The results of ANHELTO™ studies evaluating a new treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were presented by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) recently at the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 80^th annual meeting (CHEST 2014) in Austin, Texas. The new treatment consisted of co-administration of Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) with Striverdi® Respimat® (olodaterol) Inhalation Spray inhaler. The study findings were published in the November online issue of the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by airflow obstruction, leading to difficulties in breathing. In the ANHELTO™ studies, 2,200 patients with COPD were either treated once a day with tiotropium (via HandiHaler) with olodaterol (via Respimat®) when compared to tiotropium (via HandiHaler) with placebo (via Respimat®). The studies were performed over 12 weeks and assessed treatment efficacy (primary endpoint) according to lung function baseline alterations via forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and FEV₁ area under the curve between 0-3 hours (FEV₁AUC_0-3h).

Upon completion of the trial period (week 12), COPD patients treated with Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) (T) with Striverdi® Respimat® (olodaterol) Inhalation Spray (O) inhaler exhibited significantly improved lung function when compared with patients under tiotropium (via HandiHaler) with placebo.

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In the ANHELTO-1 study, patients experiencing adverse effects accounted for 45.3% (T+O 18/5 mcg) and 42.8% (tiotropium 18 mcg); in ANHELTO-2 40.1 % (T+O 18/5 mcg) and 43.2 % (tiotropium 18 mcg). The most common registered adverse effects were worsening of COPD and dry mouth.

Richard ZuWallack, MD, associate chief, Pulmonary Medicine, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Hartford, CT and study lead author noted, “Doctors frequently use multiple products for maintenance treatment of COPD. Dual bronchodilation has the potential to improve lung function more effectively in people living with COPD than treatment with a single bronchodilator.”

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is a once-a-day long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and STRIVERDI RESPIMAT is a once-a-day long-acting beta agonist (LABA). Both treatments are indicated to treat chronic bronchitis and emphysema associated with COPD. SPIRIVA HandiHaler reduces COPD exacerbations while STRIVERDI RESPIMAT is not indicated to treat COPD acute deteriorations or asthma.