Clinical change 2 years from start of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in severe cystic fibrosis

RationaleLimited published research is available on the impact of elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI) beyond the initial few months postdrug initiation, especially for those who initiated therapy via individual investigational new drug application. The experiences of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) experiencing severe lung disease were reviewed for significant improvements in clinical symptoms and quality of life. ObjectivesTo examine clinical outcomes 2 years post-ETI in patients with CF and advanced lung disease. MethodsThis single center institutional review board-approved, retrospective chart review assessed clinical markers (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s, weight, sweat chloride), quality of life and computed tomography scans in patients with advanced lung disease who met criteria for compassionate use/expanded access program due to high risk of death or transplant need within 2 years. ResultsEighteen identified patients (ages 15-49 years) initiated drug between July and September 2019. Clinical markers indicated that therapy was well tolerated, not discontinued by any participant, and lab values did not indicate medical concern or discontinuation. Monitoring results indicated the safety of modulator therapy as there were no adverse clinical occurrences and all patients presented universal stabilization. There were no deaths and no transplants by the end of the study. ConclusionsThis study focused on patients with CF eligible for modulator therapy and were initiated due to advanced lung disease. Initiation of modulator therapy was deemed safe and resulted in objective positive changes in nutrition, cough, FEV1, subjective reports of clinical status, level of activity, and a reduction in burden of treatment.