AsthmaPhase 3NCT03562195
A Safety and Efficacy Study of Mepolizumab in Subjects With Severe Asthma
A Phase 3 study testing Mepolizumab 100 milligrams and Salbutamol in people with Asthma, run by GlaxoSmithKline at 42 sites in China.
Trial summary
Mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been developed as an add-on treatment for subjects with severe asthma with eosinophilic inflammation. Current asthma treatment guidelines offer minimal options for the severe asthmatic subjects on intensive therapy with frequent exacerbations. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Asthma
- What is being tested?
- Mepolizumab 100 milligrams and Salbutamol
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 42 sitesChina
- Study dates
- 29 Aug 2018to 7 Sep 2022
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects who will be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in the study, which will include the ability to comply with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form. Subjects must be able to read, comprehend, and write at a level sufficient to complete study related materials.
- Subjects with at least 12 years of age at Visit 0 and a minimum weight of 40 kilograms.
- Persistent airflow obstruction as indicated by: For subjects >=18 years of age at visit 1, a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 <80 percent predicted (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] III).;For subjects 12 to 17 years of age at Visit 1: A pre-bronchodilator FEV1 <90 percent predicted (NHANES III) recorded at Visit 1 or FEV1: Forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.8 recorded at Visit 1.
- Prior documentation of eosinophilic asthma or high likelihood of eosinophilic asthma as per Randomization Criteria 1 (Documented peripheral blood eosinophil count of >=300 cells per microliters that is related to asthma in the past 12 months prior to Visit 1 or a peripheral blood eosinophil count of >=150 cells per microliters at Visit 1 that is related to asthma).
- Regular treatment with high dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in the 12 months prior to Visit 1, of which at least 9 months accumulated documented is required, the 3 months prior to Visit 1 is mandatory. With or without maintenance oral corticosteroids (OCS). ICS dose must be >=500 microgram per day fluticasone propionate (FP) or equivalent daily (for ICS/long-acting beta-2-agonists combination preparations, Seretide 50/250 micrograms twice daily and above or equivalent will meet this ICS criteria). (Maintenance OCS is defined as a prescribed regimen of a minimum average daily dose of prednisone 5 milligrams [or equivalent]).
- Current treatment with an additional controller medication, besides ICS, for at least 3 months. (Example given [e.g.], long-acting beta-2-agonist, leukotriene receptor antagonist [LTRA], or theophylline).
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- Previously confirmed history of two or more exacerbations requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroid (intramuscular [IM], intravenous, or oral), in the 12 months prior to Visit 1, despite the use of high-dose ICS. For subjects receiving maintenance corticosteroid, the corticosteroid treatment for the exacerbations must have been a two-fold increase or greater in the dose for at least 3 days is required.
- A female subject is eligible to participate if she is not pregnant or breastfeeding, and at least one of the following conditions applies: Is not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP) OR is a WOCBP and using a contraceptive method that is highly effective, with a failure rate of <1 percent, during the intervention period and for at least 4 months after the last dose of study intervention. The investigator should evaluate the effectiveness of the contraceptive method in relationship to the first dose of study intervention.
- A WOCBP must have a negative highly sensitive pregnancy test before the first dose of study intervention. If urine test cannot be confirmed as negative (e.g., an ambiguous result), a serum pregnancy test is required. In such cases, the subject must be excluded from participation if the serum pregnancy result is positive. Follicle-stimulating hormone will be assessed to confirm child-bearing status as needed in non WOCBP.
Who cannot join
- Current smokers or former smokers with a smoking history of >=10 pack years (number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day/20) x number of years smoked). A former smoker is defined as a subject who quit smoking at least 6 months prior to Visit 1.
- Presence of a known pre-existing, clinically significant lung condition other than asthma, in the opinion of the Investigator, is expected to affect the subject's asthma status or the subject's ability to participate in the study. This includes current bacterial or viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or diagnoses of emphysema or chronic bronchitis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease other than asthma) or a history of lung cancer. Clinically Significant is defined as any disease/condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
- A chest X-ray that reveals evidence of clinically significant abnormalities not believed to be due to the presence of asthma.
