Objectives

To investigate whether the addition of antimicrobial treatments improves outcomes compared to usual care alone among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease. Lung dysbiosis, characterized by increased bacterial load and/or loss of diversity, has been reported in patients with IPF and may contribute to hospitalization and death. Clinical trials investigating other chronic disorders suggest that antimicrobial therapy favorably alters the lung microbial community. The CleanUP IPF study was initiated to determine if an antimicrobial treatment reduces respiratory hospitalization or death among patients with IPF.

Participants

Eligible participants had been diagnosed with IPF and were ≥40 years old. The major exclusion criterion was contraindication to antimicrobial therapy.

A total of 513 participants were enrolled. 254 participants were randomized to receive antimicrobials, of those 128 were randomized to receive co-trimoxazole and 126 were randomized to receive doxycycline. 259 participants were randomized to receive usual care alone.

Design

CleanUP IPF was a randomized, unblinded, multicenter study. Patients were randomized to receive antimicrobials in addition to usual care or usual care alone. Antimicrobials included co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim 160 mg/sulfamethoxazole 800 mg twice daily plus folic acid 5 mg daily) or doxycycline (100 mg once daily if body weight <50 kg or 100 mg twice daily if ≥50 kg). Follow-up schedules varied depending on the assigned treatment group.

Data collected included diffusion capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), forced vital capacity (FVC), and occurrence of severe adverse events. Several questionnaires were administered to assess quality of life, including the impacts of shortness of breath, fatigue, and chronic cough on participants.

The primary end point was time to first nonelective respiratory hospitalization or all-cause mortality. The study was terminated early due to futility.

Conclusions

Among adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the addition of co-trimoxazole or doxycycline to usual care, compared with usual care alone, did not significantly improve time to nonelective respiratory hospitalization or death.

Martinez FJ, Yow E, Flaherty KR, et al. Effect of Antimicrobial Therapy on Respiratory Hospitalization or Death in Adults With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The CleanUP-IPF Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(18):1841-1851. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.4956

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