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The goal of this trial was to explore the utility of evaluating emphysema progression through CT scans measuring lung density during a 2 year period of weekly infusions of either placebo or human alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT; Prolastin®). Exacerbation data recorded in patient diaries were also collected. All efficacy data were analyzed for potential use in evaluating Prolastin in this and other clinical trials.
This was a one to one randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical, exploratory study with the aim of collecting information on possible clinical endpoints, i.e., the progression of emphysema by lung density measurements with CT scan and frequency of exacerbations, that could be used for a subsequent placebo controlled clinical trial. Progression of disease was investigated in 77 patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, who were treated with AAT or placebo weekly for two years to analyze the effect of treatment on lung density and exacerbations. Targeted augmentation therapy with weekly infusions of Prolastin® was a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight (range of 51.72 to 71.43 mg per kg body weight.)
Therefore, this study focused on several questions:
• Is the 15th percentile point calculated by analysis of CT lung histograms a useful endpoint for clinical trials in AAT deficiency?
• Is quantitation of exacerbations in AAT-deficient patients a useful endpoint for clinical trials in AAT deficiency?
• Are there significant differences between the treatments in favor of Prolastin®?
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