Utility of nintedanib for severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a single-center retrospective study

Elderly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients remain on therapy despite higher incidence of adverse events and dose reductions

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) predominantly affects people over the age of 60 years and its incidence increases with age. Limited data is available on the use of antifibrotics in the elderly IPF population. We aimed to examine the tolerability and safety of antifibrotics (pirfenidone, nintedanib) in elderly patients with IPF in a real-world setting.

METHODS

Medical records of 284 elderly (≥75 years) and 446 non-elderly IPF patients (<75 years) were retrospectively analyzed in this multi-center study. Patient characteristics, treatments, adverse events (AEs), tolerability, hospitalizations, exacerbations, and mortality were compared between the elderly and non-elderly group.

RESULTS

In the elderly group, the mean age was 79 years and the mean antifibrotic treatment duration was 26.1 months. The most commonly reported AEs were weight loss, loss of appetite and nausea. Elderly IPF patients had a significantly higher incidence of AEs (62.9% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.039) and dose reductions (27.4% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.003) than the non-elderly did, but the rate of discontinuation of antifibrotics was not different between groups (13% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.352). In addition, the severity of the disease, frequency of hospitalizations, exacerbations, and mortality rates were higher in elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that elderly IPF patients experienced significantly increased AEs and dose reductions due to antifibrotic use, while the discontinuation rates of the drugs were similar to those of drugs used by non-elderly patients.

A Narrative Review of Real-World Data on the Safety of Nintedanib in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. Placebo-controlled trials showed that the adverse event profile of nintedanib was characterised mainly by gastrointestinal events, particularly diarrhoea. We review the data from all published real-world studies of the safety of nintedanib in patients with IPF. These real-world data were consistent with the safety profile observed in clinical trials and described in the product label. The most common adverse events were diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, but these infrequently led to permanent treatment discontinuation. Liver enzyme elevations were observed, supporting the recommendation for regular monitoring of liver enzymes, particularly in the first few months of treatment. Bleeding and cardiovascular adverse events were rarely reported. As in clinical trials, in real-world studies, reductions of the nintedanib dose, treatment interruptions and use of anti-diarrhoeal medications were frequently employed to manage adverse events. Few data are available on the use of nintedanib in patients who are elderly or have advanced disease, but there are some data to suggest a greater rate of treatment discontinuation in these patients. Effective management of adverse events associated with nintedanib is important to minimise their impact.

Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial fibrotic disease that leads to disability and death within 5 years of diagnosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease with a multifactorial etiology. The concept of aberrant regeneration of the pulmonary epithelium reveals the pathogenesis of IPF, according to which repeated damage and death of alveolar epithelial cells is the main mechanism leading to the development of progressive IPF. Cell death provokes the migration, proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, which overproduce extracellular matrix, resulting in fibrotic deformity of the lung tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising therapies for pulmonary fibrosis. MSCs, and EVs derived from MSCs, modulate the activity of immune cells, inhibit the expression of profibrotic genes, reduce collagen deposition and promote the repair of damaged lung tissue. This review considers the molecular mechanisms of the development of IPF and the multifaceted role of MSCs in the therapy of IPF. Currently, EVs-MSCs are regarded as a promising cell-free therapy tool, so in this review we discuss the results available to date of the use of EVs-MSCs for lung tissue repair.

[French practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of IPF - 2021 update, full version]

BACKGROUND

Since the previous French guidelines were published in 2017, substantial additional knowledge about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has accumulated.

METHODS

Under the auspices of the French-speaking Learned Society of Pulmonology and at the initiative of the coordinating reference center, practical guidelines for treatment of rare pulmonary diseases have been established. They were elaborated by groups of writers, reviewers and coordinators with the help of the OrphaLung network, as well as pulmonologists with varying practice modalities, radiologists, pathologists, a general practitioner, a head nurse, and a patients' association. The method was developed according to rules entitled "Good clinical practice" in the overall framework of the "Guidelines for clinical practice" of the official French health authority (HAS), taking into account the results of an online vote using a Likert scale.

