fluticasone and Cystic-Fibrosis

Reduction of lung inflammation is one of the goals of cystic fibrosis therapy. Inhaled corticosteroids are often used to treat children and adults with cystic fibrosis. The rationale for this is their potential to reduce lung damage arising from inflammation, as well as their effect on symptomatic wheezing. It is important to establish the current level of evidence for the risks and benefits of inhaled corticosteroids, especially in the light of their known adverse effects on growth. This is an update of a previously published review.. To assess the effectiveness of taking regular inhaled corticosteroids, compared to not taking them, in children and adults with cystic fibrosis.. We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register, comprising references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. We requested information from pharmaceutical companies manufacturing inhaled corticosteroids and authors of identified trials.Date of most recent search of the Group's Trials Register: 15 August 2016.. Randomised or quasi-randomised trials, published and unpublished, comparing inhaled corticosteroids to placebo or standard treatment in individuals with cystic fibrosis.. Two independent authors assessed methodological quality and risk of bias in trials using established criteria and extracted data using standard pro formas.. The searches identified 34 citations, of which 26 (representing 13 trials) were eligible for inclusion. These 13 trials reported the use of inhaled corticosteroids in 506 people with cystic fibrosis aged between six and 55 years. One was a withdrawal trial in individuals who were already taking inhaled corticosteroids. Methodological quality and risk of bias were difficult to assess from published information. Many of the risk of bias judgements were unclear due to a lack of available information. Only two trials specified how participants were randomised and less than half of the included trials gave details on how allocation was concealed. Trials were generally judged to have a low risk of bias from blinding, except for two which were open label or did not use a placebo. There were some concerns that a number of trials had not been published in peer-reviewed journals, but the risk of bias from this was unclear. Inclusion criteria varied between trials, as did type and duration of treatment and timing of outcome assessments. Objective measures of airway function were reported in most trials but were often incomplete. Significant benefit has not been conclusively demonstrated. Four trials systematically documented adverse effects and growth was significantly affected in one study using high doses.. Evidence from these trials is insufficient to establish whether inhaled corticosteroids are beneficial in cystic fibrosis, but withdrawal in those already taking them has been shown to be safe. There is some evidence they may cause harm in terms of growth. It has not been established whether long-term use is beneficial in reducing lung inflammation, which should improve survival, but it is unlikely this will be proven conclusively in a randomised controlled trial.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Budesonide; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Fluticasone; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Young Adult

Inflammation has been increasingly recognized as a major factor in the pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. The use of anti-inflammatory medications to slow pulmonary deterioration has been the focus of much research over the past two decades. Oral corticosteroids are effective, but are associated with significant adverse effects when used long-term. Inhaled corticosteroids are being studied as an alternative to systemic steroids. High-dose ibuprofen has also been shown to be of benefit in CF patients but has not been widely used. A variety of other non-specific anti-inflammatory agents, as well as antioxidants and antiproteinases, have been evaluated or are currently under investigation for use in CF. At present, the anti-inflammatory therapies used to treat CF lung disease are limited. There is hope that agents being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials will prove more effective than those already tested and that future research will provide additional anti-inflammatory therapies for CF airway disease.

Topics: alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Androstadienes; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antioxidants; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cystic Fibrosis; Fluticasone; Humans; Ibuprofen; Macrolides; Piroxicam; Prednisone; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory; Proteins; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors

Despite absence of clear proof of efficacy, the use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is widespread in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Therefore, the effect of ICS on lung function and other clinical variables was studied in 27 prepubertal CF children with mild to moderate lung disease. In a prospective double-blind case-controlled study, fluticasone propionate 500 microg or placebo were administered twice daily during 12 months. The mean (standard error of the mean, SEM) patient age was 8.2 (0.6) years in the placebo group and 9.0 (0.5) years in the fluticasone group. The mean (SEM) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) was 91% (4%) in the placebo group and 86% (4%) in the fluticasone group. There was no statistically significant difference in the evolution of lung function and the number of respiratory exacerbations between groups. However, longitudinal growth in fluticasone patients was significantly slower than in placebo patients: 3.96 (0.29) cm versus 5.49 (0.38) cm [p<0.005, analysis of variance (ANOVA)] over the 12-month study duration. This resulted in a significant change in height standard deviation score (SDS) of -0.38 (0.09) in the fluticasone group versus -0.01 (0.07) in the placebo group (p<0.003, ANOVA). No catch-up growth was noted 1-2 years after discontinuation of inhaled steroids. The use of high-dose ICS in CF patients with mild lung disease may lead to persistent growth impairment.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fluticasone; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Male; Time Factors