- Bronchial Thermoplasty and Radiotherapy are excluded for 12 months prior to visit 1 and throughout the study.
- A current malignancy or previous history of cancer in remission for less than 12 months prior to screening (Subjects that had localized carcinoma of the skin which was resected for cure will not be excluded).
- Current unstable liver or biliary disease per investigator assessment defined by the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal or gastric varices, persistent jaundice or cirrhosis. Subjects with ALT >2 times Upper Limit of Normal (ULN), bilirubin >1.5 times ULN (isolated bilirubin >1.5 times ULN is acceptable if bilirubin is fractionated and direct bilirubin <35 percent)
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- Subjects who have known, pre-existing severe or clinically significant cardiovascular disease uncontrolled with standard treatment. Including but not limited to: known ejection fraction of <30 percent or severe heart failure meeting New York Heart Association Class IV classification or hospitalized in the 12 months prior to Visit 1 for severe heart failure meeting New York Heart Association Class III or angina diagnosed less than 3 months prior to Visit 1 or at Visit 1.
- QT interval corrected by Fridericia's formula (QTc[F]) >450 milliseconds (msec) or QTc(F) >480 msec for subjects with Bundle Branch Block at Visit 1 is exclusive.
- Subjects who have known, pre-existing, clinically significant endocrine, autoimmune, metabolic, neurological, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, hematological or any other system abnormalities that are uncontrolled with standard treatment. Current malignancy except for basal and squamous skin cancer.
- Subjects with other conditions that could lead to elevated eosinophils such as Hypereosiniophilic Syndromes, including Churg-Strauss Syndrome, or Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
- Subjects with a known, pre-existing parasitic infestation within 6 months prior to Visit 1 are also excluded.
- A history (or suspected history) of alcohol misuse or substance abuse within 2 years prior to Visit 1. Alcohol abuse is defined as: an average weekly intake of greater than 21 units or an average daily intake of greater than three units (males), or defined as an average weekly intake of greater than 14 units or an average daily intake of greater than two units (females). One unit was equivalent to a half-pint (220 milliliters) of beer or one (25 milliliters) measure of spirits or one glass (125 milliliters) of wine.
- A known immunodeficiency (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus - HIV), other than that explained by the use of corticosteroids taken as therapy for asthma.
- Subjects who have received omalizumab (Xolair) within 130 days of Visit 1.
- Subjects who have received any monoclonal antibodies (other than Xolair) to treat inflammatory disease within 5 half-lives of Visit 1.
- Use of herbals within 7 days prior to visit 1, unless in the opinion of the Investigator and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Medical Monitor the medication will not interfere with the study procedures or compromise subject safety.
- Subjects who have received treatment with an investigational drug within the past 30 days or five terminal phase half-lives of the drug whichever is longer, prior to visit 1 (this also includes investigational formulations of marketed products).
- Subjects with allergy/intolerance to a monoclonal antibody or biologic.
- Subjects who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Subjects should not be enrolled if they plan to become pregnant during the time of study participation.
- Subjects who have known evidence of lack of adherence to controller medications and/or ability to follow physician's recommendations.
- Previously participated in any study with mepolizumab and received investigational product (including placebo).
- A subject will not be eligible for this study if he/she is an immediate family member of the participating investigator, sub-investigator, study coordinator, or employee of the participating investigator.
- Subjects with a history of psychiatric disease, intellectual deficiency, poor motivation or other conditions that will limit the validity of informed consent to participate in the study. Re-screening of subjects will be allowed only upon approval by the medical monitor.
Trial locations and contacts
42 sites in 1 country.