RESULTS

After analysis of the literature, 54 recommendations were formulated, improved, and validated by the working groups. The recommendations covered a wide-ranging aspects of the disease and its treatment: epidemiology, diagnostic modalities, quality criteria and interpretation of chest CT, indication and modalities of lung biopsy, etiologic workup, approach to familial disease entailing indications and modalities of genetic testing, evaluation of possible functional impairments and prognosis, indications for and use of antifibrotic therapy, lung transplantation, symptom management, comorbidities and complications, treatment of chronic respiratory failure, diagnosis and management of acute exacerbations of fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

These evidence-based guidelines are aimed at guiding the diagnosis and the management in clinical practice of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

French practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - 2021 update. Full-length version

BACKGROUND

Since the latest 2017 French guidelines, knowledge about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has evolved considerably.

METHODS

Practical guidelines were drafted on the initiative of the Coordinating Reference Center for Rare Pulmonary Diseases, led by the French Language Pulmonology Society (SPLF), by a coordinating group, a writing group, and a review group, with the involvement of the entire OrphaLung network, pulmonologists practicing in various settings, radiologists, pathologists, a general practitioner, a health manager, and a patient association. The method followed the "Clinical Practice Guidelines" process of the French National Authority for Health (HAS), including an online vote using a Likert scale.

RESULTS

After a literature review, 54 guidelines were formulated, improved, and then validated by the working groups. These guidelines addressed multiple aspects of the disease: epidemiology, diagnostic procedures, quality criteria and interpretation of chest CT scans, lung biopsy indication and procedures, etiological workup, methods and indications for family screening and genetic testing, assessment of the functional impairment and prognosis, indication and use of antifibrotic agents, lung transplantation, management of symptoms, comorbidities and complications, treatment of chronic respiratory failure, diagnosis and management of acute exacerbations of fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

These evidence-based guidelines are intended to guide the diagnosis and practical management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Tolerability of nintedanib in the elderly with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A single-center retrospective study

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fibrosing interstitial lung disease, predominantly affects the elderly and is associated with a high mortality risk. Nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, significantly reduces IPF progression. However, data on the tolerability and efficacy of nintedanib in the elderly with IPF are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the tolerability and efficacy of nintedanib in the elderly with IPF in a real-world setting. Medical records of 19 elderly IPF patients (≥ 75 years) and 46 non-elderly IPF patients (< 75 years) newly administered nintedanib were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the forced vital capacity (FVC) level, incidence and severity of adverse events, and continuation rates of nintedanib between the two groups. FVC and percent predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) were lower in the elderly IPF group at baseline. Although the elderly IPF patients had a significantly higher incidence of adverse events, such as diarrhea, nausea, and elevation of hepatic enzymes, the rate of discontinuation of nintedanib owing to adverse events was not different between the groups. The continuation rates of nintedanib treatment at 6 months and 1 year in the elderly IPF group were equivalent. Furthermore, there was a similar trend in the reduction of the annual FVC decline after nintedanib initiation between the groups. Our study demonstrated that nintedanib was tolerable in both the IPF patient groups in a real-world setting. Proper management of adverse events in the elderly with IPF would lead to a better clinical outcome.

Efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese patients with early-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a study protocol for an observational study

INTRODUCTION

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrotic disease of unknown aetiology with a poor prognosis. Several clinical trials of nintedanib in patients with IPF have reported its inhibitory effect on reduced lung function, incidence of acute exacerbation of IPF and worsened health-related quality of life. Although nintedanib has a manageable safety and tolerability profile over long-term use, it was discontinued in over 20% of patients because of adverse events such as diarrhoea and liver dysfunction. This might explain why nintedanib use in patients with IPF is not widespread, especially among patients with early-stage IPF. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the efficacy, safety and tolerability of nintedanib in patients with stage I/II IPF, based on the Japanese IPF disease severity staging classification system.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is an ongoing, prospective, multicentre observational cohort study of patients with stage I/II IPF who will start receiving nintedanib. Totally, 215 patients at 35 sites in Kyushu and Okinawa, Japan will be enrolled and followed up for 3 years. Nintedanib therapy would be initiated at the discretion of the investigator. The primary endpoint, change in forced vital capacity (FVC) at 156 weeks, will be shown as the mean change in FVC from baseline to week 156 with 95% CIs estimated using the Wald method. The safety endpoint-occurrence of adverse events-will be assessed in each system organ class/preferred term.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol and informed consent documents were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Nagasaki University Hospital (approval number 19102146) and each participating site. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Patient recruitment has begun. The results will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed publications and national and international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000038192.

