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

Abstract

<b>Rationale:</b> 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. <b>Objectives:</b> To evaluate the effects of elexacaftor-tezacaftor- ivacaftor in patients with CF and advanced respiratory disease. <b>Methods:</b> 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. <b>Measurements and Main Results:</b> Elexacaftor-tezacaftor- ivacaftor was initiated in 245 patients with a median (interquartile range) ppFEV₁ = 29 (24-34). The mean (95% confidence interval) absolute increase in the ppFEV₁ was +15.1 (+13.8 to +16.4; <i>P</i> < 0.0001), and the mean (95% confidence interval) in weight was +4.2 kg (+3.9 to +4.6; <i>P</i> < 0.0001). The number of patients requiring long-term oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, and/or enteral tube feeding decreased by 50%, 30%, and 50%, respectively (<i>P</i> < 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. <b>Conclusions:</b> In patients with advanced disease, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor is associated with rapid clinical improvement, often leading to the indication for lung transplantation being suspended.