42 sites in 1 country
China42 sites
GSK Investigational Site
Beijing, 100044
GSK Investigational Site
Beijing, 100144
GSK Investigational Site
Beijing, 100191
GSK Investigational Site
Changchun, Jilin, 130021
GSK Investigational Site
Changchun, Jilin, 130041
GSK Investigational Site
Changsha, 410013
GSK Investigational Site
Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041
GSK Investigational Site
Fuzhou, Fujian, 350001
GSK Investigational Site
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080
GSK Investigational Site
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120
GSK Investigational Site
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150
GSK Investigational Site
Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630
GSK Investigational Site
Guangzhou, 511400
GSK Investigational Site
Guiyang, Guizhou, 550002
GSK Investigational Site
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006
GSK Investigational Site
Hangzhou, 310005
GSK Investigational Site
Hengyang, Hunan, 421000
GSK Investigational Site
Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010017
GSK Investigational Site
Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010050
GSK Investigational Site
Jinan, Shandong, 250012
GSK Investigational Site
Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210006
GSK Investigational Site
Qingdao, Shandong, 266071
GSK Investigational Site
Shanghai, 200000
GSK Investigational Site
Shanghai, 200032
GSK Investigational Site
Shanghai, 200040
GSK Investigational Site
Shanghai, 200233
GSK Investigational Site
Shanghai, 200433
GSK Investigational Site
Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004
GSK Investigational Site
Shenyang, Liaoning, 110015
GSK Investigational Site
Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518020
GSK Investigational Site
Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050000
GSK Investigational Site
Suzhou, 215004
GSK Investigational Site
Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030000
GSK Investigational Site
Tianjin, 300052
GSK Investigational Site
Tianjin, 300211
GSK Investigational Site
Ürümqi, Xinjiang, 830054
GSK Investigational Site
Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 323027
GSK Investigational Site
Wuhan, Hubei, 430022
GSK Investigational Site
Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214023
GSK Investigational Site
Yinchuan, Ningxia, 750001
GSK Investigational Site
Zhanjiang, Guangdong, 524001
GSK Investigational Site
Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052
About this study
Official title: A Randomized, Double Blind, Parallel Group Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients With Severe Asthma With Eosinophilic Inflammation
Mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been developed as an add-on treatment for subjects with severe asthma with eosinophilic inflammation. Current asthma treatment guidelines offer minimal options for the severe asthmatic subjects on intensive therapy with frequent exacerbations. There is a significant unmet medical need to provide better treatment options for this segment of the asthma population. Thus, this study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in Chinese severe asthmatic subjects with eosinophilic inflammation. A total number of 300 subjects will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either mepolizumab or placebo along with existing standard of care therapy. The maximum study duration will be 56 weeks.
- Conditions
- Asthma
- Being tested
- Mepolizumab 100 milligrams, Placebo, Salbutamol
- Keywords
- Eosinophilic inflammation, Mepolizumab, Asthma
- Medical subject headings
- Asthma
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mepolizumab 100 milligramsDrug
Mepolizumab will be given as a lyophilized cake in sterile vials for individual use. The vial will be reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection, just prior to use.
PlaceboDrug
Placebo will be given as 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution.
SalbutamolDrug
Salbutamol MDI will be given as a rescue medication to be used on an as needed basis in this study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mepolizumab 100mg | Experimental | Participants received 100mg of Mepolizumab subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the total treatment period of 52 weeks in addition to their baseline Standard of Care (SOC) treatment for asthma. Participants received salbutamol as a rescue medication on need basis. Receives: Drug: Mepolizumab 100 milligrams; Drug: Salbutamol |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Participants received placebo matching to Mepolizumab administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the total treatment period of 52 weeks in addition to their baseline SOC treatment for asthma. Participants received salbutamol as a rescue medication on need basis Receives: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Salbutamol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Rate of Clinically Significant Exacerbations of Asthma
Clinically significant exacerbation is defined as worsening of asthma which requires use of systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalizations and/or Emergency Department (ED) visits. Analysis of the number of exacerbations was performed using a negative binomial model with covariates of treatment group, baseline maintenance Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), region, exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable) and baseline % predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and with logarithm of time on treatment as an offset variable.
