Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with type 2 inflammation experienced significant improvements in their condition after receiving treatment with the monoclonal antibody dupilumab, as per a year-long Phase 3 clinical trial reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The improvements included a markedly lower annualized rate of acute exacerbations, improved lung function and quality of life, and less severe symptoms compared to those treated with a placebo.
These improvements began two to four weeks after starting the treatment and continued throughout the 52-week trial.
Potential Impact
Dupilumab is the first biologic shown to enhance clinical outcomes in COPD.
“Dupilumab has the potential to impact the vicious cycle of exacerbations and lung function decline in patients with COPD with type 2 inflammation and high exacerbation risk, who are already on optimal inhaled triple therapy,” said Surya Bhatt, M.D., one of the lead researchers.
The Study
Co-led by Bhatt and Klaus Rabe, M.D., Ph.D., the international multicenter clinical study enrolled 468 patients in the dupilumab group and 471 patients in the placebo group.
Background
COPD patients often have significantly reduced lung function and an increased risk of exacerbations.
The World Health Organization estimates that, by 2060, over 5.4 million deaths per year will be attributable to COPD and related coexisting conditions.
Approximately 20% to 40% of patients with COPD have a predominant type 2 inflammation.
Dupilumab’s Role
Dupilumab inhibits the shared receptor component for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, two cytokines that are key drivers of type 2 inflammation.
Interleukin-5, another cytokine involved in type 2 inflammation, hasn’t been a useful drug target in COPD.
Safety and Adverse Events
The trial demonstrated dupilumab’s safety, with a similar incidence of adverse events observed in both the trial groups.
The study was presented at the American Thoracic Society’s 2023 International Conference in Washington, D.C.
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The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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