatment with high, stable doses of inhaled corticosteroids and a long-acting beta adrenergic agent
5. All patients must have a history of one or more asthma exacerbation in the past year.
6. Patients must have evidence of treated, severe, persistent asthma in postbronchodilator pulmonary function tests.
7. Patients should be never-smokers or ex-smokers who stopped smoking at least one year prior to enrolment and who have a smoking history of less than 10 pack years
8. Patients must be able to use the Respimat® inhaler correctly
9. Patients must be able to perform all trial related procedures including technically acceptable pulmonary function tests and use of the electronic diary/peak flow meter.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than asthma. A significant disease is defined as a disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, may (i) put the patient at risk because of participation in the trial, or (ii) influence the results of the trial, or (iii) cause concern regarding the patient´s ability to participate in the trial.
2. Patients with clinically relevant abnormal screening haematology or blood chemistry.
3. Patients with a recent history (i.e. six months or less) of myocardial infarction, hospitalisation for cardiac failure during the past year, any unstable or life threatening cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the past year, known active tuberculosis, malignancy for which the patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within the last five years (treated basal cell carcinoma allowed), lung diseases other than asthma (e.g. COPD), significant alcohol or drug abuse within the past two years, patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection. Patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per exclusion criterion No. 1.
4. Patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the 6 weeks prior to the screening visit (Visit 1).
5. Patients using oral corticosteroid medication at stable doses exceeding 5 mg prednisolone or prednisolone equivalent every day or 10 mg prednisolone or prednisolone equivalent every second day.
6. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, BAC, EDTA or any other components of the tiotropium inhalation solution.
7. Pregnant or nursing women or women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control. Female patients will be considered to be of childbearing potential unless surgically sterilised by hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation/salpingectomy, or post-menopausal for at least two years.
8. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within four weeks or six half-lives (whichever is greater) prior to Visit 1.
9. Patients who have been treated with the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium (Spiriva®), beta-blocker medication, oral beta-adrenergics, other non-approved and according to international guidelines not recommended ´experimental´ drugs for routine asthma therapy (e.g. TNF-alpha blockers, methotrexate, cyclosporin) within four weeks prior to the Screening Visit (Visit 1) or during the screening period.
10. Patients with any asthma exacerbation or respiratory tract infection in the four weeks prior to the trial.
11. Patients who have previously been randomised in this trial or in the respective twin trial (205.416 versus 205.417) or are currently participating in another trial.
12. Patients with a known narrow-angle glaucoma.

Note:

As with other anticholinergic drugs, tiotropium should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or bladder neck obstruction.

As with all predominantly renally excreted drugs, patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (known creatinine clearance of \<= 50 mL/min) treated with tiotropium should be monitored closely.
D: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign and date an Informed Consent Form consistent with International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Good Clinical Practice ( ICH-GCP) guidelines and local legislation prior to participation in the trial (i.e. prior to any trial procedures, including any pre-trial washout of medications and medication restrictions for pulmonary function test at Visit 1).
2. Male or female patients aged at least 18 years but not more than 75 years.
3. All patients must have at least a 3 months history of asthma at the time of enrolment into the trial. The diagnosis of asthma has to be confirmed at Visit 1 with a bronchodilator reversibility resulting in a Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) increase of equal above 12% and equal above 200mL.
4. The initial diagnosis of asthma must have been made before the patient's age of 40.
5. All patients must have a diagnosis of moderate persistent asthma and must be symptomatic despite their current maintenance treatment with medium doses of inhaled corticosteroids.
6. All patients must have been on maintenance treatment with a medium, stable dose of inhaled corticosteroids (alone or in a fixed combination with a Long Acting Betaadrenergic (LABA) or Short Acting Betaadrenergic (SABA)) for at least 4 weeks prior to Visit 1.
7. All patients must be symptomatic at Visit 1 (screening) and Visit 2 as defined by an Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) Score
8. All patients must have a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 above equal 60% predicted and below equal 90% of predicted normal at Visit 1. Predicted normal values will be calculated according to the European Coal and Steel Community Guidelines (ECSC).
9. All patients must have an increase in FEV1 of equal above 12% and equal above 200 mL 15 minutes after 400 µg salbutamol at Visit 1.
10. Variation of absolute FEV1 values of Visit 1 (pre-bronchodilator) as compared to Visit 2 (pre-dose) must be within ± 30% .
11. Patients must be never-smokers or ex-smokers who stopped smoking at least one year prior to enrolment and who have a smoking history of less than 10 pack years.
12. Patients must be able to use the Respimat® inhaler correctly.
13. Patients must be able to perform all trial related procedures including technically acceptable pulmonary function tests and use of the e-Diary/peak flow meter.
14. Patients taking a chronic pulmonary medication allowed by the study protocol must be willing to continue this therapy for the entire duration of the study (exception: times of acute disease deterioration).

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than asthma.A significant disease is defined as a disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, may (i) put the patient at risk because of participation in the trial, or (ii) influence the results of the trial, or (iii) cause concern regarding the patient's ability to participate in the trial.
2. Patients with a clinically relevant abnormal screening hematology or blood chemistry if the abnormality defines a significant disease as defined in exclusion criterion no. 1.
3. Patients with a recent history (i.e. six months or less) of myocardial infarction.
4. Patients who have been hospitalised for cardiac failure during the past year.
5. Patients with any unstable or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the past year.
6. Patients with lung diseases other than asthma (e.g. Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)).
7. Patients with known active tuberculosis.
8. Patients with malignancy for which the patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within the last five years. Patients with treated basal cell carcinoma are allowed.
9. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection.
10. Patients with significant alcohol or drug abuse within the past two years.
11. Patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the 6 weeks prior to V 1.
12. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, Benzalconiumchloride (BAC), Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) or any other components of the study medication delivery systems.
13. Pregnant or nursing women.
14. Women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control.
15. Patients who have been treated with beta-blocker medication within four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period. Topical cardio-selective beta-blocker eye medications for non-arrow angle glaucoma are allowed.
16. Patients who have been treated with the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium (Spiriva®) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.
17. Patients who have been treated with oral beta-adrenergics within four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.
18. Patients who have been treated with oral corticosteroids within four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.
19. Patients who have been treated with anti-IgE antibodies, e.g. omalizumab (Xolair®), within 6 months prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.20. Patients who have been treated with cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium within two weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.

21. Patients who have been treated with methylxanthines within two weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.

22. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within four weeks prior to Visit 1.

23. Patients who have been treated with other non-approved and according to international guidelines not recommended "experimental" drugs for routine asthma therapy (e.g. TNFalpha blockers, methotrexate, cyclosporin) within four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.

24. Patients with any asthma exacerbation or any respiratory tract infection in the four weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period. Visit 1 and/or Visit 2 should be postponed in case of an asthma exacerbation or respiratory tract infection.

25. Patients who have previously been randomised in this trial or are currently participating in another trial.

26.Patients who have been treated with depot corticosteroids within six months prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.

27.Patients who have been treated with leukotriene modifiers within two weeks prior to Visit 1 or during the screening period.

Answer: D