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Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal PolypsPhase 4TORNADONCT05942222

A Real-world, Head-to-head Comparison of Dupilumab Versus Mepolizumab in Danish Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

A Phase 4 study testing dupilumab and mepolizumab in people with Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps and Asthma; Eosinophilic, run by Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet at 9 sites in Denmark.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effects of two newly available biological drugs for the treatment of severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Danish patients. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
dupilumab and mepolizumab
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
220 participants
Where
9 sitesDenmark
Study dates
27 Apr 2023to 1 May 2026
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Bilateral polyps in nose and sinuses
  • ESS within the last three years (unless unfit for surgery y- in this study defined as either a severe somatic disease, for which other specialist advise against surgery, e.g., cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, or coagulation disorder OR/AND severe anxiety which can either be due to previous traumatic experiences with surgery or the postoperative period, post-traumatic stress disorder or severe anxiety disorder. In cases of doubt, investigators can ask for a written statement from the general practitioner or a psychiatrists/psychologist))
  • Optimal local treatment with saline irrigation and topical nasal steroids for at least three months (unless contraindicated)
  • Evidence of type 2 inflammation
  • Furthermore, patients must fulfil three out the following five criteria:
  • Need for systemic corticosteroids (at least two courses/year OR long-term treatment >3 months) or contraindication to systemic steroids
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Significantly impaired QoL (SNOT-22 score≥50)
  • Significant LoS (SSIT-16 score 0-8)
  • NPS ≥5 (with at least 2 on either side)
  • Asthma diagnosis (requiring inhaled corticosteroid (ICS))
  • Also: Age of 18 years or more and able to read and/or speak Danish

Who cannot join

  • Systemic corticosteroid treatment within the last three months
  • Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) within the last six months
  • Non-adherent to medicine regimens
  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients in the two IMPs
  • Not able to understand spoken and/or written Danish
  • Participation-current or previous (within the last year)-in another investigational drug trial with monoclonal antibodies for asthma, CRSwNP, atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis.
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Previous treatment failure with one of the IMPs for any indication (treatment failure is defined as failure to achieve the desired therapeutic outcome or effectively manage a condition within an expected timeframe)
  • Eosinophilic blood cell count of ≥1.5x10^9cells/L (at baseline, i.e. before first injection)
  • Pronounced fear of needles
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding patients

Trial locations and contacts

9 sites in 1 country.

9 sites in 1 country

Denmark9 sites
  • Aalborg Universitetssygehus Syd

    Aalborg, 9000

  • Aarhus Universitetshospital Skejby

    Aarhus, 8200

  • Rigshospitalet

    Copenhagen, 2100

  • Sydvestjysk Sygehus Esbjerg

    Esbjerg, 6700

  • Regionshospitalet Gødstrup

    Herning, 7400

  • Nordsjællands Hospital

    Hillerød, 3400

  • Sjællands Universitetshospital Køge

    Køge, 4600

  • Odense Universitetshospital

    Odense, 5000

  • Sygehus Lillebælt Vejle

    Vejle, 7100

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: Treatment of Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyposis With Dupilumab and Mepolizumab: A Randomized, Multi-centre, Head-to-head Comparison in Real-world Danish Patients

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effects of two newly available biological drugs for the treatment of severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in Danish patients.

The main questions it aims to answer are whether the two drugs are comparable in effect after 24 weeks in terms of:

Read more
  • A subjective score (the SNOT-22)
  • An objective score, i.e.the physician-assessed score of nasal polyp size (the Nasal Polyp Score (0-8))

Methods:

Participants will be randomized to receive one of the IMPs drug in the standard dose. After 24 weeks the effect is assessed by subjective and objective measures. If the criteria set by the Danish Medicinal Council are met (see elsewhere), treatment continues with the same drug for an additional 24 weeks. If the effect criteria are not met, the subject crosses-over to the opposite drug for an additional 24 weeks. After 48 weeks the effect is assessed once more.

Read the detailed description

Objectives:

  • The primary objective is to
  1. establish non-inferiority of dupilumab versus mepolizumab, and if that is established, then
  2. test for possible superiority of dupilumab over mepolizumab in the following hierarchical order (SNOT-22 - Sniffin' Sticks 16 - NPS - ACQ
  • The secondary objective is to explore any other relevant differences between mepolizumab and dupilumab in terms of frequency of AEs, need for rescue treatments, diversity in outcome based on endotype or comorbidity or other factors, that can lead to a patient-centred approach, when choosing treatment for CRSwNP.

Trial design:

A randomized, multi-center non-inferiority trial (phase IV RCT). The trial is unblinded.

Investigational medicinal products (IMPs) will be "off-the-shelf" and administered in EMA-approved dosages and -intervals.

Trial population:

The trial aims to include 220 patients with severe, uncontrolled CRSwNP (110 patients in each treatment group). The patients will be recruited from 9 different sites across Denmark. Treatment in Denmark is 100% subsidized by the state.

Methods:

Subjects fulfilling inclusion criteria will be randomized 1:1 to either dupilumab or mepolizumab. After 24 weeks a halfway evaluation will decide if subjects are to stay in their current treatment arm, or cross-over to the opposite arm.

