Efficacy and safety of single-inhaler triple therapy of glycopyrronium, formoterol, and fluticasone in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial
BackgroundInvestigating the safety and efficacy of single-inhaler triple therapy with glycopyrronium (GB) 12.5 μg/formoterol fumarate (FF) 12 μg/fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 μg, compared to GB 50 μg co-administered with a fixed dose of FF 12 μg/FP 250 μg in subjects with COPD.MethodsA phase 3, randomised, double-blind, active-control, parallel-group, noninferiority study conducted at 20 sites across India. COPD patients aged ≥40 to ≤75 years, with FEV1/FVC <0.70, using mono/dual therapy with ICS, LAMA, or LABA for ≥1 month, were included. Subjects were randomised 1:1 to GB/FF/FP or GB+FF/FP for 12 weeks. Primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in trough FEV1 at the end of 12 weeks. The study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI Reg No: CTRI/2019/01/017156).ResultsBetween March 23, 2019 and February 14, 2020, 396 subjects were enrolled, 198 patients each in the fixed-triple (GB/FF/FP) and open-triple (GB+FF/FP) groups. The difference in LSM changes in predose FEV1 from baseline at 12 weeks was noninferior between the groups (p<0.05). The LSM change from baseline in postdose FEV1 was comparable (p=0.38). Superiority test showed comparable efficacy (p =0.12) for the difference in mean change from baseline in trough FEV1 between the groups. Adverse events (mild or moderate) were recorded in 25.3% and 24.9% of subjects in the GB/FF/FP and GB+FF/FP groups.ConclusionsFixed triple therapy with GB/FF/FP provides comparable bronchodilation and lung function improvement like open triple therapy. It is safe and well-tolerated in symptomatic COPD patients with a history of exacerbations.