Lung function and long-term safety of tiotropium/olodaterol in East Asian patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND AND
PURPOSE: While the efficacy and safety of combined tiotropium and olodaterol in patients with COPD was established in a large clinical trial program, it is important to assess whether clinical data can be applied to geographic patient groups, particularly for East Asian patients who may have a different phenotypic profile to the global trial population. This study aimed to compare the lung function and safety profiles of tiotropium/olodaterol and monocomponents in East Asian and global populations from the TONADO® trials.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the replicate, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, randomized, 52-week, Phase III TONADO studies, patients received tiotropium/olodaterol, tiotropium, or olodaterol. We assessed the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) area under the curve from 0 to 3 hours (AUC0-3) response and trough FEV1 response at 24 weeks for the approved doses, tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg, and olodaterol 5 μg. Treatment-emergent adverse events were recorded throughout treatment and ≤21 days after study medication.
RESULTS: In the East Asian population, 1,152 patients were randomized (5,163 overall). After 24 weeks, FEV1 AUC0-3 and trough FEV1 responses were greater (P<0.0001) with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg in both populations versus tiotropium or olodaterol. The East Asian population showed slightly greater trough FEV1 treatment differences between tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg and tiotropium compared to the overall population. Generally, no increase in adverse events was seen with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to tiotropium and olodaterol in either population.
CONCLUSION: The efficacy and safety profile of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg has been demonstrated for both East Asian and global populations.

Plain language summary

Why was the study done? Drugs are known to be processed differently in East Asian people compared with Caucasians, which may affect how new therapies perform in this geographic group. We wanted to find out whether a combined treatment for COPD (tiotropium/olodaterol) in East Asian patients works as well and as safely as in the global population.

What did the researchers do and find? We analyzed results from two large identical clinical trials (TONADO®) in which patients were given either tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg or the monocomponent tiotropium 5 μg or olodaterol 5 μg alone, and found that the drugs worked as well and as safely in East Asian patients as in the global population.

What do the results mean? This analysis provides interesting and robust data regarding the East Asian patients included in two large clinical trials of tiotropium/olodaterol for the treatment of COPD. Our findings give reassurance to doctors prescribing tiotropium/olodaterol to patients with COPD that being of East Asian origin should not make a difference on how well tiotropium/olodaterol works and how safe it is.

Introduction

COPD is characterized by progressive, persistent airflow limitation, often accompanied by exacerbations and comorbidities. COPD and its accompanying comorbidities remain a leading cause of death worldwide.1 The effects of pathophysiologic hallmarks of COPD, such as chronic airflow limitation and hyperinflation, create a need for safe, reliable maintenance therapies.

Long-acting bronchodilators are recommended for maintenance therapy in patients with moderate to very severe COPD.1 Tiotropium is an established once-daily, long-acting muscarinic antagonist that has been shown to improve the lung function and patient-reported outcomes such as dyspnea and quality of life, and reduce exacerbations in patients with COPD.2–8 Olodaterol is a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) that provides 24-hour bronchodilation and symptomatic benefits in patients with COPD.9–12 The advantages of combining tiotropium and olodaterol as a long-acting bronchodilator have been demonstrated in an extensive clinical trial program (TOviTO®),13–17 and the combination is now available globally at a dose of 5/5 μg for once-daily use via the Respimat® inhaler (Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany).

Long-term efficacy and safety results of treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol in a global population with moderate to very severe COPD over 52 weeks versus the monocomponents have been published from two replicate Phase III trials (TONADO 1 and 2).13 Tiotropium/olodaterol has also been shown to improve the lung function to a greater extent in patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2 compared to GOLD 3–4 disease, stressing the importance of providing early maintenance therapy in patients with COPD.18

There is a concern that global clinical trial data may not be applicable to East Asian patients due to lower average body weight and potentially different metabolism and elimination profiles, compared to a predominantly Caucasian population.19 For example, in the PHILO trial of the blood thinner ticagrelor, Asian patients had notably worsened outcomes compared to other ethnic populations.20 In cancer patients, the incidence of severe neutropenia following treatment with the chemotherapy drug docetaxel was demonstrated to be 19 times greater than in non-Asian patients in Phase II and III clinical trials,21 leading to the proposal of dose reduction in Asian patients treated with docetaxel.22 A 10% dose reduction in Asian patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving induction chemotherapy with dose-modified docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil achieved similar survival figures compared to the original recommended dose regimen.23 For inhaled drugs, in particular, the response and long-term safety profiles may be different in regional patient populations according to different population characteristics such as phenotype physiology, genetics, disease severity, and distribution of other risk factors in the target COPD population.24,25

