Real-world effectiveness and lung abnormalities associated with amikacin liposome inhalation suspension

Nozomi Tokita1, Masashi Ito2, Naohisa Urabe3

  • 1Respiratory Disease Center, Fukujuji Hospital, Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University Omori Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.

Respiratory Medicine
|October 9, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) shows a 28.6% culture conversion rate for refractory Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD). Most patients with ALIS-related lung abnormalities (ALIS-RLAs) were asymptomatic and continued treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Guidelines recommend amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) for refractory Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD).
  • Limited data exist on factors influencing culture conversion and managing ALIS-related adverse events, including ALIS-related lung abnormalities (ALIS-RLAs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ALIS in patients with refractory MAC-PD.
  • To identify factors associated with treatment outcomes and adverse events, particularly ALIS-RLAs.

Main Methods:

  • A two-center retrospective cohort study of 87 patients with refractory MAC-PD receiving ALIS.
  • Data on adverse events (n=76) and treatment outcomes (n=49) were collected from medical records.
  • Refractory MAC-PD was defined as failure to achieve sputum culture conversion after ≥6 months of guideline-based therapy.

Main Results:

  • Sputum culture conversion rate was 28.6%.
  • Lower BMI (<18.5 kg/m²) and presence of cavities were associated with negative impact on culture conversion.
  • Dysphonia (53.9%) was the most frequent adverse event. ALIS-RLAs occurred in 82.1% of patients, mostly asymptomatic (92.7%) and allowing continued ALIS treatment (85.5%).

Conclusions:

  • Early initiation of ALIS before significant disease progression is crucial.
  • Despite high incidence of ALIS-RLAs, treatment discontinuation was often unnecessary in asymptomatic patients.
  • ALIS demonstrates potential in managing refractory MAC-PD, with careful monitoring for adverse events.