In 2006, a landmark study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT), demonstrated that some emphysema patients can benefit from a surgical treatment for emphysema known as lung volume reduction surgery. This procedure involves opening the chest and cutting away the most diseased portions of the lungs. While effective for some patients, this procedure is extremely invasive and is only suitable for approximately 10 percent of patients who have the most advanced cases of the disease. Post-surgical complications occur in a majority of patients, and include leaks in fragile lung tissue, respiratory failure, heart beat irregularities, and infections. About 5 percent of patients die within 90 days of surgery.
However, a new non-surgical treatment that reduces lung volume is currently in clinical trials and is showing promise in patients. Developed by Aeris Therapeutics, the Biologic Lung Volume Reduction (BLVR) System is designed to improve lung function and relieve symptoms for patients with advanced emphysema.
With BLVR, a physician uses a bronchoscope to direct treatment to the most damaged areas of the patient’s lungs. The treatment delivers a precisely proportioned proprietary mixture of drugs and biologics which, when combined at the treatment site, form a bioabsorbable gel. The gel is comprised of clotting proteins that deliver the treatment, an antibiotic to prevent infection and drugs designed to remodel damaged areas of the lungs—actually using the body’s natural scar formation response to permanently collapse the diseased areas. This reduction in lung volume creates more space for adjacent healthier parts of the lungs to function more effectively. The gel polymerizes quickly after delivery so it does not migrate to non-targeted areas of the lung. In addition, since no implant remains in the body, it obviates the risks of long-term infection, implant migration or tissue reaction.
Aeris Therapeutics has completed enrollment in Phase 2 clinical trials of BLVR. Results indicate that BLVR is well tolerated and is associated with significant improvements in breathing function, symptoms and quality of life. Based upon these results, Aeris is moving forward with a Phase 3 program to confirm the favorable responses observed in Phase 2.
We invite you to explore our research publications, clinical trials, and related links to learn more about the scientific foundation of our therapeutic programs.