In the clinical pharmacology programs for tiotropium/olodaterol, tiotropium, and olodaterol, there was no observed influence of patient race,13 although the lung function benefits and safety were not specifically analyzed in East Asian patients. This paper will describe the lung function and safety profiles of tiotropium/olodaterol and the monocomponents in the East Asian population from the large TONADO studies compared to the overall population.

Materials and methods

Study design

The detailed methodology of TONADO has been previously published.13 Briefly, this trial was a pair of replicate, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled, multicenter, randomized, Phase III studies (registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01431274 [Study 1237.5] and NCT01431287 [Study 1237.6]). Eligible patients were ≥40 years of age with a diagnosis of COPD, a smoking history of >10 pack-years, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) <80% of predicted normal, and post-bronchodilator FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%.

Patients received tiotropium/olodaterol 2.5/5 μg or 5/5 μg, tiotropium 2.5 or 5 μg, or olodaterol 5 μg over 52 weeks. This analysis focused on the approved doses of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg, and olodaterol 5 μg, which are the worldwide marketed product doses of tiotropium/olodaterol (Spiolto® Respimat), tiotropium (Spiriva® Respimat), and olodaterol (Striverdi® Respimat) in COPD. All treatments were administered once daily via the Respimat inhaler. Salbutamol (albuterol) (100 μg per actuation) was provided as rescue medication for all study participants and use was recorded in a diary. All studies were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the International Conference on Harmonisation’s Harmonised Tripartite Guideline for Good Clinical Practice and local regulations. This work observed appropriate ethical guidelines relating to clinical trials involving human participants and with approval from institutional review boards (Coordinating Investigator’s [Prof Roland Buhl] Independent Ethics Committee: Ethikkommission bei der Landesärztekammer Rheinland-Pfalz, Deutschhausplatz 3, 55116 Mainz, Germany). Patients provided written informed consent for this study.

Study outcomes and assessments

For the overall study, primary end points included FEV1 area under the curve from 0 to 3 hours (AUC0–3) response (change from baseline), trough FEV1 response, and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, all measured at 24 weeks. Secondary end points included a Transition Dyspnea Index focal score, also measured at 24 weeks, and further end points included FEV1 response over time measured at 5 minutes post-dose on Day 1 and at Weeks 12, 24, and 52. These and others have been reported elsewhere.13

Subgroup analysis

The East Asian population was selected by Asian race from countries of mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea; India was not included in countries defining the East Asian population. The overall population was defined as all patients worldwide, including the East Asian population.

In this prespecified exploratory analysis, we only report lung function end points (FEV1 AUC0–3, trough FEV1, and FVC), SGRQ total score, and safety. Transition Dyspnea Index focal score data, which was also exploratory in nature, are not included. P-values associated with treatment comparisons for the East Asian population were non-alpha controlled. P-values associated with treatment comparisons for the primary and key secondary end points for the overall population were confirmatory.

Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were recorded, regardless of causality, throughout the trial and during a follow-up period of 21 days after study medication discontinuation. Vital signs were recorded at screening, baseline, and after 12, 24, and 52 weeks of treatment, and measured before the pre-dose and 60-minute post-dose pulmonary function tests. Twelve-lead electrocardiogram recordings were performed at screening, study withdrawal, pre-dose, and 40 minutes post-dose at baseline and at Weeks 12, 24, and 52.

Serious AEs were reviewed by an independent external expert adjudication committee, which was blinded to treatment, to determine if any of the deaths, hospitalizations, or intubations were related to respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other diseases.

All randomized patients who received at least one dose of treatment were included in the safety analysis set (treated set). The frequencies of investigator-reported AEs (coded using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) were analyzed descriptively. Analyses were performed on pooled data from the TONADO studies and were based on treatment-emergent AEs, including those AEs that occurred after the first dose of trial medication and within 21 days after the last dose of trial medication.

