Add-on Salmeterol Versus Montelukast in Arg/Arg-16 Asthmatics

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with asthma who carry a genotype associated with adverse outcomes with long-acting beta-2 agonists like salmeterol show greater benefit from the use of an asthma drug that works via alternative pathways like montelukast.
ConditionAsthma
InterventionDrug: Montelukast Placebo
Drug: Salmeterol, Montelukast
PhaseN/A
SponsorUniversity of Dundee
Responsible PartyUniversity of Dundee
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00655616
First ReceivedApril 4, 2008
Last UpdatedMarch 23, 2011
Last verifiedFebruary 2009

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateApril 4, 2008
Last Updated DateMarch 23, 2011
Start DateAugust 2007
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2009
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresOral montelukast is associated with reduced school absences in comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year in Arg/Arg-16 asthmatic children [Time Frame: Every 3 months] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresOral montelukast is associated with improved asthma specific quality-of-life in comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year [Time Frame: Every 3 months] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleAdd-on Salmeterol Versus Montelukast in Arg/Arg-16 Asthmatics
Official TitleA Proof-of-concept Study to Evaluate the Benefit From add-on Therapy With Montelukast Versus Salmeterol in Children With Asthma Carrying the Arg/Arg-16 beta2-receptor Genotype
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with asthma who carry a genotype
associated with adverse outcomes with long-acting beta-2 agonists like salmeterol show
greater benefit from the use of an asthma drug that works via alternative pathways like
montelukast.
Detailed Description
Background/Rationale:

The presence of the homozygous Arg/Arg genotype at position 16 of the β2-receptor
(prevalence 15-17% in UK/US populations) confers relative protection against down-regulation
by endogenous catecholamines, making individuals susceptible to down-regulation and
desensitization by regular exogenous β2-agonists and thereby negating the benefits from the
regular use of short and long acting β2-agonists in adults with asthma. We found that, in
the children receiving salmeterol, the adjusted odds ratio showed a 9 fold (p=0.003) greater
risk of school absences due to asthma in the Arg/Arg group in comparison to the Gly16
carriers, with an unadjusted odds ratio of 6 (p=0.009). In the cohort not receiving
salmeterol, there was no evidence of any genotype-dependent increases in school absences due
to asthma (odds ratio=1). In addition, the Arg/Arg children on salmeterol had a
significantly increased risk of extended school absence of over 1 week from asthma with an
adjusted odds ratio of 6 (p= 0.019).

Currently, British Thoracic Society/Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
recommendations suggest the use of regular long-acting β2-agonists as add on therapy in
children with asthma who are inadequately controlled on inhaled steroids. The guidelines
suggest the use of leukotriene antagonists (e.g. montelukast) if a combination of inhaled
salmeterol and inhaled steroids fail to control symptoms.

There are 1 million children with asthma in the UK. 150,000-170,000 children carry the
Arg/Arg-16 genotype.

The Arg/Arg-16 children with asthma may constitute a significant population that is likely
to show better asthma control with a leukotriene antagonist in comparison to long-acting
β2-agonists. We have already demonstrated that school absences constitute a suitable primary
outcome measure for the testing of this hypothesis.

Hypothesis:

Children with asthma carrying the Arg/Arg-16 genotype on step 2 of the BTS guidelines
(inhaled steroids plus salbutamol according to need) have fewer school absences over a
period of 1 year on oral montelukast compared to inhaled salmeterol

Objectives:

To perform a randomized controlled trial (parallel design) of oral montelukast versus
inhaled salmeterol on children with a history of school absences/hospital admissions due to
asthma over the past year using school absences from asthma over a period of 1 year as the
primary outcome

Treatment Groups and Duration:

Inclusion/exclusion criteria- All children and adolescents (5-18 years) with asthma in
Tayside (Scotland) known (a) to carry the Arg/Arg-16 genotype and (b) currently on inhaled
steroids and (c) inhaled bronchodilators according to need will be telephoned or contacted
through home visits to establish if they have had (a) any school absences from asthma or (b)
out-of-hours visits to GP/hospital visits or admissions due to asthma over the previous 12
months. The presence of serious respiratory or multi-system disease (e.g. cystic fibrosis,
cancer under current treatment) will constitute exclusion criteria for the study. All
patients fulfilling the above inclusion and exclusion criteria will be invited to
participate in the study.

Plan for each visit - First visit: (a) Documentation of patient details (b) Baseline
spirometry; (c) Exhaled nitric oxide measurements (d) Respiratory quality-of-life (Juniper);
(e) Saliva sample for eosinophilic cationic protein (f) discontinuation of current asthma
medication for the period of the study; (g) randomization to receive either (a) Flixotide
(fluticasone) as per current inhaled steroid dose (therapeutic ratio of 2:1 for
beclomethasone / budesonide versus fluticasone) plus oral montelukast; or (b) Seretide
(salmeterol plus equivalent dose of fluticasone) plus placebo for montelukast for a period
of 1 year.

