In adult patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma, blocking TSLP with tezepelumab will improve ventilation heterogeneity (evaluated by hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI), and this will be associated with reduced airway inflammation (evaluated by sputum composition), luminal narrowing and plugging (evaluated by CT).
The luminal obstruction in asthma that contributes to symptoms is due to inflammatory cells (usually eosinophils or neutrophils), mucus, smooth muscle constriction, airway wall thickness, or a combination of the above. This obstruction can be regionally visualized and quantified by computed tomography (CT), and its functional consequence can be assessed at high resolution using inhaled hyperpolarized 129Xe gas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cell derived cytokine that is produced in response to environmental and proinflammatory stimuli, may contribute to all of these features of asthma through its downstream effects on a wide variety of immune (e.g. eosinophils, mast cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), Th2 cell, and Th17 cells) and structural cells (e.g. smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts). Of note, TSLP is believed to upregulate multiple downstream inflammatory pathways, including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 signalling. It is also believed to mediate structural mechanisms that contribute to airway remodelling and smooth muscle dysfunction. The consequence of blocking TSLP with tezepelumab on airway structure and function has not been investigated. This study will use CT to quantify airway wall and lumen structure according to previously described methods. CT images will also be evaluated for intraluminal plugging and a visual mucus score will be generated. Ventilation heterogeneity in asthmatics, the functional consequence of luminal obstruction, can be regionally measured with high temporal and spatial resolution using inhaled hyperpolarized gas MRI. In asthmatics, focal ventilation defects are observed and these have been shown to be spatially related to airway abnormalities and to respond to bronchoconstriction, bronchodilation, and anti-T2 biologics. Due to the potential effect of tezepelumab on luminal inflammation, smooth muscle dysfunction and mucus hypersecretion, it is believed that MRI-detectable improvements in ventilation heterogeneity will be observed in asthmatics.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
27
Monoclonal antibody designed for the treatment asthma.
Matched placebo.
Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Change in pre-bronchodilator 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP).
Change from baseline to week 16 in the pre-bronchodilator 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP).
Time frame: 16 weeks from randomization (week 0) to endpoint assessment (week 16)
Change in the post-bronchodilator 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP).
Change in the post-bronchodilator 129Xe MRI ventilation defect percent (VDP) measured as percent of total ventilation.
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the CT mucus score (i.e. intraluminal plugging).
Change in the CT mucus score (i.e. intraluminal plugging) measured using a mucus score.
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the CT airway lumen area.
Change in the CT airway lumen area measured in mm\^2.
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the CT airway wall area.
Change in the CT airway wall area measured in mm\^2.
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the CT airway wall area percentage.
Change in the CT airway wall area percentage measured as a percentage of total airway area (wall area + airway lumen).
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the CT total airway count.
Change in the CT total airway count
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change in the CT gas trapping.
Change in the CT gas trapping
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)
Change in the post-bronchodilator reversibility of 129Xe MRI VDP.
Change in the post-bronchodilator reversibility of 129Xe MRI VDP measured by ventilation defect percentage of total ventilation
Time frame: From baseline (week 0) to endpoint (week 16)