Brensocatib Shows Promise for Bronchiectasis Treatment, Dosage Matters
Updated June 02, 2025
new research indicates that varying doses of brensocatib can effectively treat bronchiectasis, with the specific dosage influencing patient outcomes. The findings, presented at the American Thoracic Society 2025 international Conference, highlight the drug’s potential in managing this chronic condition.
Dr. James Chalmer, chair of Respiratory Research, Cardiology, at the University of Dundee in Scotland, discussed the results of the phase 3 ASPEN trial. The trial, sponsored by Insmed Incorporated, examined the impact of different brensocatib dosages on individuals with bronchiectasis.
The ASPEN trial, the largest of its kind for bronchiectasis, randomized patients to receive either 25 mg of brensocatib, 10 mg of brensocatib, or a placebo over 52 weeks. The primary focus was on the frequency of exacerbations, with secondary outcomes including lung function decline (FEV1) and symptom changes measured via quality of life questionnaires.
The study revealed that both the 10-mg and 25-mg doses led to an approximate 20% reduction in exacerbation frequency compared to the placebo. Notably, the 25-mg dose also demonstrated a slowing in the rate of FEV1 decline, suggesting a protective effect on lung function.
Subgroup analyses further explored the drug’s effectiveness in specific patient populations, including those using long-term macrolide treatment, individuals with elevated blood eosinophil counts, and adolescents.
The analysis showed that brensocatib’s benefits remained consistent whether or not patients were already using macrolides. This suggests that brensocatib can be used independently or as an add-on therapy.
The study also found that patients with high blood eosinophil levels experienced similar benefits to those with low levels, indicating that brensocatib’s effectiveness is not affected by eosinophilic inflammation.
Data from the adolescent subgroup (ages 12-18) revealed exacerbation reductions comparable to those seen in adults. Furthermore, brensocatib appeared to prevent the high rate of lung function decline observed in the placebo group.
The overall findings showed an approximate 20% reduction in exacerbation frequency with both the 10-mg and the 25-mg dose compared to placebo.
What’s next
These findings pave the way for potential new treatment strategies for bronchiectasis, particularly concerning brensocatib’s role in slowing lung function decline and reducing exacerbations across diverse patient subgroups. Further research may focus on optimizing dosage and identifying specific patient profiles that benefit most from brensocatib treatment.
