Pirfenidone in fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a double-blind, randomised clinical trial of efficacy and safety

Background Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP) is an irreversible lung disease with high morbidity and mortality. We sought to evaluate the safety and effect of pirfenidone on disease progression in such patients. Methods We conducted a single-centre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in adults with FHP and disease progression. Patients were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either oral pirfenidone (2403 mg/day) or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary end point was the mean absolute change in the per cent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%). Secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS, time to a relative decline ≥10% in FVC and/or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), acute respiratory exacerbation, a decrease of ≥50 m in the 6 min walk distance, increase or introduction of immunosuppressive drugs or death), change in FVC slope and mean DLCO%, hospitalisations, radiological progression of lung fibrosis and safety. Results After randomising 40 patients, enrolment was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no significant between-group difference in FVC% at week 52 (mean difference −0.76%, 95% CI −6.34 to 4.82). Pirfenidone resulted in a lower rate of decline in the adjusted FVC% at week 26 and improved PFS (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.60). Results for other secondary end points showed no significant difference between groups. No deaths occurred in the pirfenidone group and one death (respiratory) occurred in the placebo group. There were no treatment-emergent serious adverse events. Conclusions The trial was underpowered to detect a difference in the primary end point. Pirfenidone was found to be safe and improved PFS in patients with FHP. Trial registration mumber NCT02958917 .