Inhaled Treprostinil for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Preclinical data indicate that inhaled treprostinil may be useful for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through an antifibrotic mechanism, a premise that is supported by clinical observation.

In this phase 3, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned patients with IPF to receive inhaled treprostinil or placebo (12 breaths four times daily) over a period of 52 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the absolute forced vital capacity (FVC) at week 52. Secondary end points, which were analyzed in a prespecified order to control for multiplicity, were clinical worsening and acute exacerbation of IPF (each assessed in a time-to-event analysis), death by week 52, and the change from baseline in the percentage of predicted FVC, quality of life, and the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide by week 52. Safety was also assessed.