Measured: Up to Week 52
Secondary outcomes (18)
Percent Probability of First Clinically Significant Exacerbations at Week 16, Week 32, and Week 52
Clinically significant exacerbation is defined as worsening of asthma which requires use of systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalizations and/or Emergency Department (ED) visits. Analysis of the number of exacerbations was performed using a negative binomial model with covariates of treatment group, baseline maintenance Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), region, exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable) and baseline % predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and with logarithm of time on treatment as an offset variable. Time to first clinically significant exacerbation was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and expressed in terms of probability.
Measured: Week 16, 32 and 52
Mean Change From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
The SGRQ Questionnaire is a well-established, self-completed tool, with 50 questions comprising three domains: Symptoms, Activity, and Impacts scores (each ranging from 0 to 100; where higher score indicates worst outcome). SGRQ total score was calculated by summing weights from all positive items, divided by sum of weights for all items in SGRQ questionnaire and multiplying by 100. The SGRQ total score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 implying the best possible health status and 100 implying worst possible health status. Analysis was performed using mixed model repeated measures with covariates of baseline, baseline maintenance OCS therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable), baseline % predicted FEV1, treatment and visit, plus interaction terms for visit by baseline and visit by treatment group.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization (Including Intubation and Admittance to an Intensive Care Unit [ICU]) or Emergency Department (ED) Visits
An exacerbation is defined as worsening of asthma requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids and/or emergency department visit, or hospitalization. The number of exacerbations requiring hospitalization including incubation and admittance to an Intensive care unit (ICU) or ED visits were evaluated. Analysis of number of exacerbations was performed using a negative binomial model with covariates of treatment group, baseline maintenance OCS therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable) and baseline % predicted FEV1, and with logarithm of time on treatment as an offset variable. The data for participants with 0, 1, 2 and 3 exacerbations requiring hospitalization (including intubation and admittance to an ICU) or ED visits are summarized.
Measured: Up to Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization
An exacerbation is defined as worsening of asthma requiring the use of systemic corticosteroids and/or emergency department visit, or hospitalization. Analysis of number of exacerbations was performed using a negative binomial model with covariates of treatment group, baseline maintenance OCS therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable) and baseline % predicted FEV1, and with logarithm of time on treatment as an offset variable. The summary data for participants with 0, 1, 2 and 3 exacerbations requiring hospitalization are summarized.
Measured: Up to Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Clinic Prebronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) at Week 52
FEV1 is the volume of air that can be forced out in one second after taking a deep breath. Prebronchodilator FEV1 were measured via spirometer at Baseline and Week 52. Analysis was performed using mixed model repeated measures with covariates of baseline, baseline maintenance OCS therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable), treatment and visit, plus interaction terms for visit by baseline and visit by treatment group.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) Including Systemic (i.e., Allergic [Type I Hypersensitivity] and Other Systemic) and Injection Site Reactions
AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a participant or clinical investigation participant, temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. Systemic reactions and local injection site reactions are adverse events of special interest (AESIs).
Measured: Up to Week 52
Change From Baseline in Platelets Count
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in hematology parameter Platelets count. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Erythrocytes Count
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in hematology parameter Erythrocytes count. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Hematocrit
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in hematology parameter Hematocrit. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Percent Change From Baseline in Mean White Blood Cell (WBC) Count With Differential (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes. Eosinophils and Basophils)
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in WBC) count with differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes. eosinophils and basophils). Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Alkaline Phosphatase
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in clinical parameter Alkaline Phosphatase. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in clinical parameter Alanine Aminotransferase, Aspartate Aminotransferase. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Albumin and Total Protein
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in clinical parameter albumin, total protein. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Clinical Chemistry Parameters
Blood samples was collected for the assessment of change from baseline in clinical parameter including total and direct bilirubin, creatinine, glucose, calcium, sodium, potassium, urea. Baseline was defined as the latest pre-dose assessment with a non-missing value, including those from unscheduled visits. Change from Baseline was calculated by subtracting the post dose visit value from the Baseline value.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)
SBP and DBP were measured in a sitting position after 5 minutes rest. The normal range for SBP is 90-140 mmHg and DBP is 60-90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Pulse Rate
Pulse rate measurement were measured in a sitting position after 5 minutes rest.
