Real-world improvement in ultra-low-dose thoracic computed tomography scores, systemic inflammatory markers and patient-reported outcome measures after elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ ivacaftor treatment

  • Hisham Ibrahim
  • , Alexander T. O’mahony
  • , Kevin F. Deasy
  • , Michael Waldron
  • , Mairead McCarthy
  • , James Dorgan
  • , Claire Fleming
  • , Ciara Howlett
  • , Edel O’riordan
  • , Yvonne McCarthy
  • , Sarah Twohig
  • , Janice Mansfield
  • , Tamara Vagg
  • , Desmond M. Murphy
  • , Paul O’regan
  • , Laura Kirwan
  • , Joseph A. Eustace
  • , Owenj O’connor
  • , Michael M. Maher
  • , Barry J. Plant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background Clinical trials with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) in people with cystic fibrosis were associated with significant improvements in % predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 % pred), sweat chloride, weight and quality of life in the respiratory domain from the cystic fibrosis questionnaire revised (CFQ-R). Limited data exist on its effect on structural lung disease and inflammatory cytokines. Methods In a real-world setting with 61 people with cystic fibrosis, we prospectively recorded FEV1, sweat chloride, body mass index (BMI) and CFQ-R at baseline, 3 and 6 months after commencement of ETI. In addition, changes in ultra-low-dose (ULD) computed tomography (CT) Bhalla score, peripheral-blood and sputum inflammatory cytokines and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including sino-nasal outcomes test-22 (SNOT-22) and fatigue scale (FACIT-Fatigue). Results Significant improvements in FEV1 % pred (p=0.0001), sweat chloride (p<0.0001) and BMI (p=0.0147) after ETI treatment were noted. ULD-CT scores demonstrated reductions in peri-bronchial thickening, mucus plugging and total Bhalla score (p<0.001), and improvements in emphysema extent (p<0.0027). Improvements in systemic inflammatory status were seen with a reduction in interleukin (IL)-1β (p=0.0049), IL-6 and IL-8 (p<0.0001), and increasing IL-10 (p=0.004). Sputum cytokine analysis was not performed as only four of 61 patients spontaneously expectorated sputum after ETI. PROMs improved significantly for the SNOT-22 (p<0.0001), FACIT-Fatigue score (p=0.0001) and CFQ-R domains, including respiratory (p<0.0001), physical (p=0.007), vitality (p=0.0004), treatment burden (p=0.0028), health (p=0.0007), social (p=0.0073), weight (p=0.0068) and role/school domain (p=0.0018). Conclusion ETI responders, demonstrate significant improvements in CT imaging, circulating cytokines and PROMs, which may be of further use evaluating cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulation treatment response.

Original languageEnglish
Article number00897-2024
JournalERJ Open Research
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2025

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