Results

Patients

A total of 6,887 patients were enrolled in the study across 40 different countries.13 In the overall population, 5,163 (75.0%) patients were randomized to receive treatment, with 84.6% of patients completing the trials and 15.4% prematurely discontinuing study medication. In this article, we report on a total of 3,100 patients in the two studies, who were treated with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg (1,029; 33.2%), tiotropium 5 μg (1,033; 33.3%), or olodaterol 5 μg (1,038; 33.5%). Of these, 2,175 (70.2%) patients classified their race as white, 807 (26.0%) as Asian, 40 (1.3%) as black/African American, and 20 (0.6%) as American Indian/Alaska Native. Information on race could not be collected for 58 (1.9%) patients. Regionally, the overall population was divided between Western Europe (26.9%), East Asia (22.9%), North America (19.5%), Eastern Europe (16.3%), Latin America (8.9%), India (3.0%), and Australia/New Zealand/South Africa (2.5%).

In the East Asian population, 1,525 patients were enrolled, with 1,152 (75.5%) randomized to receive treatment. Of these, 1,151 patients received treatment. The trial was completed by 89.2% of patients, while 10.8% prematurely discontinued. For this analysis, a total of 709 (22.9%) patients were treated with the marketed product doses of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, tiotropium 5 μg, or olodaterol 5 μg. The distribution of treatments was similar to the overall population, with 228 (32.2%) patients receiving tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, 243 (34.3%) receiving tiotropium 5 μg, and 238 (33.6%) receiving olodaterol 5 μg.

Some differences in demographics and baseline information were observed between the East Asian and overall populations (Table 1). The East Asian population contained a higher proportion of men, a lower mean weight and body mass index, and a lower percentage of current smokers than the overall population. The East Asian population reported less usage of pulmonary medication, particularly, inhaled corticosteroids, LABAs, and short-acting β-agonists, but did show an increased use of xanthines. There were also fewer comorbidities at baseline in the East Asian population and a shorter history of COPD diagnosis. Post-bronchodilator lung function at screening was slightly lower in the East Asian population, although this population also had slightly more patients with COPD severity of GOLD 4.

