Itepekimab significantly reduced hospitalizations or emergency department visits in former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD

Background: Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a significant healthcare burden. Itepekimab is a new human IgG4P monoclonal antibody against interleukin-33; a recent phase 2 study (NCT03546907) demonstrated that itepekimab 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2w) vs placebo reduced exacerbation rates and improved lung function in the subgroup of former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD during the 24–52-week treatment period. Aim: This post hoc analysis of the phase 2 study investigates the effect of itepekimab vs placebo on hospitalizations (H) and ED visits in former smokers with COPD. Methods: 187 (itepekimab 98; placebo 89) former smokers were assessed. The number of patients with 0, 1, or ≥ 2 H or ED visits, adjusted annualized rates of H or ED visits, and time to first H or ED visit are reported. Results: Fewer former smokers with COPD treated with itepekimab experienced H or ED visits than those treated with placebo (6% vs 17%, respectively; Table). Former smokers treated with itepekimab had a 70% reduced risk of H or ED visit (RR [95% CI], 0.30 [0.12–0.76]; P = 0.01) and had a longer time to first H or ED visit (HR [95% CI], 0.31 [0.12–0.82], P = 0.02) vs placebo. Conclusion: Itepekimab vs placebo significantly reduced hospitalizations or ED visits in former smokers with moderate-to-severe COPD.