Safety and Efficacy of Pirfenidone in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
![]() |
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: NCT00287729 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : February 7, 2006
Results First Posted : June 13, 2011
Last Update Posted : April 17, 2017
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- Study Results
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis | Drug: Pirfenidone Drug: Placebo | Phase 3 |
This is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, safety and efficacy study of pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Approximately 320 patients at approximately 50 centers will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive pirfenidone 2403 milligrams or placebo equivalent administered in divided doses three times per day (TID) with food. The primary outcome variable will be the absolute change in percent predicted Forced Vital Capacity from Baseline to Week 72. Patients will be randomized by geographic region.
Patients will receive blinded study treatment from the time of randomization until the last patient randomized has been treated for 72 weeks. A Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) will periodically review safety and efficacy data to ensure patient safety.
After week 72, patients who meet the Progression of Disease (POD) definition, which is a ≥ 10% absolute decrease in percent predicted Forced Vital Capacity or a ≥ 15% absolute decrease in percent predicted carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco), will be eligible to receive permitted idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis therapies in addition to their blinded study drug. Permitted idiopathic pulmonary therapies include corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and N-acetyl-cysteine (with restrictions).
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 344 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Phase 3 Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Pirfenidone in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis |
Study Start Date : | April 2006 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | November 2008 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | November 2008 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: 2403 mg/day pirfenidone
2403 mg/day pirfenidone dose group.
|
Drug: Pirfenidone
2403 mg/day given orally, and administered in divided doses three times daily with food, for the duration of the study. |
Placebo Comparator: placebo
Placebo equivalent.
|
Drug: Placebo
Placebo equivalent, given orally, and administered in divided doses three times daily with food, for the duration of the study. |
- Absolute Change in Percent Predicted Forced Vital Capacity(FVC) [ Time Frame: Baseline to week 72 ]Mean Change in Percent Predicted Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) as measured from baseline to week 72. It is calculated as the simple difference between baseline Percent Predicted FVC measurements and week 72 Percent Predicted FVC measurements.
- Categorical Assessment of Absolute Change in Percent Predicted Forced Vital Capacity [ Time Frame: Baseline to week 72 ]Based on the change in baseline percent predicted FVC at week 72, patients were assigned to 1 of 5 categories: mild decline (<10% but >=0% decline), moderate decline (<20% but >=10% decline), severe decline (>=20% decline), mild improvement (>0% but <10% improvement), or moderate improvement (>=10% improvement). Those who died or had a lung transplant before Week 72 were included in the severe decline category. The results indicate the number of patients who experience Categorical Change in Percent Predicted Forced Vital Capacity.
- Progression-free Survival [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 72 ]Progression is defined as the first occurrence of a 10% absolute decline from baseline in percent predicted Forced Vital Capacity, a 15% absolute decline from baseline in percent predicted hemoglobin(Hgb)-corrected carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco), or, death.
- Change in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Distance [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 72 ]The change from Baseline to week 72 in distance walked during the 6-Minute Walk Test. This measure was calculated as the simple difference between baseline distanced walked over 6 minutes and week 72 distance walked over 6 minutes as measured in meters (m).
- Change in Worst Oxygen Saturation by Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) Measurement Observed During the 6-Minute Walk Test [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 72 ]The change from baseline to week 72 in worst oxygen saturation during the 6-Minute Walk Test as measure by Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) Level. It is calculated as the simple difference between baseline SpO2 measurements and week 72 SpO2 measurements.
- Change in Percent Predicted Hemoglobin (Hb)-Corrected Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity (DLco) of the Lungs [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 72 ]The change from baseline to week 72 in Percent Predicted Hemoglobin (Hb)-Corrected Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity (DLco) of the Lungs. It is calculated as the simple difference between baseline DLco measurements and week 72 DLco measurements.
- Change in Dyspnea Score [ Time Frame: Baseline to Week 72 ]The mean change from baseline to week 72 in Dyspnea score was measured by the University of San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ). The SOBQ is used to assess shortness of breath with various activities of daily living (for example, brushing ones teeth or mowing the lawn). Patients rated the severity of their shortness of breath experienced on an average day during the past week on a 6 point scale (0 to 5),with 0= not at all breathless, 4= severely breathless and 5= Maximally or unable to do because of breathlessness.
- Worsening of IPF [ Time Frame: Time to acute IPF exacerbation, IPF-related death, lung transplant or respiratory hospitalization, whichever comes first. ]
Worsening of IPF was defined by the occurrence of any of the following events:
Acute IPF exacerbation, IPF-related death, Lung transplantation, or Respiratory hospitalization.

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: | 40 Years to 80 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Primary Inclusion criteria:
- diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- 40 to 80 years of age
- Forced Vital Capacity ≥ 50% predicted value
- carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) ≥ 35% predicted value
- either Forced Vital Capacity or carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLco) ≤ 90% predicted value
- no improvement in past year
- able to walk 150 meters in 6 minutes and maintain saturation ≥ 83% while on no more than 6 liters per minute supplemental oxygen
Primary Exclusion criteria:
- unable to undergo pulmonary function testing
- evidence of significant obstructive lung disease or airway hyper-responsiveness
- in the clinical opinion of the investigator, the patient is expected to need and be eligible for a lung transplant within 72 weeks of randomization
- active infection
- liver disease
- cancer or other medical condition likely to result in death within 2 years
- diabetes
- pregnancy or lactation
- substance abuse
- personal or family history of long QT syndrome
- other IPF treatment
- unable to take study medication
- withdrawal from other IPF trials

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): NCT00287729
United States, California | |
InterMune, Inc. | |
Brisbane, California, United States, 94005 |
Responsible Party: | Genentech, Inc. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00287729 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
PIPF-006 Capacity 1 |
First Posted: | February 7, 2006 Key Record Dates |
Results First Posted: | June 13, 2011 |
Last Update Posted: | April 17, 2017 |
Last Verified: | March 2017 |
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis |
Lung Pirfenidone InterMune |
Pulmonary Fibrosis Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Fibrosis Pathologic Processes Lung Diseases, Interstitial Lung Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases Pirfenidone Analgesics |
Sensory System Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Analgesics, Non-Narcotic Anti-Inflammatory Agents Antirheumatic Agents Antineoplastic Agents |