Effects of blocking a messaging protein called TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin) on inflammation in the airways

ISRCTN ISRCTN14181775
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14181775
IRAS number 1006721
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT05507242
Secondary identifying numbers 0886, IRAS 1006721, CPMS 60939
Submission date
12/05/2023
Registration date
14/02/2024
Last edited
04/03/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Respiratory
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly common chronic lung disease which carries a significant burden for both patients and healthcare systems. Treatment has been limited for several years. Recent studies have shown a promising new target in treating asthma – thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a protein released when the airways are irritated. This causes an increase in airway inflammation and therefore the symptoms of COPD. Blocking or reducing this with a medication called tezepelumab has been shown to reduce airway inflammation in asthma. Other studies have also shown reduced symptoms and exacerbations in a diverse group of asthma patients, including those who do not demonstrate a high level of allergic-type inflammation. This study will investigate the effect of this medication on the airways of people who suffer from COPD.

Who can participate?
People aged over 40 years old with moderate to severe COPD

What does the study involve?
Patients will be recruited to three sites – Copenhagen, Leicester and London. These will be people with moderate to severe COPD, on standard inhaled treatment with at least one exacerbation in the preceding twelve months. Those who are willing to be involved and fulfil screening criteria will have various baseline blood and breathing tests along with questionnaires completed. Everyone will undergo a bronchoscopy – a test where a fine, flexible camera is inserted into the lungs and samples and biopsies can be taken. 50% of people will be randomised to receive the medication and 50% will receive a placebo. Each person and the team looking after them directly will not know which one they are receiving. They will receive this 4 weekly for 5 doses total, then undergo a repeat bronchoscopy and other tests. The total study time will be approximately 22 weeks. If this trial is successful it may contribute to evidence allowing us to use tezepelumab to treat COPD in future.

Participants will be required to undergo two research bronchoscopies. This is generally a safe procedure but rarely serious complications can occur - including bleeding, collapsed lung, cardiac arrhythmias and very rarely death. This is a key part of the trial as it is the way to obtain the samples which will be studied to look for the effect of the IMP. The risks and benefits will be fully discussed with patients before the procedure in a formal consent process. To minimise risks only patients with FEV1 >30% predicted and >1L will be recruited. All bronchoscopies will be performed in a fully equipped bronchoscopy suite with emergency facilities, by experienced practitioners. A follow-up phone call will be made within 3 days of each bronchoscopy to ensure no adverse events. Some people find bronchoscopy very uncomfortable and can be left with a hoarse voice afterwards. It is also not uncommon to have a temperature in the 24-48 hours after the procedure. Detailed information about the procedure will be available in advance and discussed thoroughly.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The trial medication may cause some adverse side effects, although in previous studies it has been shown to have a favourable side effect profile. Any adverse events will be managed accordingly.

The study involves 8 visits to the research unit which may cause inconvenience. Participants will receive reimbursement and travel expenses. There are also two phone calls post-bronchoscopy visits. These will be scheduled to occur at a convenient time if possible.

Where is the study run from?
University of Leicester (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
May 2023 to May 2025

Who is funding the study?
AstraZeneca (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Cara Flynn, caf26@leicester.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Chris Brightling
Principal Investigator

Glenfield Hospital
Leicester
LE3 9QP
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)116 250 2704
Email ceb17@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Cara Flynn
Public, Scientific

NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre - Respiratory
Glenfield Hospital
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9QP
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0009-0005-9326-966X
Phone +44 (0)116 258 3692
Email caf26@leicester.ac.uk

Study information

Study designRandomized placebo-controlled double-blind parallel-group study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital, Telephone
Study typeEfficacy
Scientific titleEffects of blocking TSLP on airway inflammation and the epithelial immune response to exacerbation triggers in patients with COPD (UPSTREAM-COPD)
Study acronymUPSTREAM-COPD
Study hypothesisTo assess the effect of tezepelumab on airway inflammation in people with COPD. We have evidence that this works to reduce airway inflammation in people with severe asthma and wish to investigate if there is a similar effect in COPD, specifically looking at a form of inflammation called eosinophilic inflammation. Eosinophilic inflammation is similar to the changes we see in some forms of asthma.

To investigate the effect of tezepelumab on other forms of airway inflammation, other inflammatory markers, RNA gene expression, markers of airway healing and lung function along with symptom and quality of life questionnaires.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 03/11/2023, Yorkshire and Humber - Leeds East REC (2 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 104 8171, (0)207 104 8357; leedseast.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 23/YH/0117

Ethics approval additional informationApproval pending, ref: 23/YH/0117
ConditionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
InterventionParticipants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to IMP versus placebo. The trial team and participants will be blinded to treatment assignment. Randomisation will be stratified based on blood eosinophil counts at baseline (< or ≥ 0.2 x109 /L) and smoking status.  The blocked randomisation method will be used in this study. Pre-defined clusters of randomised strata will be distributed from the Danish site along with study medication and randomisation in sealed envelopes before the start of the study. Once all eligibility criteria are met, the study nurse will enter the data on smoking status and baseline eosinophil count. The assigned strata with randomised IDs will be subsequently generated.