Measured: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Abnormal 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) Findings
12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements were obtained after the participants had rested in the supine position for 5 minutes. Clinically significant abnormal findings are based on the judgement of the investigator.
Measured: Up to Week 52
Number of Participants With Positive Anti-Mepolizumab Antibody
Blood samples were collected for detection of binding and neutralizing anti-mepolizumab antibodies. Samples with a positive screening result continued for confirmation analysis. Samples with a positive confirmation analysis were considered positive for mepolizumab Anti-drug antibody (ADA).
Measured: Up to Week 52
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Jun 2018
- Study start29 Aug 2018
- Primary completion7 Sep 2022
- Study completion7 Sep 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AsthmaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by GlaxoSmithKlineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Eligible subjects will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either mepolizumab or placebo along with existing standard of care therapy during the treatment period.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- GSK Clinical Trials, Study director, GlaxoSmithKline
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03562195
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 201536
- Status last verified
- Apr 2024
- First submitted
- 22 May 2018
- Last updated
- 19 Sep 2024
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Qualified researchers may request access to anonymized individual patient-level data (IPD) and related study documents of the eligible studies via the Data Sharing Portal. Details on GSK's data sharing criteria can be found at: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/innovation/trials/data-transparency/
Publications
Chen R, Wei L, Dai Y, Wang Z, Yang D, Jin M, Xiong C, Li T, Hu S, Song J, Chan R, Kumar S, Abdelkarim A, Zhong N. Efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in a Chinese population with severe asthma: a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ERJ Open Res. 2024 May 20;10(3):00750-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00750-2023. eCollection 2024 May.
PubMed 38770009Chen R, Wei L, Jin M, Jiang Y, Gao X, Zhao L, Wang L, Liu S, Howarth P, Xiong C, Huang J, Liang P, Hu X, Zhong N. Add-on mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma on medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids. ERJ Open Res. 2026 Aug 17;12(4):01652-2025. doi: 10.1183/23120541.01652-2025. eCollection 2026 Jul.
PubMed 42609784Shi C, Wang Y, Tan C, Zeng X, Liu Q. Cost-effectiveness analysis of mepolizumab among patients with severe asthma from the Chinese societal perspective. PLoS One. 2026 May 13;21(5):e0348955. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348955. eCollection 2026.
PubMed 42127033Chen R, Dai Y, Yang D, Liu C, Han W, Gu W, Cao J, Zhou Q, Howarth P, Weng S, Xiong C, Huang J, Liang P, Zhong N; 201536 Study Group. Clinical Remission Outcome in Chinese Patients With Severe Asthma With an Eosinophilic Phenotype Receiving Mepolizumab: A Post-hoc Analysis of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2025 Jul;17(4):473-485. doi: 10.4168/aair.2025.17.4.473.
