Study of Pulmozyme to Treat Severe Asthma Episodes
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Asthma |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 55 |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | January 2004 |
| End Date: | September 2006 |
Use of Aerosolized rhDNase (Pulmozyme®) in Emergency Department Adults With Refractory Acute Asthma: A Pilot Study
Even with current standard ED treatments 20-25% of patients presenting to the ED with an
acute asthma episode will still require hospitalization. For patients unresponsive to
beta-agonists the admit rates will be higher. Of those well enough to be discharged from the
ED nearly 30% will relapse within one month. More than 5,000 patients with asthma still die
each year in the USA. For patients who do not respond to beta-agonists, there are relatively
few treatment options for rapid improvement of symptoms and pulmonary function. Presumably,
mucous secretion and plugging play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe asthma
unresponsive to beta-agonists. The use of agents to promote clearance of intra-luminal
secretions and mucous plugs may represent an important advance in the management of acutely
ill asthmatics, both to hasten recovery and prevent deterioration in the acute care setting
and to prevent relapse after discharge from the ED.
OBJECTIVES
2.1 Study Hypothesis: rhDNAse can be safely used in patients presenting to the Emergency
Department with acute moderate-severe asthma who do not have adequate responses to
beta-agonists
Project Specific Aim: This is a pilot study to determine the safety of three different doses
of pulmozyme® (2.5mg, 5.0mg and 7.5mg) in patients presenting to the ED with acute asthma.
In addition to safety trends for improvement in pulmonary function and clinical outcomes
will be monitored and data analyzed. Based on the safety profile and observable responses to
treatment, this information may be used to develop larger trials to determine the efficacy
and dosing strategy for treating acutely ill asthmatics with rhDNAse.
acute asthma episode will still require hospitalization. For patients unresponsive to
beta-agonists the admit rates will be higher. Of those well enough to be discharged from the
ED nearly 30% will relapse within one month. More than 5,000 patients with asthma still die
each year in the USA. For patients who do not respond to beta-agonists, there are relatively
few treatment options for rapid improvement of symptoms and pulmonary function. Presumably,
mucous secretion and plugging play an important role in the pathogenesis of severe asthma
unresponsive to beta-agonists. The use of agents to promote clearance of intra-luminal
secretions and mucous plugs may represent an important advance in the management of acutely
ill asthmatics, both to hasten recovery and prevent deterioration in the acute care setting
and to prevent relapse after discharge from the ED.
OBJECTIVES
2.1 Study Hypothesis: rhDNAse can be safely used in patients presenting to the Emergency
Department with acute moderate-severe asthma who do not have adequate responses to
beta-agonists
Project Specific Aim: This is a pilot study to determine the safety of three different doses
of pulmozyme® (2.5mg, 5.0mg and 7.5mg) in patients presenting to the ED with acute asthma.
In addition to safety trends for improvement in pulmonary function and clinical outcomes
will be monitored and data analyzed. Based on the safety profile and observable responses to
treatment, this information may be used to develop larger trials to determine the efficacy
and dosing strategy for treating acutely ill asthmatics with rhDNAse.
Inclusion Criteria:
acute asthma FEV1<60% post-standard care age 18-55 years -
Exclusion Criteria:
other chronic lung illness pregnancy -
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