The efficacy of nintedanib in 158 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in real-world settings: A multicenter retrospective study

Background:

The INPULSIS trials revealed that nintedanib reduced the decline in lung function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients in real-world settings.

Method:

Medical records of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, who received treatment with nintedanib in five institutions between July 2015 and June 2017, were reviewed. Patients with % forced vital capacity ⩾50% and % predicted diffusing capacity of the lung carbon monoxide ⩾30% were classified as the moderate group and those with more impaired lung functions as the severe group.

Result:

Among 158 patients analyzed, 132 (84.6%) were classified as the moderate group and 26 (15.4%) as the severe group. In the moderate group, changes in forced vital capacity in 12 months were significantly different between before and after nintedanib administration (−253 ± 163 vs −125 ± 235 mL; p = 0.0027). In contrast, changes in forced vital capacity in 12 months were not significantly changed by nintedanib treatment in the severe group (−353 ± 250 vs −112 ± 341 mL; p = 0.2374). Incidence of acute exacerbation was higher in the severe group than in the moderate group (30.8% vs 18.9%). The overall survival of the moderate and the severe groups was 17.2 and 10.1 months.

Conclusion:

In real-world practice, nintedanib showed comparable efficacy to those observed in previous trials. In the severe group, the efficacy of nintedanib might be limited.

Baseline plasma KL-6 level predicts adverse outcomes in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis receiving nintedanib: a retrospective real-world cohort study

Background

Nintedanib is effective for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but some patients may exhibit a suboptimal response and develop on-treatment acute exacerbation (AE-IPF), hepatic injury, or mortality. It remains unclear which patients are at risk for these adverse outcomes.

Methods

We analysed the demographic and clinical data, baseline plasma levels of Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) and surfactant protein A (SPA), and longitudinal clinical courses of a real-world cohort of IPF patients who received nintedanib ≥ 14 days between March 2017 and December 2020. Cox proportional-hazards regression, subdistribution hazards regression, and sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the association between baseline predictors and AE-IPF, mortality, and nintedanib-related hepatic injury. The relationship between baseline predictors and pulmonary function decline was determined.

Results

Fifty-seven patients were included, of whom 24 (42%) developed hepatic injury, 20 (35%) had AE-IPF, and 16 (28%) died on-treatment. A baseline plasma KL-6 level ≥ 2.5 ng/mL, and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (D_LCO) < 55% predicted, were associated with increased risk of hepatic injury (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] was 3.46; 95% CI 1.13–10.60; p = 0.029 for KL-6, and 6.05; 95% CI 1.89–19.32; p = 0.002 for D_LCO). Both factors also predicted severe and recurrent hepatic injury. Patients with baseline KL-6 ≥ 2.5 ng/mL also had a higher risk of AE-IPF (aHR 4.52; 95% CI 1.63–12.55; p = 0.004). For on-treatment mortality, baseline KL-6 ≥ 3.5 ng/mL and SPA ≥ 600 pg/mL were significant predictors (aHR 5.39; 95% CI 1.16–24.97; p = 0.031 for KL-6, and aHR 12.28; 95% CI 2.06–73.05; p = 0.006 for SPA). Results from subdistribution hazard regression and sensitivity analyses supported these findings. Patients with elevated baseline plasma KL-6 levels also exhibited a trend towards faster pulmonary function decline.

Conclusions

For patients with IPF who are receiving nintedanib, we have identified baseline predictors, in particular plasma KL-6 levels, for the risk of adverse outcomes. Patients with these predictors may require close monitoring for unfavourable responses during treatment. Our findings also support the prognostic role of molecular markers like KL-6 and may contribute to future formulation of more individualized therapeutic strategies for IPF.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-021-01530-6.

Cardiovascular safety of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib

The intracellular tyrosine kinase inhibitor nintedanib has shown great efficacy for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other interstitial lung diseases. However, the incidence rate of myocardial infarction (MI) among participants in landmark IPF trials was remarkable, peaking at 3/100 patient-years. Although subjects with IPF often have a high cardiovascular (CV) risk profile, the occurrence of MI in nintedanib-treated patients may not be fully explained by clustering of CV risk factors. Nintedanib inhibits the vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor pathways, which play important roles in the biology of the atherosclerotic plaque and in the response of the heart to ischaemia. Hence, unwanted CV effects may partly account for nintedanib-related MI. We review the evidence supporting this hypothesis and discuss possible actions for a safe implementation of nintedanib in clinical practice, building on the experience with tyrosine kinase inhibitors acquired in cardio-oncology.

