Top news of October: Chronic cough therapy, COVID-19 updates, dupilumab for kids and more

The Healio Editors have compiled a list of the most-read news in pulmonology posted in October.

Highlights from the previous month include new data on gefapixant for refractory or unexplained chronic cough; FDA approval of dupilumab for children aged 6 to 11 years with moderate to severe asthma; a new device that turns inhalers into smart inhalers; a study that found pulmonary impairment persists in the first 6 months following COVID-19 hospitalization; and more.

Read these articles, and others, below, in no particular order.

Gefapixant shows long-term efficacy for treatment of chronic cough

A pooled analysis of the COUGH-1 and COUGH-2 trials demonstrated long-term efficacy of twice-daily gefapixant (Merck) out to 52 weeks in patients with refractory or unexplained chronic cough, according to data presented at the virtual CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more

Mortality on ECMO higher in second wave of patients with COVID-19

Mortality on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was higher in the second wave of patients with COVID-19, despite improvements in treatment before ECMO initiation, researchers reported at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Read more

FDA approves dupilumab for children aged 6 to 11 with moderate to severe asthma

The FDA approved dupilumab (Dupixent, Regeneron/Sanofi) as an add-on maintenance treatment for children aged 6 to 11 years with moderate to severe asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Read more

Impact of COVID-19 hospital visitation restrictions on providers: Survey

In a new survey, ICU providers reported widespread use of video and spending more time overall communicating with families — in some cases, much more time — and reduced job satisfaction and symptoms of burnout as a result of the visitation restrictions. Read more

Lefamulin a safe, effective alternative to moxifloxacin for unilobar, multilobar pneumonia

In a pooled analysis of the LEAP 1 and LEAP 2 trials, lefamulin (Xenleta, Nabriva Therapeutics) was safe and its efficacy was comparable to that of moxifloxacin in patients with unilobar and multilobar community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Read more

BreatheSuite announces FDA clearance of device that turns inhalers into smart inhalers

BreatheSuite announced that it received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Metered-Dose Inhaler V1 device, which turns existing inhalers into smart inhalers for people with asthma and COPD, according to a company press release. Read more

Pulmonary impairment persists during first 6 months post-COVID-19 hospitalization

In a new study, researchers reported persistent pulmonary impairment, symptoms and reduced health-related quality of life during the first 6 months following COVID-19 hospitalization, but gradual improvements were seen over time. Read more

FDA permits marketing of new e-cigarette products, marking first authorization of its kind

The FDA announced it has authorized marketing of three new tobacco products — the first set of electronic nicotine delivery system products ever to be authorized by the FDA via the Premarket Tobacco Product Application pathway. Read more

Benefits of triple therapy consistent regardless of age at asthma onset

Improvements observed with triple therapy with umeclidinium, fluticasone furoate and vilanterol, and use of a higher fluticasone furoate dose, were consistent regardless of age at asthma onset, according to new data from the CAPTAIN study. Read more

E-cigarettes with nicotine may affect thrombotic activity, impair microcirculation

Use of e-cigarettes that contain nicotine may cause an immediate increase in blood clot formation and deterioration of the expansion and dilation of small blood vessels, researchers reported. Read more