Sansores RH, Ramírez-Venegas A, Montiel-Lopez F, Domínguez-Arellano S, Alva-Lopez LF, Falfán-Valencia R, Pérez-Rubio G, Olaya-López E, Zavaleta-Martínez EO, Aguilar-Medina S, Escobar-Alvarado JC, Poo JL, Matera MG, Cazzola M. Prolonged-release pirfenidone in patients with pulmonary fibrosis as a phenotype of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia. Safety and efficacy.
Respir Med 2023;
217:107362. [PMID:
37451648 DOI:
10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107362]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
One of the major concerns with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is the development of pulmonary fibrosis, for which no approved pharmacological treatment exists. Therefore, the primary aim of this open-label study was to evaluate the safety and the potential clinical efficacy of a prolonged-release pirfenidone formulation (PR-PFD) in patients having PASC-pulmonary fibrosis.
METHODS
Patients with PASC-pulmonary fibrosis received PR-PFD 1800 mg/day (1200 mg in the morning after breakfast and 600 mg in the evening after dinner) for three months. Blood samples were taken to confirm the pharmacokinetics of PR-PFD, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated monthly using a short questionnaire. Symptoms, dyspnea, and pulmonary function tests (spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, plethysmography, and 6-min walk test [6MWT]) were evaluated at baseline, and one and three months after having started the PR-PFD treatment.
RESULTS
Seventy subjects with mild to moderate lung restriction were included. The most common AEs were diarrhea (23%), heartburn (23%), and headache (16%), for which no modifications in the drug study were needed. Two patients died within the first 30 days of enrolment, and three opted not to continue the study, events which were not associate with PR-PFD. Pulmonary function testing, 6MWT, dyspnea, symptoms, and CT scan significantly improved after three months of treatment with PR-PFD.
CONCLUSION
In patients with PASC pulmonary fibrosis, three months' treatment with PR-PFD was safe and showed therapeutic efficacy. Still, it remains to be seen whether the pulmonary fibrotic process remains stable, becomes progressive or will improve.
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