Efficacy of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in decreasing severe cystic
fibrosis-related exacerbations: a retrospective, within-group study
Abstract
Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ELX/TEZ/IVA) is the newest CFTR
modulator approved for patients with cystic fibrosis. In randomized
controlled trials, ELX/TEZ/IVA showed benefit at 24 weeks in terms of
lung function, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary exacerbations and weight.
However, long-term clinical benefit of ELX/TEZ/IVA in real-world
settings is still being investigated. Methods This retrospective
within-groups study examined cystic fibrosis patients receiving care
from a single academic health-system specialty pharmacy. Subjects were
included who initiated ELX/TEZ/IVA and continued therapy for greater
than one year. Retrospective data from the index year prior to
ELX/TEZ/IVA initiation and the year following was collected by medical
records review. The primary end point was the difference in number of
severe cystic fibrosis exacerbations in index year as compared to the
year post ELX/TEZ/IVA initiation. Results A total of 76 patients were
included in the final analysis. In the post- ELX/TEZ/IVA year, subjects
had a significant mean decrease in severe exacerbations (-0.72; 95% CI
-0.43, -1.02; p<0.0001). Decreases in severe exacerbations
remained significant in subgroups of patients with prior CFTR exposure
(-0.56; 95% CI -0.22, -0.91; p =0.002; n=46) and moderate to severe
lung disease (-0.98; 95% CI -0.49, -1.45; p = 0.0002; n=41). After one
year of ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy, subjects experienced a significant mean
absolute increase in ppFEV1 of 6.07% (between-years difference 4.47%;
95% CI 0.58, 8.37; p=0.025) and increase in BMI of 1.46 (between-years
difference 1.29; 95% CI 0.65, 1.95; p=0.0002). Conclusion One year of
ELX/TEZ/IVA therapy was associated with sustained improvements in
clinical status of cystic fibrosis patients.