EXHANCE-3: a cohort study of the exhalation delivery system with fluticasone for chronic sinusitis with or without nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND

Inhaled nasal corticosteroid sprays (INS) are often inadequate to treat chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS-FLU; XHANCE®) may improve outcomes in CRS by increasing medication delivery to target superior/posterior anatomic sites. This study assessed safety and efficacy of EDS-FLU in a large population with moderate-to-severe CRS with or without nasal polyps (CRSwNP, CRSsNP).

METHODS

Prospective, multicenter, 12-week, single-arm study of EDS-FLU 372 Â#181;g twice daily (BID) at 38 U.S. sites. Safety was assessed by adverse-event evaluations, nasal endoscopy, and ocular examinations. Efficacy was serially assessed by outcomes including nasal endoscopy (Lund-Kennedy Score, polyp grade), patient- and physician-reported outcomes (22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test [SNOT-22]), study-defined surgical indicator assessment, and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC).

RESULTS

705 comparatively refractory subjects were enrolled, 603 CRSsNP and 102 CRSwNP [moderate-to-severely symptomatic; baseline SNOT-22 ~43, high rates of prior INS use (92.3%) and/or prior surgery (27.5%)]. More than 90% reported improvement on treatment by PGIC. SNOT-22 scores improved substantially and similarly in patients with NP (-23.7) and without NP (-24.4). Among patients with baseline Lund-Kennedy edema scores >0, 33.3% (CRSwNP) and 54.8% (CRSsNP) had complete resolution of edema. In CRSwNP patients, 48% had polyp elimination in ?1 nostril, 63% had ?1-point improvement in polyp grade, mean bilateral polyp grade decreased from 2.9 to 1.6, and study-defined surgical eligibility decreased. EDS-FLU was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to conventional INS sprays when used to treat CRS

CONCLUSION

EDS-FLU 372 #181;g BID in the treatment of CRS with or without polyps was safe, well-tolerated, and produced substantial improvement across a broad range of both objective and subjective measures.