A Clinical Model for the Prediction of Acute Exacerbation Risk in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Objective

To develop and validate a risk assessment model for the prediction of the acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods

We enrolled a total of 110 patients with IPF, hospitalized or treated as outpatients at Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from July 2012 to July 2020. Of these, 78 and 32 patients were randomly assigned to training and test groups, respectively. The risk factors for AE-IPF were analyzed using logistic regression analysis, and a nomographic model was constructed. The accuracy, degree of calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model were assessed with the consistency index (C-index), calibration diagram, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, the stability of the model was tested using internal validation.

Results

The results of logistic regression analysis showed that a history of occupational exposure, diabetes mellitus (DM), essential hypertension (EH), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)% predicted were independent risk factors for AE-IPF prediction. The nomographic model was constructed based on these independent risk factors, and the C-index was 0.80. The C-index for the internal validation was 0.75, suggesting that the model had good accuracy. The decision curve indicated that for a threshold value of 0.04-0.66, greater clinical benefit was obtained with the AE-IPF risk prediction model.

Conclusion

A customized AE-IPF prediction model based on a history of occupational exposure, DM, EH, and DLCO% predicted provided a reference for the clinical prediction of AE-IPF.

Tolerability and safety of nintedanib in elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

In the phase III trial of nintedanib, only 10.8% of participants were aged ≥75 years. Here, we aimed to evaluate the tolerability and safety of nintedanib in elderly patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

METHODS

In total, 71 consecutive patients with (1) IPF, (2) age ≥75 years, and (3) newly prescribed nintedanib from September 2015 to April 2018 (elderly group) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, treatment status, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the elderly group and 126 patients with IPF, aged <75 years, with newly prescribed nintedanib during the same period (non-elderly group).

RESULTS

In the elderly group, 32 patients (46.4%) discontinued nintedanib within 6 months. Body size was significantly smaller, the incidence rates of anorexia and nausea were significantly higher, and early termination within 6 months were more common in the elderly than in the non-elderly group. In elderly patients, a univariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) and percentage forced vital capacity (FVC) were risk factors for early termination (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). A low initial nintedanib dose did not reduce the incidence of AEs and early termination rate in the elderly group.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients with IPF, the incidence of early nintedanib termination was higher, and anorexia and nausea were common AEs compared with those in non-elderly IPF patients. Treatment was frequently discontinued in elderly patients with low BMI and FVC, and chest physicians should be aware that nintedanib therapy may result in early termination in these patients.

Nintedanib can be used safely and effectively for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with predicted forced vital capacity ≤ 50%: A multi-center retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Nintedanib is a multi-kinase inhibitor approved for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, its efficacy and safety for patients with IPF and restricted pulmonary function remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nintedanib for patients with IPF and forced vital capacity (FVC) ≤ 50%.

METHODS

This was a multi-center retrospective study performed by the Okayama Respiratory Disease Study Group. Patients were allocated into FVC ≤ 50% and FVC > 50% groups based on their predicted FVC. The primary endpoints were FVC changes from baseline after 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

45 patients were eligible for the study. 18 patients had FVC ≤ 50%, and 27 patients had FVC > 50%. Overall, 31 and 19 patients underwent pulmonary function tests at 6 and 12 months after initiating nintedanib, respectively. FVC changes from baseline at 6 and 12 months after initiating nintedanib were comparable between the two groups. Adverse events were seen in all patients, and the rates of patients who discontinued nintedanib were also comparable (38.9% vs. 37.0%, p = 1.000). Multiple regression analysis showed that age and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC were negatively correlated with changes in FVC at 6 months after initiating nintedanib.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that nintedanib can be a useful agent for IPF patients, including those with a low FVC, and that age and FEV1/FVC are predictive markers for changes in FVC following nintedanib treatment.

Efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND

The two 52-week INPULSIS trials investigated nintedanib versus placebo in patients with IPF, FVC ≥50% predicted and DLco 30-79% predicted. The 24-week INSTAGE trial investigated nintedanib plus sildenafil versus nintedanib alone in patients with IPF and DLco ≤35% predicted. We used data from INPULSIS and INSTAGE to compare the effects of nintedanib in patients with IPF with less versus more severe impairment in gas exchange at baseline.

