A Randomised, Double- Blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-over Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Tiotropium 5 µg Once Daily and Tiotropium 2.5 µg Twice Daily for Four Weeks in Patients With Moderate Persistent Asthma
Condition: Asthma
MeSH terms: Asthma
Intervention: Tiotropium 2.5 µg b.i.d; Placebo; Tiotropium 5 µg q.d.
Intervention description: 2.5 µg (two actuations of 1.25 µg) delivered via Respimat® inhaler; N/A (two actuations of placebo) delivered via Respimat® inhaler; 5 µg (two actuations of 2.5 µg) delivered via Respimat® inhaler
Intervention MeSH terms: Tiotropium Bromide
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double
Enrollment: 94.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Maximum age: 75 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

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.
    

Eligibility criteria:

        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.