Brensocatib Improves Outcomes in Asian Patients With Bronchiectasis 

By
Lorraine L. Janeczko, MPH
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Female doctor examines senior male patient through comprehensive geriatric assessment. Healthcare professional demonstrates age appropriate medical care with patient-centered consultation

Brensocatib reduced non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis exacerbations, improved symptoms, and slowed lung function decline among Asian patients, according to a post hoc analysis of data from the randomized, controlled, phase 3 ASPEN trial.1  

Unique Traits of Asian Patients with Bronchiectasis 

Asian patients with bronchiectasis tend to have demographic characteristics, comorbidities, microbiological profiles, and other traits that differ from those of patients on other continents and that determine how the disease affects them.2  

The researchers evaluated the effect of brensocatib—an oral, selective, reversible inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase 1—on symptoms in Asian patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and a history of pulmonary exacerbations. 

Targeting Neutrophilic Inflammation 

Neutrophilic inflammation, an important driver of disease progression in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, leads to lung damage and deteriorating outcomes. Brensocatib prevents the activation of neutrophil serine proteases, which are associated with disease progression and poorer outcomes in this disease. 

The phase III, randomized, double-blind ASPEN trial enrolled patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and a history of exacerbations within the past 12 months at 373 study sites in the United States and on other continents.3 

Adults 18 to 85 years of age and adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age were randomized to once-daily brensocatib 10 mg, brensocatib 25 mg, or placebo for 52 weeks. 

Asian Patient Outcomes 

The 191 Asian patients among the 1,721 study participants had a mean age of 64.0 years. Of these, 59.2% were female, and 35.6% had three or more exacerbations in the prior 12 months, compared to 29.2% of the overall ASPEN population. 

At baseline, Asian patients demonstrated higher post-bronchodilator %-predicted FEV1 (mean 81.6), less inhaled steroid use (37.7%), and higher macrolide use (39.3%) compared to the overall ASPEN population, whose respective means were 73.5, 58.1%, and 19.1%. 

Brensocatib decreased the annualized exacerbation rate (rate ratio 10 mg: 0.40; 25mg: 0.41), extended the time to the first exacerbation (hazard ratio 10 mg: 0.45, 25 mg: 0.47), and increased the likelihood of remaining exacerbation-free (odds ratio 10mg: 3.29; 25 mg: 3.19) vs placebo. 

Brensocatib reduced FEV1 decline (week 52 least-squares mean difference in milliliters vs placebo 10 mg: 18; 25 mg: 69) and improved QOL-B RSS at week 52 vs placebo (least-squares mean difference vs placebo 10 mg: 5.7; 25 mg: 7.49). Brensocatib also reduced FVC decline (week 52 least-squares mean difference in mL vs placebo 10 mg: 97; 25 mg: 123).  

Adverse events were similar in all treatment groups, and the results among Asian participants were consistent with those of the general ASPEN population. 

References 

  1. Addrizzo-Harris DJ, Chalmers JD, Aliberti S, et al. Efficacy and Safety of BrenWsocatib in Patients of Asian Race With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: A Subgroup Analysis of the ASPEN Trial. Presented at: CHEST 2025, October 19-22, 2025; Chicago. 
  1. Choi H, Xu JF, Chotirmall SH, Chalmers JD, Morgan LC, Dhar R. Bronchiectasis in Asia: a review of current status and challenges. Eur Respir Rev. 2024;33(173):240096. Published 2024 Sep 25. doi:10.1183/16000617.0096-2024 
  1. A Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Brensocatib in Participants With Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis (ASPEN). ClinicalTrials.gov. Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04594369?cond=NCT04594369&rank=1  

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