This week sees the publication of two large phase III randomized controlled trials of inhaled aztreonam in bronchiectasis. The global studies investigated whether patients with chronic Gram-negative colonisation would benefit in terms of improved quality of life (primary end-point) or reduced exacerbations with 2 monthly cycles of inhaled aztreonam.

Unfortunately the trial failed to meet its primary end-point. The drug was poorly tolerated with a higher drop-out rate in the active versus placebo arms. This adds to a growing list of medicines that have failed to transition from cystic fibrosis to bronchiectasis.

Read more about the trial here and read the linked editorial here