PubMed 40736776
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Sep 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized, Double Blind, Parallel Group Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients With Severe Asthma With Eosinophilic Inflammation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03562195
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 201536
- Conditions
- Asthma
- Keywords
- Eosinophilic inflammation, Mepolizumab, Asthma
- Phase
- Phase 3
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- GlaxoSmithKlineIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- 29 Aug 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 7 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Sep 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 19 Sep 2024
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, has been developed as an add-on treatment for subjects with severe asthma with eosinophilic inflammation. Current asthma treatment guidelines offer minimal options for the severe asthmatic subjects on intensive therapy with frequent exacerbations. There is a significant unmet medical need to provide better treatment options for this segment of the asthma population. Thus, this study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in Chinese severe asthmatic subjects with eosinophilic inflammation. A total number of 300 subjects will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either mepolizumab or placebo along with existing standard of care therapy. The maximum study duration will be 56 weeks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Eligible subjects will be randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either mepolizumab or placebo along with existing standard of care therapy during the treatment period.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mepolizumab 100mg | Experimental | Drug: Mepolizumab 100 milligrams, Drug: SalbutamolParticipants received 100mg of Mepolizumab subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the total treatment period of 52 weeks in addition to their baseline Standard of Care (SOC) treatment for asthma. Participants received salbutamol as a rescue medication on need basis. |
| Placebo | Placebo comparator | Drug: Placebo, Drug: SalbutamolParticipants received placebo matching to Mepolizumab administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks during the total treatment period of 52 weeks in addition to their baseline SOC treatment for asthma. Participants received salbutamol as a rescue medication on need basis |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Subjects who will be able to give written informed consent prior to participation in the study, which will include the ability to comply with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form. Subjects must be able to read, comprehend, and write at a level sufficient to complete study related materials.
- Subjects with at least 12 years of age at Visit 0 and a minimum weight of 40 kilograms.
- Persistent airflow obstruction as indicated by: For subjects >=18 years of age at visit 1, a pre-bronchodilator FEV1 <80 percent predicted (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] III).;For subjects 12 to 17 years of age at Visit 1: A pre-bronchodilator FEV1 <90 percent predicted (NHANES III) recorded at Visit 1 or FEV1: Forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.8 recorded at Visit 1.
- Prior documentation of eosinophilic asthma or high likelihood of eosinophilic asthma as per Randomization Criteria 1 (Documented peripheral blood eosinophil count of >=300 cells per microliters that is related to asthma in the past 12 months prior to Visit 1 or a peripheral blood eosinophil count of >=150 cells per microliters at Visit 1 that is related to asthma).
- Regular treatment with high dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in the 12 months prior to Visit 1, of which at least 9 months accumulated documented is required, the 3 months prior to Visit 1 is mandatory. With or without maintenance oral corticosteroids (OCS). ICS dose must be >=500 microgram per day fluticasone propionate (FP) or equivalent daily (for ICS/long-acting beta-2-agonists combination preparations, Seretide 50/250 micrograms twice daily and above or equivalent will meet this ICS criteria). (Maintenance OCS is defined as a prescribed regimen of a minimum average daily dose of prednisone 5 milligrams [or equivalent]).
Key exclusion criteria (23 listed)
- Current smokers or former smokers with a smoking history of >=10 pack years (number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day/20) x number of years smoked). A former smoker is defined as a subject who quit smoking at least 6 months prior to Visit 1.
- Presence of a known pre-existing, clinically significant lung condition other than asthma, in the opinion of the Investigator, is expected to affect the subject's asthma status or the subject's ability to participate in the study. This includes current bacterial or viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tract, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or diagnoses of emphysema or chronic bronchitis (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease other than asthma) or a history of lung cancer. Clinically Significant is defined as any disease/condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
- A chest X-ray that reveals evidence of clinically significant abnormalities not believed to be due to the presence of asthma.
- Bronchial Thermoplasty and Radiotherapy are excluded for 12 months prior to visit 1 and throughout the study.