Table 1

Demographic and baseline patient characteristics

Demographic/characteristic	East Asian population			Overall population^
	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg
	(n=238)	(n=243)	(n=228)	(n=1,038)	(n=1,033)	(n=1,029)
Male, n (%)	225 (94.5)	234 (96.3)	219 (96.1)	764 (73.6)	755 (73.1)	733 (71.2)
Age, years, mean (SD)	66.2 (8.0)	65.7 (8.1)	66.2 (7.6)	64.2 (8.2)	63.9 (8.6)	63.8 (8.3)
Weight, kg, mean (SD)	61.8 (11.8)	63.2 (10.6)	60.5 (10.1)	73.3 (18.2)	74.0 (17.6)	72.9 (17.7)
Body mass index (kg/m2), mean (SD)	22.5 (3.8)	22.8 (3.4)	22.2 (3.2)	25.9 (5.8)	26.0 (5.3)	25.8 (5.4)
Duration of COPD diagnosis, years, mean (SD)	4.7 (5.1)	4.8 (5.5)	5.0 (5.6)	6.8 (6.2)	6.4 (6.1)	6.4 (5.6)
Smoking status, n (%)
Ex-smoker	180 (75.6)	190 (78.2)	176 (77.2)	660 (63.6)	663 (64.2)	629 (61.1)
Current smoker	58 (24.4)	53 (21.8)	52 (22.8)	378 (36.4)	370 (35.8)	400 (38.9)
History of COPD diagnosis, n (%)
<1 year	51 (21.4)	57 (23.5)	42 (18.4)	118 (11.4)	140 (13.6)	109 (10.6)
1 to <10 years	159 (66.8)	150 (61.7)	157 (68.9)	659 (63.5)	654 (63.3)	680 (66.1)
10 to <20 years	22 (9.2)	30 (12.3)	20 (8.8)	206 (19.8)	199 (19.3)	208 (20.2)
≥20 years	6 (2.5)	6 (2.5)	9 (3.9)	55 (5.3)	40 (3.9)	32 (3.1)
Comorbidities, n (%)	180 (75.6)	186 (76.5)	167 (73.2)	897 (86.4)	902 (87.3)	890 (86.5)
Cardiac	44 (18.5)	33 (13.6)	30 (13.2)	234 (22.5)	219 (21.2)	213 (20.7)
Vascular	87 (36.6)	102 (42.0)	81 (35.5)	511 (49.2)	513 (49.7)	496 (48.2)
Metabolism and nutrition	59 (24.8)	46 (18.9)	43 (18.9)	370 (35.6)	354 (34.3)	338 (32.8)
Respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal	29 (12.2)	34 (14.0)	25 (11.0)	192 (18.5)	213 (20.6)	200 (19.4)
GOLD, n (%)
1 (≥80%)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	1 (0.1)	0 (0.0)
2 (50% to <80%)	114 (47.9)	110 (45.3)	109 (47.8)	532 (51.3)	517 (50.0)	502 (48.8)
3 (30% to <50%)	89 (37.4)	92 (37.9)	83 (36.4)	378 (36.4)	387 (37.5)	408 (39.7)
4 (<30%)	35 (14.7)	41 (16.9)	36 (15.8)	128 (12.3)	128 (12.4)	119 (11.6)
SGRQ total score, unadjusted mean (SE)*	37.0 (1.2)	38.7 (1.3)	38.6 (1.2)	42.8 (0.6)	43.3 (0.6)	44.2 (0.6)
Mean (SD) post-bronchodilator
FEV1, L	1.29 (0.46)	1.30 (0.49)	1.28 (0.46)	1.38 (0.52)	1.37 (0.52)	1.34 (0.51)
% Predicted normal	48.85 (15.91)	47.53 (16.39)	48.11 (15.72)	50.26 (15.59)	49.70 (15.67)	49.32 (15.29)
Baseline pulmonary medication, n (%)
SAMA	13 (5.5)	12 (4.9)	8 (3.5)	134 (12.9)	131 (12.7)	125 (12.1)
LAMA	85 (35.7)	76 (31.3)	82 (36.0)	365 (35.2)	346 (33.5)	378 (36.7)
SABA	23 (9.7)	21 (8.6)	20 (8.8)	424 (40.8)	401 (38.8)	400 (38.9)
LABA	65 (27.3)	55 (22.6)	57 (25.0)	491 (47.3)	450 (43.6)	486 (47.2)
ICS	73 (30.7)	69 (28.4)	70 (30.7)	505 (48.7)	466 (45.1)	506 (49.2)
Xanthines	36 (15.1)	50 (20.6)	41 (18.0)	96 (9.2)	109 (10.6)	108 (10.5)

Notes:

From the full analysis set, East Asian population: n=228 (O 5 μg), n=233 (T 5 μg), n=215 (T/O 5/5 μg); overall population: n=954 (O 5 μg), n=955 (T 5 μg), n=979 (T/O 5/5 μg).

Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; LABA, long-acting β2-agonist; LAMA, long-acting muscarinic antagonist; O, olodaterol; SABA, short-acting β-agonist; SAMA, short-acting muscarinic antagonist; SD, standard deviation; SE, standard error; SGRQ, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; T, tiotropium.

Lung function

After 24 weeks, the adjusted mean FEV1 AUC0–3 and trough FEV1 responses were significantly greater (P<0.0001) with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg versus monocomponents in both the East Asian and overall populations (Figure 1A and B). The East Asian population showed slightly greater trough FEV1 treatment differences between tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg and tiotropium 5 μg, when compared to the overall population (Figure 1B).

Figure 1

Treatment differences for (A) FEV1 AUC0–3 response, (B) trough FEV1 response, and (C) FVC AUC0–3 response after 24 weeks in the East Asian and overall populations.

Note: ^Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: AUC0–3, area under the curve from 0 to 3 hours; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

The secondary end point of the FVC AUC0–3 response significantly improved (P<0.05) in both the East Asian and overall populations with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg versus tiotropium 5 μg and olodaterol 5 μg (Figure 1C). FEV1 response over time favored tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to the monocomponents in both groups, and again treatment differences were larger for the East Asian population compared to the overall population (Figure 2A and B).

Figure 2

FEV1 treatment comparisons at 5 minutes post-dose at Day 1, Week 12, Week 24, and Week 52: (A) East Asian population and (B) overall population.

