Fluticasone furoate (FF)/vilanterol (100/25 mcg or 200/25 mcg) or FF (100 mcg) in persistent asthma

Fluticasone furoate (FF; inhaled corticosteroid) combined with vilanterol (VI; long-acting beta(2) agonist) is a once-daily therapy for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This 12-week phase III study compared the efficacy and safety of once-daily (evening dosing) FF/VI 100/25 mcg versus FF 100 mcg (primary objective) and FF/VI 100/25 mcg versus FF/VI 200/25 mcg (descriptive comparison only) in patients (n = 1039) ≥12 years with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma.

The primary end point was weighted mean (wm) 0-24-h serial forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) at week 12. Secondary end points (change from baseline) were trough FEV(1) and the proportion (%) of rescue-free 24-h periods (both powered), the proportion (%) of symptom-free 24-h periods, and morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF). Safety data (adverse events, AEs) were collected throughout.

Compared with FF 100 mcg, FF/VI 100/25 mcg significantly improved wmFEV(1) (p < 0.001), trough FEV(1) (p = 0.014), % rescue-free (p < 0.001), % symptom-free (p = 0.002) 24-h periods, and morning and evening PEF (p < 0.001). FF/VI 200/25 mcg produced small numerical improvements versus FF/VI 100/25 mcg for all end points. Incidence of AEs was similar across groups.

FF/VI 100/25 mcg resulted in significant improvements in all primary and secondary end points versus FF 100 mcg. Numerical improvements occurred with FF/VI 200/25 mcg versus FF/VI 100/25 mcg. All treatments were well tolerated.