By including 220 participants (effectively 176 participants after 20% drop-outs) the study will achieve a power of >95% to show non-inferiority of dupilumab to mepolizumab for both co-primary endpoints with the following criteria: Level of significance for both endpoints of a one-sided test, p<0.025 and including previously found standard deviation (SD) values 1.9 for NPS and 22 for SNOT-22, an expected superior effect of 0.7 for NPS and 7 on SNOT-22, a minimal clinically relevant difference (MCID) of 1 for NPS and 12 for SNOT-22, respectively.

Trial medication:

All trial medication will be "off the shelf" i.e. no special labelling. It will be provided by hospital pharmacies in accordance with GMP. The investigational medicinal products (IMPs) are dupilumab (Dupixent, Sanofi) and mepolizumab (Nucala, GSK). Dupilumab are administered as subcutaneous injections of 300 mg every two weeks in the first 24 weeks. If the DMC response criteria (table 2) are met after 24 weeks, the dosing interval will be increased to every four weeks, in accordance with previous research and DMC recommendations. Mepolizumab is administered subcutaneously as 100 mg sc. every four weeks. Patients will continue standard of care treatment of INCS and saline irrigation, unless contraindicated.

If rescue treatment is needed, a course of oral corticosteroids (Prednisolone) 37.5 mg once daily for 7 days will be given.

Trial schedule:

Planned first subject first visit May 2023

Planned last subject randomized February 2025

Planned last subject last visit:March 2026

End of trial March 2026

Being tested
dupilumab, mepolizumab
Medical subject headings
Pulmonary Eosinophilia, Eosinophilia

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • dupilumabBiological

    Also called Dupixent

    Subcutaneus injections in standard doses, i.e. 300 mg s.c. every 2 weeks.

  • mepolizumabBiological

    Also called Nucala

    Subcutaneus injections in standard doses, i.e. 100 mg s.c. every 4 weeks.

Study groups in NCT05942222
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dupilumab week 0-24 300 mg/2 weeksActive comparatorNormal dose and interval of Dupixent i.e. 300 mg s.c. every 2 weeks
Receives: Biological: dupilumab
Mepolizumab week 0-24 100 mg/4 weeksActive comparatorNormal dose and interval of Nucala i.e. 100 mg s.c. every 4 weeks
Receives: Biological: mepolizumab
Dupilumab week 24-48 300 mg/4 weeksActive comparatorIncreased dosage interval of Dupixent i.e. 300 mg s.c. every 4 weeks - for subjects on Dupixent who met the 24 weeks effect criteria
Receives: Biological: dupilumab
Dupilumab week 24-48 300 mg/2 weeksActive comparatorNormal dose and interval of Dupixent i.e. 300 mg s.c. every 2 weeks but for subjects who have crossed over after 24 weeks due to unmet effect criteria.
Receives: Biological: dupilumab
Mepolizumab week 24-48 100 mg/4 weeksActive comparatorNormal dose and interval of Nucala i.e. 100 mg s.c. every 4 weeks but for subjects who have crossed-over after 24 weeks due to unmet effect criteria.
Receives: Biological: mepolizumab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. SNOT-22

    Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 - change in score since baseline is measured.

    Measured: Week 24

  2. NPS

    Nasal Polyp Score (0-8): 0 is no polyps, 4 is polyps extending below inferior turbinate's lower border. Each side is scored. The change in score at week 24 since baseline is measured.

    Measured: Week 24

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. SNOT-22

    Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 - change in score since week 24 and week 0 if applicable

    Measured: Week 48

  2. NPS

    Nasal Polyp Score (0-8): 0 is no polyps, 4 is polyps extending below inferior turbinate - lower border. Each side is scored. Change in score since week 24 and week 0 if applicable

    Measured: Week 48

  3. Smell score (Sniffin' Sticks Identification Test-16- SSIT-16)

    Change since baseline in SSIT-16 (range 0-16, where 0-8 is anosmia)

    Measured: Week 48

  4. Asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire)

    Proportion of patients with ACQ score > 0,5 indicating well-controlled asthma.

    Measured: Week 48

  5. Nasal Congestion Score (NCS)

    Range 0-3. Change since baseline

    Measured: Week 48

  6. Visual Analogue Scale of: smell/asthma/Chronic rhinosinusitis/N-ERD

    Change in VAS-score (range 0-10) since baseline

    Measured: Week 48

  7. Proportion meeting the evaluation criteria set by the DMC

    The DMC criteria is available at medicinraadets website medicinraadet.dk

    Measured: Week 48

  8. Fraction of Nitrous Oxide in expired air (FeNO)

    A score above 25 indicates eosinophilic inflammation.

    Measured: Week 48

  9. Proportion needing rescue treatment

    A rescue treatment is defined as systemic oral corticoids or endoscopic sinus surgery.

    Measured: Week 48

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jul 2023
  2. Study start27 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Apr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 May 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
220 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05942222
Sponsor's protocol ID
2022-ENT-3
Acronym
TORNADO
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
22 May 2023
Last updated
1 Jul 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing dupilumab and mepolizumab in people with Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps and Asthma; Eosinophilic, run by Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet at 9 sites in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 9 sites in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

SNOT-22 (time frame: Week 24). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jul 2025.

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