MK-0633, a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with neutrophil-mediated inflammation, a potential target for treatment in COPD. We evaluated MK-0633, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor in patients with COPD. This was a 12 week, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study comparing MK-0633 100 mg and placebo in patients 40-75 years of age (N = 266) with COPD, post-beta-agonist forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 25%-75% predicted, and an FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio (FVC) <= 70%. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators were permitted for approximately 50% of patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in pre-dose (trough) FEV(1) measured over the last 2 weeks of the 12 week treatment period. The change in FEV(1) over the last 2 weeks of the 12 weeks treatment period compared to baseline was 0.015 L for MK-0633 and 0.0002 for placebo (p = 0.556). For COPD Global Evaluation, 75.4% of patients receiving MK-0633 reported feeling better vs. 59.8% of patients receiving placebo (p = 0.032). There were no other significant differences between treatments. MK-0633 was well-tolerated and comparable to placebo. The 5-LO inhibitor MK-0633 was not significantly more effective than placebo in improving FEV(1) from baseline in patients with COPD, although more patients reported feeling improved with MK-0633.