Design of the INPULSIS™ trials: two phase 3 trials of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Respir Med. 2014 Jul;108(7):1023-30. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2014.04.011. Epub 2014 Apr 29.

Abstract

Background: Nintedanib is in clinical development as a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Data from the Phase II TOMORROW study suggested that nintedanib 150 mg twice daily had clinical benefits with an acceptable safety profile.

Methods: The INPULSIS™ trials are replicate Phase III, randomized, double-blind, studies comparing the efficacy and safety of nintedanib 150 mg twice daily with placebo in patients with IPF. Eligible patients were aged ≥40 years with a diagnosis of IPF within 5 years before randomization who had undergone a chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan within 1-year before screening, and who had a forced vital capacity (FVC) of ≥50% predicted and a diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide of 30-79% predicted. Participants were randomized 3:2 to receive nintedanib or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary endpoint is the annual rate of decline in FVC. The key secondary endpoints are change from baseline in the total score on the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (a measure of health-related quality of life) over 52 weeks and time to first acute exacerbation.

Results: Enrolment of 1066 patients in 24 countries was completed in September 2012. Results will be reported in the first half of 2014.

Conclusion: The INPULSIS™ trials will determine the efficacy of nintedanib in patients with IPF, including its impact on disease progression as defined by decline in FVC, acute exacerbations and health-related quality of life. In addition, they will characterise the adverse event profile of nintedanib in this patient population.

Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifiers: NCT01335464 and NCT01335477).

Keywords: Clinical trial; Drug therapy; Phase III; Protein kinase inhibitor; Protein tyrosine kinases.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / methods*
  • Disease Progression
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Humans
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Indoles / administration & dosage
  • Indoles / adverse effects
  • Indoles / therapeutic use*
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Patient Selection
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • Research Design
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vital Capacity / drug effects

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • nintedanib

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01335464
  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01335477