Note: ^Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

Quality of life

Symptomatic benefit of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg was demonstrated by statistically significant improvements in mean SGRQ total score versus both monotherapies in the overall population after 24 weeks; in the East Asian population, this benefit was observed versus olodaterol 5 μg (Table 2).

Table 2

SGRQ score treatment comparison after 24 weeks of treatment

Treatment difference
Treatment comparison	East Asians		^Overall population
	SGRQ total score, adjusted mean ± SE (95% CI)	P-value	SGRQ total score adjusted mean ± SE (95% CI)	P-value
T/O 5/5 µg
Versus O 5 μg	−2.519±1.202 (−4.876, −0.162)	0.0362	−1.693±0.553 (−2.778, −0.608)	0.0022
Versus T 5 μg	−0.730±1.180 (−3.044, 1.583)	0.5358	−1.233±0.551 (−2.313, −0.153)	0.0252

Note:

Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: O, olodaterol; SE, standard error; SGRQ, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; T, tiotropium.

Similarly, responder rates, which are defined as a reduction of SGRQ total score of ≥4 units from baseline, were significantly greater for tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg versus both monotherapies in the overall population; in the East Asian population, this was observed versus olodaterol 5 μg treatment (Table 3).

Table 3

Responder analysis of SGRQ total score treatment comparisons after 24 weeks of treatment

Treatment difference
Treatment comparison	East Asians		^Overall population
	Odds ratio ± SE (95% CI)	P-value	Odds ratio ± SE (95% CI)	P-value
T/O 5/5 µg
Versus O 5 μg	1.902±0.3665 (1.303, 2.775)	0.0009	1.670±0.153 (1.395, 1.999)	<0.0001
Versus T 5 μg	1.169±0.2220 (0.806, 1.696)	0.4103	1.426±0.131 (1.192, 1.706)	0.0001

Note:

Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: O, olodaterol; SE, standard error; SGRQ, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; T, tiotropium.

Safety

The incidence of AEs was similar in the East Asian and overall populations and was generally balanced across all treatment groups (Table 4). A similar number of AEs were considered treatment related in the East Asian and overall populations (7.1% versus 6.6%, respectively). The majority of AEs in both populations were mild to moderate in severity, and similar proportions of patients discontinued treatment due to AEs across treatment groups and between populations. In the East Asian population, there was a lower incidence of serious AEs and fatal AEs compared to the overall population, although the numbers were low. The most frequent System Organ Class events reported in both populations were infections and infestations, and respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders (Figure 3A and B). The East Asian population had a higher incidence of infections and infestations (including upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia) and a lower incidence of respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders (including COPD exacerbation); musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (including back pain); and nervous system disorders (including headache) when compared to the overall population.

Table 4

Summary of AEs

Events	East Asian population, n (%)			^Overall population, n (%)
	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg
	(n=238)	(n=243)	(n=228)	(n=1,038)	(n=1,033)	(n=1,029)
All AEs	182 (76.5)	168 (69.1)	157 (68.9)	795 (76.6)	757 (73.3)	761 (74.0)
Treatment-related AEs	17 (7.1)	15 (6.2)	18 (7.9)	69 (6.6)	63 (6.1)	73 (7.1)
Severe AEs	28 (11.8)	20 (8.2)	23 (10.1)	162 (15.6)	145 (14.0)	157 (15.3)
AEs leading to discontinuation	17 (7.1)	16 (6.6)	15 (6.6)	103 (9.9)	93 (9.0)	76 (7.4)
Serious AEsa	42 (17.6)	41 (16.9)	32 (14.0)	181 (17.4)	172 (16.7)	169 (16.4)
Fatal AEs	1 (0.4)	2 (0.8)	3 (1.3)	14 (1.3)	17 (1.6)	18 (1.7)
Life-threatening AEs	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	3 (0.3)	2 (0.2)	5 (0.5)
Disabling/incapacitating	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	1 (0.1)	2 (0.2)	3 (0.3)
Requiring hospitalization	40 (16.8)	39 (16.0)	27 (11.8)	162 (15.6)	155 (15.0)	153 (14.9)
Prolonging hospitalization	1 (0.4)	0 (0.0)	1 (0.4)	12 (1.2)	3 (0.3)	6 (0.6)
Other	1 (0.4)	4 (1.6)	1 (0.4)	20 (1.9)	18 (1.7)	12 (1.2)

Notes:

Data from Buhl et al.13 Percentages are calculated using total number of patients per treatment as the denominator.

