Asthma Research Reveals New Treatment Option for Cough Relief

Strategic Insights -

Researchers in Japan have made significant findings on the efficacy of a new combination therapy for asthma patients with persistent cough, despite treatment. The study, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Global, aimed to demonstrate the superiority of medium-dose indacaterol, glycopyrronium, and mometasone furoate (IND/GLY/MF) over high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/long-acting b-agonists (LABA) in reducing cough refractory to medium-dose ICS/LABA.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 118 adult asthma patients with cough refractory to medium-dose ICS/LABA, who were randomized to receive either medium-dose IND/GLY/MF or high-dose ICS/LABA (fluticasone/vilanterol [FF/VI] or budesonide/formoterol [BUD/FM]) for 8 weeks.
  • Efficacy was measured by the Japanese version of the Leicester Cough Questionnaire at week 8, as well as additional analyses including a visual analog scale, the 6-item Asthma Control Questionnaire, respiratory function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and blood eosinophil/neutrophil measurements.
  • The change from baseline to week 8 in the total questionnaire score was 1.99 ± 3.48 in the IND/GLY/MF group and 2.50 ± 4.28 in the high-dose ICS/LABA group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups.
  • The research concluded that medium-dose IND/GLY/MF may be an alternative to high-dose ICS/LABA for patients with refractory asthmatic cough.
  • Hiroyuki Ohbayashi and co-authors presented the research at Tohno Chuo Clinic in Gifu, Japan, and the results were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Global.

Statistics:

  • 118 adult asthma patients with cough refractory to medium-dose ICS/LABA were enrolled in the study.
  • 58 patients received medium-dose IND/GLY/MF and 60 patients received high-dose ICS/LABA.
  • The change in the total questionnaire score from baseline to week 8 was 1.99 ± 3.48 in the IND/GLY/MF group.
  • The change in the total questionnaire score from baseline to week 8 was 2.50 ± 4.28 in the high-dose ICS/LABA group.

Sources:

  • Ohbayashi, H., Niimi, A., Asamoto, H., Kamei, T., Kiyosue, A., Fukushima, Y., ... & Mikami, T. (2025). Effectiveness of indacaterol/glycopyrronium/mometasone for refractory asthmatic cough after switching from inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting b2-agonist therapy. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Global, 4(4), 100567.
  • NewsRx. New Asthma Findings Reported from Hiroyuki Ohbayashi and Co-Authors (Effectiveness of indacaterol/glycopyrronium/mometasone for refractory asthmatic cough after switching from inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting b2-agonist therapy). Respiratory Therapeutics Week. November 3, 2025; p 2482.