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Brensocatib Aspen Trial Results in NEJM!
This diagram — “Neutrophils: Defender and Offender” — is what Dr. Chalmers often refers to as a “confusagram” (I think that’s the word he uses!).
Does anyone remember Highlights magazine, where you had to find hidden objects — like a hammer tucked inside a tree?
That’s exactly what this feels like!
Can you spot the word brensocatib hidden in the diagram?
Many of us have been following the development of brensocatib for years, from the Phase 2 WILLOW trial to the Phase 3 ASPEN trial.
Although the results were shared publicly last year and discussed extensively at the Bronchiectasis World Conference in Dundee, Scotland, the findings have now been formally published in The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world.
I knew the article was coming, as I’ve heard Dr. Chuck Daley reference it multiple times. How exciting — for him, for the bronchiectasis community, and for all of us living with the heavy burden of this disease and desperately needing relief.
So, as I always say, let’s continue to stay the course: keep our weight in a healthy zone, eat nutrient-dense foods, do our airway clearance, exercise, control GERD, and just as importantly, try to have faith and relax — knowing that help is on the way!
Happy weekend,
Linda Esposito
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Very exciting our shared disease potential treatment appears in a such a prestigious publication, which makes this novel drug seem quite real! It cannot be here soon enough for us to try to see if it makes some difference in our QoL. I know that airway clearance will remain our mainstay, with or without brensocatib, but perhaps with brensocatib will be reduced as fewer secretions will be produced.
Have you heard from anyone personally who's been in the study? I'm super curious how their day to day was changed or remained the same while on the trial. 25% reduction in exacerbations is not huge but it's something. I'll take it!
Very nicely put Scoop!! I too am anxiously awaiting approval, so I can try it. I nebulize 3 times a day more often than not, occasionally get by with two. In fact my Dr. at UVM (Vermont) is surprised I have such a problem with mucus, she said she sees mostly Dry Bronchiectasis. She called mine Traction Bronchiectasis, which is caused by my Pulmonary Fibrosis. I believe Mayo Jax has the same conclusion. Anyway hope & pray Brensocatib arrives soon!!!!
Hi everyone,
I posted about the NEJM article to my social media and one of our bronchi-sisters sent this reply regarding her experience with brensocatib:
I was having multiple exacerbations a year before the trial. On antibiotics for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. The only reason I went on the trial was to be able to have regular access to the respiratory clinic (monthly visits throughout the 14 mth trial period) as, in NZ, the moment you get well you’re dropped from the clinic, then have to be re-referred by your GP when you’re next unwell. However the referral process takes so long you’re probably better again by the time your appointment arrives. I have not had a single exacerbation, nor taken antibiotics for infection in my lungs (have had covid twice and upper respiratory tract virus which in the past would’ve definitely led to lung infection), since I started the medication. In the past I had periods where I felt my job could be in jeopardy because of the amount of coughing I did at work. I no longer cough, except as part of airways clearance. I have little mucus and do not feel as though I have respiratory disease. I’ll be 70 in June, have a daily step goal of 13,000 steps (I’m a fast walker), work full time, exercise at home daily. No one would be able to guess I have respiratory disease. My disease is classed as ‘moderate’.
Someone else posted that she did not feel better while on a drug in the study. She and her doctor assumed she was on the placebo.
I hope this is helpful, Linda Esposito
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2 Reactionsas I remember, it's not suitable for eosiniphilic BE ?!
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1 ReactionIt target neutrophils. But some people have a combination of eosinophilic and neutrophilic BE, and perhaps, for those people, especially the ones who are frequent exacerbations it could be helpful.
I don't remember the company name but there is research and possibly clinical trials underway for eosiniphilic BE.
Boehringer-Ingelheim is also working on a neutrophilic type drug for bronchiectasis with a better safety profile than brensocatib. According to website they are in clinical trials stage 2. It's estimated that there are 500,000 people in the USA alone who suffer with NCBE.
https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/human-health/lung-diseases/phase-ii-trials-patients-bronchiectasis
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1 ReactionHi Scoop! Brensocatib had an excellent safety profile. The FDA did not require a committee review because they felt it was that safe. Why do you say it’s better than BI’s? Linda
Boehringer-Ingelheim claims their drug has a better safety profile! Healthy competition is great for the patient. Other than pneumonia, severe infection, hyperkeratosis and gingivitis I agree that Brensocatib looks pretty good.
High scoop! If you compare the number of times there were adverse events on the drug to the placebo you’ll see there isn’t an issue. I’d love to see the reference from BI. It’s unusual for a pharma company to say their drug has a safer profile when they haven’t done their phase 3 trial yet. However, I agree that it’ll be wonderful to have choices.
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1 ReactionIndeed! Amazing to me they conducted trials done during covid. We were all a bit healthier then (fewer colds, etc). I hope the rollout goes as smoothly as their results.