A patient may be counted in more than one seriousness criterion.

Abbreviations: AEs, adverse events; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

Figure 3

AEs occurring with an incidence of >3% by System Organ Class: (A) East Asian population and (B) overall population.

Note: ^Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: AEs, adverse events; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

Incidences of clinically relevant cardiovascular AEs were low in both populations (Table 5). The East Asian population reported slightly lower incidences of tachyarrhythmia and ischemic heart disease than the overall population.

Table 5

Clinically relevant cardiovascular AEs

AE	East Asian population, n (%)			^Overall population, n (%)
	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg
	(n=238)	(n=243)	(n=228)	(n=1,038)	(n=1,033)	(n=1,029)
Tachyarrhythmia	4 (1.7)	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	13 (1.3)	12 (1.2)	14 (1.4)
Supraventricular (including atrial fibrillation)	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	0 (0.0)	6 (0.6)	8 (0.8)	5 (0.5)
Ventricular (including extrasystoles)	2 (0.8)	0 (0.0)	0 (0.0)	6 (0.6)	2 (0.2)	6 (0.6)
Ischemic heart disease	3 (1.3)	4 (1.6)	4 (1.8)	26 (2.5)	22 (2.1)	22 (2.1)
Myocardial infarction	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	4 (1.8)	10 (1.0)	8 (0.8)	11 (1.1)
Other ischemic heart disease	2 (0.8)	4 (1.6)	0 (0.0)	19 (1.8)	16 (1.5)	12 (1.2)
MACE	4 (1.7)	5 (2.1)	8 (3.5)	25 (2.4)	19 (1.8)	24 (2.3)
Fatal MACE	1 (0.4)	1 (0.4)	2 (0.9)	8 (0.8)	6 (0.6)	8 (0.8)

Notes: Percentages are calculated using total number of patients per treatment as the denominator.

Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: AE, adverse event; MACE, major adverse cardiovascular event; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

Respiratory AEs in the East Asian and overall populations were broadly comparable between treatment groups (Table 6). The East Asian population had slightly lower incidence of lower respiratory disorders, including COPD exacerbation, compared to the overall population. Incidences of upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia, were higher in the East Asian population, but comparable among the treatment groups.

Table 6

Clinically relevant respiratory AEs

AE	East Asian population, n (%)			^Overall population, n (%)
	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg	O 5 µg	T 5 µg	T/O 5/5 µg
	(n=238)	(n=243)	(n=228)	(n=1,038)	(n=1,033)	(n=1,029)
Respiratory disorders (lower)	92 (38.7)	82 (33.7)	78 (34.2)	470 (45.3)	433 (41.9)	403 (39.2)
COPD exacerbation	78 (32.8)	68 (28.0)	66 (28.9)	403 (38.8)	363 (35.1)	356 (34.6)
Dyspnea	5 (2.1)	4 (1.6)	7 (3.1)	39 (3.8)	52 (5.0)	43 (4.2)
Cough	8 (3.4)	8 (3.3)	3 (1.3)	43 (4.1)	51 (4.9)	43 (4.2)
Lower respiratory tract infection	25 (10.5)	22 (9.1)	29 (12.7)	86 (8.3)	63 (6.1)	68 (6.6)
Bronchitis	12 (5.0)	14 (5.8)	18 (7.9)	38 (3.7)	27 (2.6)	34 (3.3)
Pneumonia	12 (5.0)	7 (2.9)	13 (5.7)	41 (3.9)	27 (2.6)	36 (3.5)
Upper respiratory tract infection	29 (12.2)	27 (11.1)	24 (10.5)	56 (5.4)	57 (5.5)	54 (5.2)
Nasopharyngitis	35 (14.7)	24 (9.9)	33 (14.5)	131 (12.6)	121 (11.7)	128 (12.4)

Notes: Percentages are calculated using total number of patients per treatment as the denominator.

Data from Buhl et al.13

Abbreviations: AE, adverse event; O, olodaterol; T, tiotropium.

There was generally no increase in incidence of AEs, cardiac AEs, or respiratory AEs with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to tiotropium 5 μg and olodaterol 5 μg in either population.