- A current malignancy or previous history of cancer in remission for less than 12 months prior to screening (Subjects that had localized carcinoma of the skin which was resected for cure will not be excluded).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mepolizumab 100 milligramsMepolizumab will be given as a lyophilized cake in sterile vials for individual use. The vial will be reconstituted with Sterile Water for Injection, just prior to use. | Drug | Mepolizumab 100mg |
| PlaceboPlacebo will be given as 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution. | Drug | Placebo |
| SalbutamolSalbutamol MDI will be given as a rescue medication to be used on an as needed basis in this study. | Drug | Mepolizumab 100mg, Placebo |
Primary outcome
Rate of Clinically Significant Exacerbations of Asthma
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Clinically significant exacerbation is defined as worsening of asthma which requires use of systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalizations and/or Emergency Department (ED) visits. Analysis of the number of exacerbations was performed using a negative binomial model with covariates of treatment group, baseline maintenance Oral Corticosteroids (OCS) therapy (OCS vs. no OCS), region, exacerbations in the year prior to the study (as an ordinal variable) and baseline % predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), and with logarithm of time on treatment as an offset variable.
18 secondary outcomes
Percent Probability of First Clinically Significant Exacerbations at Week 16, Week 32, and Week 52
Time frame: Week 16, 32 and 52
Mean Change From Baseline in St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at Week 52
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization (Including Intubation and Admittance to an Intensive Care Unit [ICU]) or Emergency Department (ED) Visits
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Clinic Prebronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) at Week 52
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs) Including Systemic (i.e., Allergic [Type I Hypersensitivity] and Other Systemic) and Injection Site Reactions
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Change From Baseline in Platelets Count
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Erythrocytes Count
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Hematocrit
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Percent Change From Baseline in Mean White Blood Cell (WBC) Count With Differential (Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes. Eosinophils and Basophils)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Alkaline Phosphatase
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Albumin and Total Protein
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Change From Baseline in Clinical Chemistry Parameters
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Mean Change From Baseline in Pulse Rate
Time frame: Baseline and Week 52
Number of Participants With Clinically Significant Abnormal 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) Findings
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Number of Participants With Positive Anti-Mepolizumab Antibody
Time frame: Up to Week 52
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Sep 2024.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Background: PubMed 38770009Chen R, Wei L, Dai Y, Wang Z, Yang D, Jin M, Xiong C, Li T, Hu S, Song J, Chan R, Kumar S, Abdelkarim A, Zhong N. Efficacy and safety of mepolizumab in a Chinese population with severe asthma: a phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ERJ Open Res. 2024 May 20;10(3):00750-2023. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00750-2023. eCollection 2024 May.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42609784Chen R, Wei L, Jin M, Jiang Y, Gao X, Zhao L, Wang L, Liu S, Howarth P, Xiong C, Huang J, Liang P, Hu X, Zhong N. Add-on mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma on medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids. ERJ Open Res. 2026 Aug 17;12(4):01652-2025. doi: 10.1183/23120541.01652-2025. eCollection 2026 Jul.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42127033Shi C, Wang Y, Tan C, Zeng X, Liu Q. Cost-effectiveness analysis of mepolizumab among patients with severe asthma from the Chinese societal perspective. PLoS One. 2026 May 13;21(5):e0348955. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0348955. eCollection 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40736776Chen R, Dai Y, Yang D, Liu C, Han W, Gu W, Cao J, Zhou Q, Howarth P, Weng S, Xiong C, Huang J, Liang P, Zhong N; 201536 Study Group. Clinical Remission Outcome in Chinese Patients With Severe Asthma With an Eosinophilic Phenotype Receiving Mepolizumab: A Post-hoc Analysis of a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2025 Jul;17(4):473-485. doi: 10.4168/aair.2025.17.4.473.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Qualified researchers may request access to anonymized individual patient-level data (IPD) and related study documents of the eligible studies via the Data Sharing Portal. Details on GSK's data sharing criteria can be found at: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/innovation/trials/data-transparency/
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
GSK Clinical Trials study director
GlaxoSmithKline
42 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 3 study testing Mepolizumab 100 milligrams and Salbutamol in people with Asthma, run by GlaxoSmithKline at 42 sites in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 23 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Sep 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 42 sites in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 19 Sep 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Rate of Clinically Significant Exacerbations of Asthma (time frame: Up to Week 52). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03562195, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Sep 2024.