Assessment of Early Outcomes of Roflumilast in Patients With Non Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is defined by the presence of permanent and abnormal dilation of the bronchi. This usually occurs in the context of chronic airway infection causing inflammation. The main clinical manifestation is a productive cough. Bronchiectasis is currently nearly always diagnosed using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning. The main diagnostic features are: 1) internal diameter of a bronchus is wider than its adjacent pulmonary artery; 2) failure of the bronchi to taper; and 3) visualization of bronchi in the outer 1-2 cm of the lung fields.

• From a series of benzamide derivatives, roflumilast (3-cyclo-propylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxy-N-[3,5-di-chloropyrid-4-yl]-benzamide) was identified as a potent and selective PDE4 inhibitor. It inhibits PDE4 activity from human neutrophils. PDE4 inhibitors were demonstrated to inhibit inflammatory cytokine and mediator release from inflammatory cells. In addition, it inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis or migratory activity. Lastly, PDE4 inhibitor promotes apoptosis of these cells .
• Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of roflumilast in patients with both asthma and COPD, where roflumilast improved lung function and reduced exacerbation rates.

• Bronchiectasis is a chronic destructive lung disease, which is characterised by persistent bacterial colonization, bronchial inflammation, reduced mucociliaryclearance, and in some patients progressive tissue damage. There is evidence of an associated influx of neutrophils into the lungs of these patients , resulting in the expectoration of large volumes of purulent sputum containing neutrophils and their products, so In patients with bronchiectasis, there is also neutrophilic inflammation as in COPD.

  • The PDE4 inhibitor, roflumilast, was evaluated in short term clinical trial of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. It has been shown symptomatic improvement from baseline Park J. found that 16 weeks Roflumilast treatment in patients with non cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis significantly reduce CAT score and improve the symptoms of non-CF bronchiectasis.