Discussion

As mentioned earlier, differences in efficacy and safety in clinical studies of different therapies have been reported between Asian and non-Asian populations20–23 and demonstrate the need to carefully assess all therapies in Asian populations.

This study assessed lung function and safety in a subset of East Asian patients in the large, replicate, 52-week TONADO studies, in comparison with the overall population. Minor differences were found in several population characteristics and baseline demographics, such as sex, weight, and pulmonary medication use at baseline. The East Asian population also had a lower incidence of comorbidities and a lower proportion of current smokers than the overall population. This finding may be due to a higher prevalence of smoking reported in Europe for both men and women, while a very high prevalence of smoking was reported only among men in East Asia.26 The sex difference in smoking prevalence in the East Asian population may explain the low number of females included in the East Asian subgroup compared with the overall population. However, this did not seem to impact other demographics such as age or severity of disease, which may be expected as female COPD patients are often older than males or have more severe disease if not differentiated by age. One final difference between populations was the treatments used at baseline. Short-acting muscarinic antagonist, short-acting β-agonist, inhaled corticosteroid, and LABA were used less frequently in the East Asian population compared with the overall population, while the use of xanthines was higher. As the severity of disease was relatively consistent across the populations as per the GOLD stages, these treatment differences likely reflect differences in clinical practice in East Asia compared with other regions included in the overall population.

Lung function, as measured by FEV1 and FVC responses, improved substantially with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg in the East Asian population compared to monocomponents, which was consistent with the overall population.13 No significant differences in safety outcomes were seen between the two populations. Minor differences in clinically relevant cardiovascular outcomes were noted, with the East Asian population reporting lower incidences of tachyarrhythmia and ischemic heart disease; this was possibly influenced by fewer comorbidities and current smokers at baseline in the East Asian population. Minor differences were also seen in clinically relevant respiratory events, with higher incidences for upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia seen in East Asian patients.

There was a significant reduction in SGRQ total score and responder rates for tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg versus monotherapy for the overall population. In the East Asian population, SGRQ improvements were observed versus olodaterol 5 μg, but not tiotropium 5 μg. This was an exploratory analysis, and the lower number of East Asian patients included in this study limits the interpretation of this result. It is, however, also worth noting that improvements in SGRQ score from baseline have previously been described in placebo-treated patients from the Asia-Pacific area, which were accredited to a “trial effect”, showing sustained improvements irrespective of whether patients were receiving active study treatment.27 Participation in a clinical trial in some Asian regions, in particular China, may have led to improved overall health care of patients. This observation should be considered for our findings, where the percentage of responders for treatment with tiotropium monotherapy was slightly raised compared with the overall population (51.9% versus 48.7%).

Generally, no increase in AEs was seen with tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to the monocomponents in either of the populations. These findings reflect the overall safety analysis of the TONADO study.13 Interestingly, the incidences of most AE categories were lower for tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg compared to monocomponents in both populations (Figure 3A and B). These data demonstrate that tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg offers an acceptable safety profile in East Asian populations as well as in the overall population. These data mirror the safety data reported with olodaterol alone, where no safety concerns were identified up to 1 year at doses up to twice the recommended dose in Japanese and other Asian patients compared to Caucasian patients.28 Tiotropium 5 μg alone has also been shown to significantly improve the lung function and demonstrated an acceptable safety profile in Chinese patients with COPD.29

The pattern of AEs seen in the East Asian and overall populations is also likely influenced by comorbidities, which have a high prevalence among patients with COPD.30 The most common comorbidities include cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, skeletal muscle dysfunction, anxiety/depression, cognitive impairment, gastrointestinal diseases, and respiratory conditions, which can have unique effects on COPD management and treatment.31 The prevalence of AEs in this study is probably influenced by the presence of abundant comorbidities typically seen in patients with COPD.

This study had some limitations. Due to the high risk for events merely from preexisting comorbidities, it is usually difficult to assess a causal relationship between inhaled medications and AEs in patients with COPD. The East Asian population also contained a smaller number of patients, but the data are reassuring and suggest no obvious concerns for using tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg in the East Asian population.

Overall, the efficacy/safety profile and positive benefit–risk of tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg, as established for the overall population, have been demonstrated for the East Asian subpopulation. Physicians should feel confident prescribing tiotropium/olodaterol 5/5 μg to patients in the East Asian population.