The reproducibility of adenosine monophosphate bronchial challenges in mild, steroid‐naive asthmatics

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AIMS

Repeated adenosine monophosphate (AMP) challenges are used to assess drug efficacy in clinical trials of mild, steroid‐naive asthmatics. Refractoriness has been reported after repeated challenges over short intervals. This study evaluated possible tachyphylaxis after repeated AMP challenges at 12 and 24 h in mild, steroid‐naive asthmatics.

METHODS

This was an open, three‐way crossover study. Twenty‐six steroid‐naive asthmatic subjects were randomized to the following AMP challenge regimens separated by 7–14 days: (A) challenge at 08.00 h, repeated 24 h later; (B) challenge at 08.00 h, repeated 12 and 24 h later; (C) challenge at 20.00 h, repeated 12 h later. Comparisons within day were assessed using 90% confidence intervals (CIs). Non‐inferiority approach taken with 1 doubling concentration (DC) as a clinically relevant difference.

RESULTS

Regimen A: Significant increase in AMP reactivity at 24 h. Mean DC difference was 0.6 (90% CI 0.24, 0.96). Regimen B: No evidence of difference between AMP reactivity at 08.00 h and a repeated challenge 12 h later. Repeated challenge at 24 h caused a significant increase in provocation concentration (PC)₂₀ compared with 12 h (mean DC difference 0.48, 90% CI 0.02, 0.95) and 0 h (mean DC difference 0.82, 90% CI 0.49, 1.14 – the upper CI exceeds the criteria of 1 DC). Challenge regimen C: No difference between challenges; mean DC difference of 0.28 (90% CI −0.2, 0.76).

CONCLUSION

The small decline in AMP reactivity during repeated challenges was not consistently observed, and was small compared with the known effects of inhaled drugs.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03186.x

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