Lung inflammation and injury is critical in cystic fibrosis. An ideal antiinflammatory agent has not been identified but inhaled corticosteroids are widely used despite lack of evidence.. To test the safety of withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids with the hypothesis this would not be associated with an earlier onset of acute chest exacerbations.. Multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 18 pediatric and adult UK centers. Eligibility criteria included age>6.0 yr, FEV1>or=40% predicted, and corticosteroid use>3 mo. During the 2-mo run-in period, all patients received fluticasone; they then took either fluticasone or placebo for 6 mo.. Fluticasone group: n=84, median age 14.6 yr, mean (SD) FEV1 76% (18); placebo group: n=87, median age 15.8 yr, mean (SD) FEV1 76% (18). There was no difference in time to first exacerbation (primary outcome) with hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.07 (0.68 to 1.70) for fluticasone versus placebo. There was no effect of age, atopy, corticosteroid dose, FEV1, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa status. There was no change in lung function or differences in antibiotic or rescue bronchodilator use. Fewer patients in the fluticasone group withdrew from the study due to lung-related adverse events (9 vs. 15%); with a relative risk (95% confidence interval) of 0.59 (0.23-1.48) fluticasone versus placebo.. In this study population (applicable to 40% of patients with cystic fibrosis in the UK), it appears safe to consider stopping inhaled corticosteroids. Potential advantages will be to reduce the drug burden on patients, reduce adverse effects, and make financial savings.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Age Factors; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asthma; Bronchodilator Agents; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Double-Blind Method; Feasibility Studies; Female; Fluticasone; Follow-Up Studies; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Placebos; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Safety; Withholding Treatment

Inhaled corticosteroids have been proposed to decrease pulmonary inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF). In this study the effects of therapy with inhaled fluticasone on clinical and sputum outcomes (leukocyte count, activity of myeloperoxidase, superoxide anion release) in adult CF patients were investigated in an open label design. Twenty-six stable patients (median+/-SD forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 58.1+/-19.9% pred.) were randomly assigned to the study group (500 microg b.i.d., for three weeks) or the control group (n=14; nonsteroid medication). Sputum samples were obtained during inhalation of hypertonic saline (3%, 20 min), which was found not to alter the investigated sputum parameters. No significant changes in clinical parameters, sputum leukocyte count, activity of myeloperoxidase, and baseline superoxide anion release where observed following therapy. Surprisingly, stimulated superoxide anion release increased significantly after therapy (34.1+/-17.7 versus 25.2+/-17.4 nmol x hr(-1) x 10(6) cells, p<0.03) and exceeded spontaneous variability of this parameter (p=0.02 versus control group). In conclusion, in adult cystic fibrosis patients short-term fluticasone therapy had no evident effect on clinical and sputum parameters. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate whether the observed up-regulation of oxidative capacity of inflammatory cells is of concern or benefit in these patients.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Administration, Topical; Adult; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cystic Fibrosis; Female; Fluticasone; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Male; Peroxidase; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Burst; Sputum; Superoxides; Time Factors

