Ensifentrine in Stable COPD
ENSIFENTRINE improved symptoms, dyspnea, and quality of life in stable COPD without exacerbations in ENHANCE trials. The post hoc analysis evaluated 1,384 patients over twenty four weeks, comparing ensifentrine with placebo. Baseline demographics and disease characteristics were similar across groups, including dyspnea burden, symptom scores, and health status measures. The primary signal was a consistent improvement in dyspnea measured by the Transition Dyspnea Index at weeks six, twelve, and twenty four, with statistical significance versus placebo. A greater proportion of patients on ensifentrine achieved the minimal clinically important difference of at least one unit at each time point, indicating a tangible benefit for breathlessness in daily activities.
Patient-Reported Outcomes and Clinical Meaning
Benefits extended to respiratory symptoms captured by the Evaluating Respiratory Symptoms total score at weeks six, twelve, and twenty four. More patients on ensifentrine met the responder threshold of at least a two point reduction at weeks six and twelve, with a numerical advantage maintained at week twenty four. Health related quality of life, assessed by the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, improved with ensifentrine at all measured visits and reached significance at weeks six and twelve. More patients on ensifentrine met the responder threshold of at least a four point reduction at these time points, again with a numerical advantage at week twenty four.
How These Findings Fit Practice
These results suggest that ensifentrine can complement existing maintenance regimens for stable COPD patients who remain symptomatic despite usual therapies. The consistent pattern across dyspnea, symptom scores, and quality of life provides convergent evidence of clinical benefit for everyday function. Notably, effects were observed in patients who did not experience exacerbations during the study period, underscoring a role for ensifentrine in addressing persistent symptom burden that affects activity tolerance and patient reported health status. Ongoing reporting from the presenting investigators is expected to provide additional detail on these outcomes.
Reference: CHEST. Ensifentrine Improves Symptoms, Dyspnea, and Quality of Life in Stable COPD Patients Without Exacerbations: ENHANCE Trials. 2025. Available at: https://www.chestnet.org/-/media/documents/news/ensifentrine-improves-symptoms.ashx. Last accessed: 22 October 2025.
