Rapid Improvement after Starting Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Advanced Pulmonary Disease

Rationale: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor is a CFTR (cystic fibrosis [CF] transmembrane conductance regulator) modulator combination, developed for patients with CF with at least one Phe508del mutation. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in patients with CF and advanced respiratory disease. Methods: A prospective observational study, including all patients aged >12 years and with a percent-predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1),40 who initiated elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor from December 2019 to August 2020 in France was conducted. Clinical characteristics were collected at initiation and at 1 and 3 months. Safety and effectiveness were evaluated by September 2020. National-level transplantation and mortality figures for 2020 were obtained from the French CF and transplant centers and registries. Measurements and Main Results: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor was initiated in 245 patients with a median (interquartile range) ppFEV(1) = 29 (24-34). The mean (95% confidence interval) absolute increase in the ppFEV(1) was 115.1 (113.8 to 116.4; P < 0.0001), and the mean (95% confidence interval) in weight was +4.2 kg (+3.9 to +4.6; P < 0.0001). The number of patients requiring long-term oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, and/or enteral tube feeding decreased by 50%, 30%, and 50%, respectively (P < 0.01). Although 16 patients were on the transplant waiting list and 37 were undergoing transplantation evaluation at treatment initiation, only 2 received a transplant, and 1 died. By September 2020, only five patients were still on the transplantation path. Compared with the previous 2 years, a twofold decrease in the number of lung transplantations in patients with CF was observed in 2020, whereas the number of deaths without transplantation remained stable. Conclusions: In patients with advanced disease, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor is associated with rapid clinical improvement, often leading to the indication for lung transplantation being suspended.

Automated summary

An observational study in France found that the use of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in CF patients led to significant improvements in lung function and weight within a short period of time, with most patients no longer requiring long-term oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, and/or enteral tube feeding. Compared to the previous two years, there was a twofold decrease in the number of lung transplantations in CF patients in 2020.