Controlling lung inflammation may be the key to improving morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis.. To assess the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on lung inflammation in cystic fibrosis.. Double blind placebo controlled randomised sequence crossover trial. Fluticasone propionate (400 micrograms/day) was given as a dry powder inhaler for six weeks with a four week washout period before crossover.. Sputum inflammatory markers (interleukin-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and neutrophil elastase-both free and bound to alpha 1-antiprotease), sputum interleukin-10, lung function, and symptomatology.. Twenty three children from a regional cystic fibrosis centre were enrolled into the study, with mean age 10.3 years (range 7 to 17 years) and mean baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 64% (range 21% to 102%) predicted for sex and height. One patient was excluded for non-compliance to the study protocol.. No significant benefit was shown for the use of fluticasone propionate in any of the outcomes. For sputum interleukin-8 there was an estimated true treatment median difference of 142 pg/ml (95% confidence interval (CI) 8 to 2866 pg/ml) in favour of placebo; while for maximal expiratory flow at 25% (MEF25%) remaining forced vital capacity predicted for sex and height there was a 15 percentage points (pp) (95% CI 4 to 26 pp) mean treatment difference in favour of placebo. Sputum interleukin-10 was undetected in any samples and unaffected by fluticasone propionate. Neither atopic status, baseline FEV1, nor concomitant DNase therapy had any effect on response to treatment.. Lack of benefit from fluticasone propionate was most likely due to failure of the drug to penetrate the viscid mucus lining the airways. It is suggested a large multicentre trial with higher doses given for a longer time by a different delivery system is required to assess efficacy.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Androstadienes; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biomarkers; Child; Cross-Over Studies; Cystic Fibrosis; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-8; Leukocyte Elastase; Lung; Male; Neutrophils; Sputum; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics: Acetates; Adult; Aminophenols; Androstadienes; Anti-Allergic Agents; Cyclopropanes; Cystic Fibrosis; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Leukotriene Antagonists; Paranasal Sinus Diseases; Quinolines; Quinolones; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial; Sulfides; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Although there have been case reports of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by the combination of oral itraconazole and inhaled fluticasone, to date no study has assessed the incidence of this potentially serious side effect.. Synacthen tests were conducted on all patients with CF receiving itraconazole and inhaled fluticasone and an equal number of patients with CF receiving inhaled fluticasone but not itraconazole. Itraconazole levels were measured in patients receiving the therapy.. Twelve patients receiving itraconazole and fluticasone underwent synacthen tests. All 12 had abnormal synacthen test results and 10/12 (83%) had HPA axis suppression. Two patients had severe HPA axis suppression with a peak cortisol <75 nmol/L and further 3 patients had moderately severe suppression with a peak cortisol <250 nmol/L. In contrast, only 2/12 on fluticasone alone had HPA axis suppression (both mild). The median (range) basal cortisol levels were significantly lower in those patients receiving itraconazole and inhaled fluticasone compared to those on fluticasone alone (219(22-508)nmol/L v 348(41-738)nnmol/L, p=0.02), similar results were seen for peak cortisol levels (404(59-706)nmol/L v 672(432-1178)nmol/L, p<0.001) and cortisol rise (179(37-240)nmol/L v 368(210-539)nmol/L, p<0.001). The median (range) itraconazole level was 5.5(1.7-14.7)mg/L. Neither itraconazole levels nor fluticasone dose correlated with the degree of adrenal suppression.. In this study, all patients receiving itraconazole and inhaled fluticasone had abnormal synacthen test results. The incidence of HPA axis suppression with this treatment combination appears to be higher than that previously reported with itraconazole and inhaled budesonide.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adolescent; Adult; Androstadienes; Cystic Fibrosis; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Itraconazole; Male; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Young Adult

To report the rapid onset of adrenal insufficiency and subsequent development of Cushing syndrome precipitated by a CYP3A4-mediated drug-drug interaction that may have been enhanced by the presence of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease.. A 9-year-old girl with CF and cirrhosis experienced a decline in lung function that led to a diagnosis of asthma. After initiation of asthma therapy with inhaled fluticasone 110 μg/actuation, the patient experienced improvement in lung function to baseline. Seven weeks after the initiation of inhaled fluticasone, she developed vaginal candidiasis and was prescribed fluconazole 100 mg/day, a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Three days after starting fluconazole, she developed polyuria and polydipsia and was found to have severe hyperglycemia, which led to the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Fluticasone was discontinued, and the patient's adrenal function normalized.. Patients with CF are commonly prescribed complex medication regimens that may affect drug metabolism. CYP3A4 inhibitors may significantly decrease metabolic clearance in patients using chronic inhaled corticosteroids. Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome has been reported in patients with CF treated concomitantly, and for extended duration, with inhaled corticosteroids and CYP3A4 inhibitors. This case highlights rapid onset of adrenal insufficiency in a patient with CF-related liver disease treated briefly with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Use of the Horn drug interaction probability scale indicates that the interaction between fluticasone and fluconazole was probable.. CYP3A4-mediated drug interactions represent a significant risk in patients treated with long-term inhaled corticosteroids. The presence of clinically significant CF-related liver disease may enhance this risk.

