Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, reduces airway hyperresponsiveness
after allergen challenge.
Author(s): Louw C, Williams Z, Venter L, Leichtl S, Schmid-Wirlitsch C, Bredenbroker D,
Bardin PG.
Affiliation(s): Internal Medicine, Lung and Allergy Unit, University of Stellenbosch, School of
Medicine, Cape Town, South Africa.
Publication date & source: 2007, Respiration. , 74(4):411-7
BACKGROUND: Roflumilast, an oral, once-daily phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, is
currently in clinical development for the treatment of asthma.
OBJECTIVES: This pilot study examined the effect of roflumilast on
allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to histamine challenge and
asthmatic response to allergen challenge.
METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, 2-period, crossover trial, 13 patients
with mild allergic asthma [mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) %
predicted = 86%] received a single dose of oral roflumilast 1,000 microg or
placebo. Patients were administered roflumilast 60 min before allergen challenge,
and asthmatic responses were assessed via change in FEV(1)
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