Study Of Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol In Asthmatic Subjects

A 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-period, cross-over pilot study comparing the effect of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate, fluticasone propionate and placebo on perpheral blood eosinophils and serum IL-5 in response to allergen challenge in asthma subjects when allergen challenge is administered at 1 hour or 11-12 hours post-dose of the dosing interval

Inclusion criteria

• Informed consent.
• Outpatient.
• Male or non-pregnant/non-lactating female.
• Aged 18-55.
• Diagnosis of asthma.
• Pre-bronchodilatory FEV1 > 75% predicted.
• Using inhaled short-acting beta-2-agonists (SABA) with no inhaled corticosteroids.
• Judged capable of withholding SABA for at least 6 hours prior to visits.
• Reversibility of >12% and 200mL or PC20 of <8mg/mL.
• Demonstration of atopy

Exclusion criteria

• History of life-threatening asthma.
• Use of proscribed asthma medications.
• Use of anti-histamines or potent inhibitors of CYP3A4.
• Respiratory tract infection.
• Asthma exacerbation with 4 weeks of Visit 1.
• Subjects with exercise induced asthma only.
• Concurrent respiratory disease.
• Other clinically significant, uncontrolled condition or disease.
• Use of any investigational drug within 30 days.
• Allergic to beta-2-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids or excipients.
• Positive pregnancy test.
• Using immunosuppressive medications.
• Milk protein allergy.
• Factors likely to interfere with attendance.
• Current smokers or ex-smokers with a history of >10 pack years.
• Affiliation wih Investigator site.
• Medications that may affect the course of asthma or interact with sympathomimetic amines.