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenal Insufficiency; Androstadienes; Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Antifungal Agents; Asthma; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Child; Cushing Syndrome; Cystic Fibrosis; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors; Drug Interactions; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Fluconazole; Fluticasone; Humans; Treatment Outcome

Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is widely used to reduce pulmonary inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but the potential effects of FP on airway epithelial cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are unknown. In CF disease, a nonregulated inflammatory lung response occurs through exaggerated nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines production by airway epithelial cells. To determine whether FP reduces cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cells via NF-kappaB, the authors investigated the nonstimulated and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated production of NF-kappaB-dependent interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and RANTES (regulated on activation, T-cell expressed and secreted) along with the activation of NF-kappaB in non-CF and CF human bronchial gland epithelial cells. It was demonstrated that a relevant concentration of FP (10(-8) M) inhibited constitutive and P. aeruginosa LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production of non-CF and CF bronchial epithelial cells. Interestingly, the expression of two IkappaB kinases (IKK)-alpha/beta, the degradation of cytosolic IkappaB-beta inhibitor and the NF-kappaB deoxyribonucleic acid binding activity were markedly reduced after FP treatment in both CF and non-CF bronchial epithelial cells. It was shown by the authors that fluticasone propionate exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by blocking a signal transduction leading to a reduced level of IkappaB-alpha/beta kinases in bronchial epithelial cells. In particular the strong effect on the IkappaB-beta kinase, which is known to be elevated in bronchial epithelial cells in cystic fibrosis patients, was observed.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Androstadienes; Blotting, Western; Bronchi; Bronchodilator Agents; Case-Control Studies; Cells, Cultured; Chemokine CCL5; Chemokines; Cystic Fibrosis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epithelial Cells; Fluticasone; Humans; I-kappa B Kinase; I-kappa B Proteins; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Respiratory Mucosa; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Airway inflammation, one of the major factors leading to lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, is associated with an abnormal increase in proinflammatory cytokines. In this work, we demonstrate the increased release of the proinflammatory cytokines after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation: human interleukin (hIL)-8 in CF and non-CF airway xenografts, and hIL-6 and human growth-related oncogene-alpha (hGRO-alpha), which could be only analyzed in non-CF xenografts. Under basal conditions, we observed that hIL-8 was higher in CF xenografts compared with non-CF. We also report the anti-inflammatory effect of a glucocorticoid, fluticasone propionate (FP), on CF airway epithelium using a humanized model of airway inflammation developed in nude mice. In CF and non-CF tracheal xenografts, airway inflammation was induced by inoculating Pseudomonas aeruginosa LPS (4 h; 1 microg/ml) in the lumen of the xenografts. FP pretreatment (2 h; 10(-8) M) followed by P. aeruginosa LPS stimulation induced a significant reduction of LPS-induced hIL-8 release in airway liquid collected from CF and non-CF tracheal xenografts (85 and 80%, respectively). In non-CF tracheal xenografts, FP treatment before LPS stimulation induced a significant decrease in hIL-6 and hGRO-alpha. From these data, we suggest that FP exerts anti-inflammatory properties that may be appropriate to CF therapy, at an early stage of the disease. In addition, these results demonstrate that the humanized airway model of inflammation provides a relevant tool for analyzing the effects of anti-inflammatory drugs in different diseases in which airway inflammation is implicated.

Topics: Androstadienes; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Body Fluids; Child; Cystic Fibrosis; Cytokines; Female; Fluticasone; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Inflammation; Interleukin-8; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Nude; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Trachea; Transplantation, Heterologous