2nd -5th visits, month 3, 6, 9: 3-monthly spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, saliva for
eosinophilic cationic protein, document school absences for asthma, hospital
admissions/hospital or out-of-hours GP visits over the 3-month period.

Month 12: end of study - spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, saliva for eosinophilic cationic
protein, document school absences for asthma, hospital admissions/hospital or out-of-hours
GP visits over final 3-month period, measure quality-of-life.

Physical monitoring of compliance will be performed by using inhalers provided with counters
and tablet dispensers that allow counting of number used.

Doses and dosage regimens:

The following doses and dosage regimens will be used for the study Seretide 100 Accuhaler 1
dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast Seretide 250 Accuhaler 1 dose
twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast Seretide 500 Accuhaler 1 dose twice
daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast Flixotide Accuhaler 50 micrograms per
blister, 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast Flixotide Accuhaler
100 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast
Flixotide Accuhaler 250 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet
daily of montelukast Flixotide Accuhaler 500 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice
daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast Doses of montelukast or placebo: upto 6 years 4 mg
once daily; 6-14 years 5 mg once daily; 15 years and above 10 mg once daily.

Rescue medication: Subjects will be advised treatment with inhaled salbutamol 200 to 1000
micrograms via metered dose inhaler and volumatic device, if cough, breathlessness,
increasing symptoms on exercise, or other symptoms of asthma occur. The dose will be advised
to be repeated once every four to six hours. The regimen will be advised to be continued for
3-4 days, and up to a week, in case of persistence of symptoms. The research nurse
conducting the study will ensure that the subject has an adequate supply of salbutamol via
metered dose inhaler and large volume spacer (volumatic) at the start of the study. This
will be confirmed at each visit.

Key Efficacy Parameters:

1. Primary outcome: Oral montelukast is associated with reduced school absences in
comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year in Arg/Arg-16 asthmatic
children

2. Secondary outcomes that will also be tested:

- Oral montelukast is associated with reduced out-of hours visits/hospital visits or
admissions in comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year

- Oral montelukast is associated with a reduction in airway resistance in comparison
to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year

- Oral montelukast is associated with reduced exhaled nitric oxide levels in
comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year

- Oral montelukast is associated with reduced salivary eosinophilic cationic protein
levels in comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year

- Oral montelukast is associated with improved asthma specific quality-of-life in
comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year

- Oral montelukast is associated with improved morning peak expiratory flow rate in
comparison to inhaled salmeterol over a period of 1 year
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionAsthma
InterventionDrug: Montelukast Placebo
Seretide 100 Accuhaler 1 dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast
Seretide 250 Accuhaler 1 dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast
Seretide 500 Accuhaler 1 dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of placebo montelukast
Doses of montelukast or placebo: up to 6 years 4 mg once daily; 6-14 years 5 mg once daily; 15 years and above 10 mg once daily
Drug: Salmeterol, Montelukast
Flixotide Accuhaler 50 micrograms per blister, 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast
Flixotide Accuhaler 100 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast
Flixotide Accuhaler 250 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast
Flixotide Accuhaler 500 micrograms per blister; 1 blister dose twice daily plus 1 tablet daily of montelukast
Doses of montelukast or placebo: up to 6 years 4 mg once daily; 6-14 years 5 mg once daily; 15 years and above 10 mg once daily
Study Arm (s)
  • Active Comparator: 1
    The active comparator arm consists of Flixotide® (fluticasone propionate) via accuhaler (Diskus) dry powder inhaler device as per current inhaled steroid dose plus oral montelukast
  • Placebo Comparator: 2
    The placebo comparator arm consists of Seretide® (salmeterol plus equivalent dose of fluticasone) via accuhaler dry powder inhaler device as per current inhaled steroid dose plus placebo for montelukast

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment64
Estimated Completion DateDecember 2009
Estimated Primary Completion DateAugust 2009
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All children and adolescents (5-18 years) with asthma in Tayside (Scotland) known:

- To carry the Arg/Arg-16 genotype and

- Currently on inhaled steroids and

- Inhaled bronchodilators according to need will be telephoned or contacted through
home visits to establish if they have had:

- Any school absences from asthma or

- Out-of-hours visits to GP/hospital visits or admissions due to asthma over the
previous 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

- The presence of serious respiratory or multi-system disease (e.g. cystic fibrosis,
cancer under current treatment)
GenderBoth
Ages5 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesUnited Kingdom

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00655616
Other Study ID Numberssm2006msd01
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByUniversity of Dundee
Study SponsorUniversity of Dundee
CollaboratorsMerck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Investigators Principal Investigator: Somnath Mukhopadhyay, FRCPCH,PhD University of Dundee
Verification DateFebruary 2009

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Maternal and Child Health Sciences, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School
Dundee, Tayside, United Kingdom, DD1 9SY