Effect of Montelukast on Experimentally-Induced RV16 Infection in Asthma
![]() |
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00359073 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : August 1, 2006
Results First Posted : March 13, 2018
Last Update Posted : March 13, 2018
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
People with asthma may have asthma worsening when they have an upper respiratory infection due to a virus or a common cold. Leukotrienes are increased in nasal secretions from children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and lung washings during times of acute lung inflammation. Experimental virus exposure in adults is also associated with increases in nasal leukotrienes.
The degree to which leukotrienes play a role in asthma worsening is unknown.There is information linking leukotrienes to viral infections, allergic inflammation, and asthma exacerbation.This information supports the hypothesis that virus-induced leukotrienes contribute to the severity of respiratory infections and in susceptible individuals, lead to lower airway obstruction and exacerbations of asthma. We propose to use montelukast in an experimental viral challenge model to explore this hypothesis.
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Asthma | Drug: montelukast Drug: placebo | Not Applicable |
Viral infections are important causes of wheezing illnesses throughout childhood and in adults with asthma. There has been progress in identifying mechanisms and risk factors for severe respiratory symptoms, and in particular, wheezing. Given this close relationship, it would be attractive to apply antiviral strategies to the prevention and treatment of asthma, and both RV and RSV are obvious targets. Unfortunately, attempts at developing an RSV vaccine have so far been unsuccessful, and vaccination to prevent RV infection does not seem to be feasible due to the large number of serotypes. Antiviral medications have been tested in clinical trials, however one problem with this approach is that once the clinical signs and symptoms appear, viral replication is well underway.
The other potential therapeutic approach for respiratory viral infections would be to selectively inhibit pro-inflammatory immune responses induced by the virus. The beneficial effects of systemic glucocorticoids indicate that this approach is valid; the challenge will be to develop treatments with greater efficacy and a reduced potential for adverse effects. The large body of information linking cysteinyl leukotrienes to viral infections, allergic inflammation, and asthma exacerbations, strongly supports the hypothesis that virus-induced leukotrienes contribute to the severity of respiratory infections and in susceptible individuals, lead to lower airway obstruction and exacerbations of asthma. We propose to use montelukast in an experimental viral challenge model to explore this hypothesis.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 25 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Effect of Montelukast on Experimentally-Induced RV16 Infection in Volunteers With Mild Asthma |
Actual Study Start Date : | October 2006 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | January 2009 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | January 2009 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: Montelukast
montelukast (10 mg everyday)
|
Drug: montelukast
10 mg everyday
Other Name: Singulair |
Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Placebo comparator
|
Drug: placebo
like placebo
Other Name: like placebo |
- Mean Asthma Symptom Score [ Time Frame: Day 7 ]Asthma symptom scores were assessed twice per day with subjects completing a validated daytime diary card before bed and a nocturnal diary card on awakening. Subjects answered 4 questions about their asthma symptoms (0, none of the time; 6, all of the time). Daily score were calculated as the average of the 4 questions and an overall score for the week was assessed as the average of the daily scores. Time frame measurement was Day 7.
- Peak Viral Shedding [ Time Frame: Baseline and 7 days ]Viral shedding was measured in both groups. Viral titers from nasal lavage were calculated after 4 tissue culture tubes containing WI38 cells (human lung diploid cells) were inoculated for each serial 10-fold dilution of samples and incubated while rolling at 33 degrees Celsius for 10 days (measurement for analysis was taken at baseline and 7 days). Tubes were read at baseline and 7 days later. TCID50 was calculated as the concentration that was capable of infecting 50% of the tubes. Viral titers are expressed as TCID50 per milliliter. Time frame measurement was at baseline and 7 days.
- Sputum Eosinophil Count [ Time Frame: 14 days ]Sputum was collected from both groups over 14 days after inoculation with the cold virus. Cell counts and differentials were made from sputum samples after treatment with 0.1% dithiothreitol. Eosinophils were counted and are expressed as as percentage of cells (percent of the total number counted) at the 14 day timepoint.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
A subject with mild persistent asthma is eligible for participation in the study if all of the following inclusion criteria apply:
- Male or female with no health concerns that might affect the outcome of the study
- Age 18-65 range
- diagnosis of mild persistent asthma based on clinical findings such as cough, wheeze and shortness of breath
- a history of asthma for at least six months prior to screening
- FEV1> 80% of predicted
- presence of allergy based on at least one positive prick skin test when tested with a standard panel of common allergens
- ability to produce sputum when induced during the baseline assessments
- asthma medications consisting of only inhaled short acting B-agonist taken as needed
- reversible airways disease as indicated by > 12% reversibility post B-agonist or
- methacholine hyperresponsiveness (PC20 < 8 mg/ml)
- ability to give valid informed consent to participate by signing and dating a written consent form
Exclusion Criteria:
A subject is not eligible to participate in this study if any of the following exclusion criteria apply:
- History of severe episodes of asthma with respiratory infections
- Screening serum RV16 antibody titer > 1
- Current smoker or has a smoking history exceeding 5 pack years
- Currently receiving immunotherapy
- Currently participating in another clinical trial or has participated in an investigational drug trial within one month of screening
- Unable, in the judgment of the investigator, to comply with directions and/or tolerate the procedures required for participation in this trial
- Pregnant or breast-feeding or has a planned pregnancy during the course of the study
- Regular use of an asthma controller such as montelukast or an inhaled corticosteroid.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00359073
United States, Wisconsin | |
University of Wisconsin | |
Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53792 |
Principal Investigator: | James E Gern, MD | University of Wisconsin, Madison |
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Responsible Party: | University of Wisconsin, Madison |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00359073 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
H-2006-0173 31799 ( Other Identifier: PI ) |
First Posted: | August 1, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | March 13, 2018 |
Last Update Posted: | March 13, 2018 |
Last Verified: | March 2018 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
asthma leukotrienes rhinovirus |
Asthma Bronchial Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Lung Diseases Respiratory Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity, Immediate Hypersensitivity Immune System Diseases Montelukast |
Anti-Asthmatic Agents Respiratory System Agents Leukotriene Antagonists Hormone Antagonists Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Physiological Effects of Drugs Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inducers Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action |