METHODS

Analyses were conducted in patients treated with nintedanib alone in the INPULSIS and INSTAGE trials and in patients treated with placebo in the INPULSIS trials. Outcomes included the rate of decline in FVC over 24 weeks, the proportions of patients who had a confirmed or suspected idiopathic acute exacerbation over 24 weeks, deaths over 24 weeks, and adverse events. Analyses were descriptive.

RESULTS

In total, 638 and 136 patients received nintedanib alone in the INPULSIS and INSTAGE trials, respectively, and 423 patients received placebo in the INPULSIS trials. Rates of FVC decline were - 52.3 and - 66.7 mL/24 weeks in patients treated with nintedanib alone in INPULSIS and INSTAGE, respectively, and - 102.8 mL/24 weeks in patients treated with placebo in INPULSIS. Confirmed or suspected idiopathic acute exacerbations were reported in 0.6 and 3.7% of patients treated with nintedanib alone in INPULSIS and INSTAGE, respectively, and 2.1% of patients treated with placebo in INPULSIS. Deaths occurred in 2.0, 11.0 and 1.9% of patients in these groups, respectively. Diarrhoea adverse events were reported in 52.5 and 48.5% of patients treated with nintedanib alone in INPULSIS and INSTAGE, respectively, and 16.1% of patients treated with placebo in INPULSIS.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on data from the INSTAGE and INPULSIS trials, nintedanib had a similar effect on FVC decline over 24 weeks, and a similar safety and tolerability profile, in patients with IPF and more versus less severe impairment in gas exchange. These data support the use of nintedanib in patients with IPF who have advanced disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

INPULSIS (NCT01335464 and NCT01335477); INSTAGE (NCT02802345).

Gastrointestinal adverse effects of nintedanib and the associated risk factors in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Nausea and diarrhea are the most common adverse effects of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the clinical risk factors for these side effects remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the characteristics of patients who developed gastrointestinal side effects during nintedanib treatment for IPF and determined the risk factors for these side effects. We enrolled 77 patients with IPF who received nintedanib between October 2015 and March 2018. Performance status (PS) as a patient’s general condition, body mass index (BMI), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale score, severity of IPF at nintedanib initiation, and gastrointestinal toxicity of nintedanib were evaluated. In total, 25 and 27 patients exhibited nausea and diarrhea, respectively, during the follow-up period. A poor PS, low BMI, and full dosage of nintedanib at treatment initiation were risk factors for nausea. A low BMI was a significant risk factor for diarrhea, which could be prevented by combination treatment with nintedanib and prednisolone. In addition, the mean annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity was significantly greater in patients with nausea than in patients without nausea. In conclusion, our findings suggest that patients with a low BMI and/or poor PS and those who receive the full nintedanib dosage at treatment initiation are more susceptible to gastrointestinal adverse effects during nintedanib treatment. Addition of prednisolone to the treatment regimen may prevent the development of diarrhea during treatment.

Management of Chronic Respiratory Failure in Interstitial Lung Diseases: Overview and Clinical Insights

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) may be complicated by chronic respiratory failure (CRF), especially in the advanced stages. Aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the current evidence in management of CRF in ILDs. Many physiological mechanisms underlie CRF in ILDs, including lung restriction, ventilation/perfusion mismatch, impaired diffusion capacity and pulmonary vascular damage. Intermittent exertional hypoxemia is often the initial sign of CRF, evolving, as ILD progresses, into continuous hypoxemia. In the majority of the cases, the development of CRF is secondary to the worsening of the underlying disease; however, associated comorbidities may also play a role. When managing CRF in ILDs, the need for pulmonary rehabilitation, the referral to lung transplant centers and palliative care should be assessed and, if necessary, promptly offered. Long-term oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed in case of resting or exertional hypoxemia with the purpose to decrease dyspnea and improve exercise tolerance. High-Flow Nasal Cannula oxygen therapy may be used as an alternative to conventional oxygen therapy for ILD patients with severe hypoxemia requiring both high flows and high oxygen concentrations. Non-Invasive Ventilation may be used in the chronic setting for palliation of end-stage ILD patients, although the evidence to support this application is very limited.