Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension for Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, safety, administration, and role of amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) in treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease.
DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search using the terms "amikacin inhaled," "nebulized," and "liposome suspension" was performed. Selected infectious diseaseconference posters were also examined for relevant information. In addition, pertinent guidelines were reviewed.
STUDY SELECTION/DATA EXTRACTION: Guidelines for the management of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections from the American Thoracic Society/ Infectious Diseases Society of America and the British Thoracic Society were used to summarize guidelinebased therapy (GBT). A phase II and a phase III clinical trial were reviewed to evaluate the role of ALIS in the treatment of MAC lung disease.
DATA SYNTHESIS: ALIS is a new formulation of inhaled amikacin (AMK) indicated for the treatment of MAC lung disease refractory to GBT in adults who are not candidates for intravenous AMK. An ongoing clinical trial has demonstrated that once-daily ALIS plus GBT results in higher rates of culture conversion compared with GBT alone by month 6 among patients with a mean age of 65 years. The most common adverse reactions associated with ALIS were dysphonia, cough, bronchospasm, hemoptysis, and ototoxicity. Nephrotoxicity was uncommon.
CONCLUSION: ALIS has been shown to increase culture conversion rates when added to GBT in adults with difficult-to-treat MAC lung disease. ALIS is associated with high rates of pulmonary and auditory adverse reactions and a low risk of renal adverse reactions. ALIS may be an attractive treatment option for older adults who are at high risk for nephrotoxicity.