Randomised, Double- Blind, Cross-over Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Three Different Doses of Tiotropium Administered Once Daily Versus Placebo in Patients With Moderate Persistent Asthma.
Condition: Asthma
MeSH terms: Asthma
Intervention: tiotropium bromide 2.5µg once daily; Tiotropium matching Placebo once daily; tiotropium bromide high dose once daily; tiotropium bromide 1.25µg once daily
Intervention description: Efficacy and safety comparison of 3 doses of inhaled tiotropium (1.25µg, 2.5µg and 5µg) versus placebo; Efficacy and safety comparison of 3 doses of inhaled tiotropium (1.25µg, 2.5µg and 5µg) versus placebo; Efficacy and safety comparison of 3 doses of inhaled tiotropium (1.25µg, 2.5µg and 5µg) versus placebo; IMP
Intervention MeSH terms: Bromides; Tiotropium Bromide
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double
Enrollment: 149.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Maximum age: 75 Years
Healthy volunteers: No

Summary:

      Rationale for the current trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of three doses (1.25
      µg, 2.5 µg and 5.0 µg ex mouthpiece) of tiotropium inhalation solution in patients with
      moderate persistent asthma who are still symptomatic despite regular maintenance therapy with
      inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

      The data collected in the present trial will provide useful information to health care
      providers and patients regarding the efficacy and safety of a once daily inhalation of three
      different doses of tiotropium solution delivered by the Respimat® inhaler in addition to
      inhaled corticosteroids in the treatment of not fully controlled moderate asthma in
      comparison to placebo. The Pharmacokinetics (PK) of tiotropium is well established in COPD
      patients. However, there is currently no PK data available for the 3 doses of tiotropium
      being tested in this trial in patients with moderate persistent asthma. Tiotropium is a once
      daily drug. Hence, the rationale for blood and urine sampling for PK analysis over 24 hours
      in a subset of patients is to confirm the PK of the 3 doses in moderate asthma patients.
      Rationale for the 24-hour pulmonary function test sub-investigation is to demonstrate that a
      once daily dosing of tiotropium inhalation solution is effective and safe in the treatment of
      moderate persistent asthma.
    

Eligibility criteria:

        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.