Publications
Goat lung surfactant for treatment of respiratory distress syndrome among preterm neonates: a multi-site randomized non-inferiority trial
Medhanyie AA, Alemu H, Asefa A, Beyene SA, Gebregizabher FA, Aziz K, Bhandari N, Beyene H, Brune T, Chan G, Cranmer JN, Darmstadt G, Duguma D, Fikre A, Andualem BG, Gobezayehu AG, Mariam DH, Abay TH, Mohan HL, Jadaun A, Jayanna K, Kajal FNU, Kar A, Krishna R, Kumar A, Kumar V, Madhur TK, Belew ML, M R, Martines J, Mazumder S, Amin H, Mony PK, Muleta M, Pileggi-Castro C, Pn Rao S, Estifanos AS, Sibley LM, Singhal N, Tadele H, Tariku A, Lemango ET, Tadesse BT, Upadhyay R, Worku B, Hadush MY, Bahl R Abstract
Objective
To investigate the safety and efficacy of goat lung surfactant extract (GLSE) compared with bovine surfactant extract (beractant; Survanta®, AbbVie, USA) for the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
Study design
We conducted a double-blind, non-inferiority, randomized trial in seven Indian centers between June 22, 2016 and January 11, 2018. Preterm neonates of 26 to 32 weeks gestation with clinical diagnosis of RDS were randomized to receive either GLSE or beractant. Repeat dose, if required, was open-label beractant in both the groups. The primary outcome was a composite of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Interim analyses were done by an independent data and safety monitoring board (DSMB).
Result
After the first interim analyses on 5% enrolment, the “need for repeat dose(s) of surfactant” was added as an additional primary outcome and enrolment restricted to intramural births at five of the seven participating centers. Following second interim analysis after 98 (10% of 900 planned) neonates were enroled, DSMB recommended closure of study in view of inferior efficacy of GLSE in comparison to beractant. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of death or BPD between GLSE group (n = 52) and beractant group (n = 46) (50.0 vs. 39.1%; OR 1.5; 95% CI 0.7–3.5; p = 0.28). The need for repeat dose of surfactant was significantly higher in GLSE group (65.4 vs. 17.4%; OR 9.0; 95% CI 3.5–23.3; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
Goat lung surfactant was less efficacious than beractant (Survanta®) for treatment of RDS in preterm infants. Reasons to ascertain inferior efficacy of goat lung surfactant requires investigation and possible mitigating strategies in order to develop a low-cost and effective surfactant.