The drug arm will receive 210 mg tezepelumab, given by subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks for a total of 5 doses. The placebo arm will receive a blinded dose of 0.9% saline subcutaneously at the same frequency and for the same duration. These will be administered by trial staff at each visit. Both arms receive the same follow-up.

The central pharmacy from the Denmark site will be responsible for receiving and labelling IMP for all sites according to a randomisation list prepared by a computerized system. They will inform the local pharmacy/team which numbered vial to administer to each patient as randomised. They will centrally monitor the stock of IMP and placebo in each site, ensuring appropriate stocks are always available. Clinical teams at all sites will be blinded to the intervention.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)Pharmacogenetic
PhasePhase II
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Tezepelumab
Primary outcome measureThe change in eosinophil cell counts in bronchial mucosa is measured using the samples obtained in bronchial biopsy using immunohistochemistry (IHC) at baseline and end of study (week 20)
Secondary outcome measuresEvaluating the effect of tezepelumab on bronchial mucosal tissue inflammation by measuring the change in inflammatory cell counts using immunohistochemistry from baseline to week 20
Overall study start date10/05/2023
Overall study end date31/05/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
Lower age limit40 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants80
Participant inclusion criteria1. Willing and able to consent to participate in the trial
2. Clinically diagnosed chronic obstructive airway disease with post bronchodilator FEV1 ≥ 30% to 80% predicted value (and ≥ 1.0L)
3. Age ≥ 40 years old
4. Current or ex-smokers with ≥ 10 pack years past smoking history
5. Stable airway disease status on maintenance inhaled therapy (LAMA+LABA±ICS) for at least 3 months prior to screening
6. History of ≥1 moderate to severe exacerbation event treated with prednisolone and/or antibiotic in the past 12 months  
7. Good compliance with daily inhaler regime (≥ 70% adherence rate) at screening
Participant exclusion criteria1. History of unstable or severe cardiac, hepatic, thyrotoxicosis, concomitant respiratory or renal disease, or other medically significant illness, which the investigator believes, would be a contraindication to study participation.
2. Significant concomitant respiratory disease such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, aspergillosis, active or untreated primary tuberculosis.
3. Any significant abnormal laboratory results at screening, which in the opinion of the investigator, may put the subject at risk to take part in the study,
4. Current diagnosis of Asthma
5. Previous Lung volume reduction surgery for the indication of COPD
6. Any use of home oxygen therapy
7. Patients with clinically significant laboratory abnormalities (not associated with the study indication) at screening
8. Recent acute exacerbation event requiring oral corticosteroids or antibiotics (any dose for more than 3 days) or respiratory tract infection 4 weeks prior to screening 
9. History of active Malignancy in any organ system (diagnosis within last 12 months or ongoing active cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
10. History of treatment with biologics within four months or five half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to screening.
11. History of anaphylaxis to any biologic therapy or sensitivity of any component of IMP formulation  
12. Have been involved in another medicinal trial (CTIMP) within the past 28 days
13. Women who are pregnant, lactating or intend to become pregnant during the study period 
14. Planned surgical procedures requiring general anaesthesia or in-patient status for > 1 day during the conduct of the study.  
15. Receipt of any live or attenuated vaccines within 15 days prior to screening 
16. Patients whose treatment is considered palliative (life expectancy < 6 months).
17. History of chronic alcohol or drug abuse within 12 months prior to screening 
18. Receipt of immunoglobulin or blood products within 30 days prior to screening
19. Use of immunosuppressive medication (e.g., methotrexate, troleandomycin, oral gold, cyclosporine, azathioprine, intramuscular long-acting depot corticosteroid) within 3 months prior to screening. 
20. History of any known primary immunodeficiency disorder excluding asymptomatic selective immunoglobulin A or IgG subclass deficiency.  
21. Subject taking antiretroviral medications, as determined by medical history  
22. History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B or C.
Recruitment start date29/02/2024
Recruitment end date10/01/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Denmark
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

Glenfield Hospital
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9QP
United Kingdom
Bispebjerg Hospital
Bispebjerg Bakke 23
Copenhagen
2400 København
Denmark
Kings College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Leicester
University/education

Glenfield Hospital
Leicester
LE3 9QP
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)116 250 2704
Email ceb17@le.ac.uk
Website http://www.le.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04h699437

Funders

Funder type

Industry

AstraZeneca
Government organisation / For-profit companies (industry)
Alternative name(s)
AstraZeneca PLC, Pearl Therapeutics
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/05/2026
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination plan1. Peer reviewed scientific journals
2. Conference presentation
3. Publication on the website
4. Other publication
5. Submission to regulatory authorities
Pseudonymised or anonymised study data will be shared with other researchers, and collaborators including industry partners within and outside UK/EEA for further research purposes. Informed consent will be sought for this and any data sharing will be subject to a DSA agreement between the parties.
IPD sharing planThe data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Editorial Notes

04/03/2024: Internal review.
03/11/2023: ISRCTN received notification of combined HRA/MHRA approval for this trial on 03/11/2023
12/05/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by Health Research Authority (HRA) (UK).