Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough

Chronic cough is a prevalent and challenging condition, with limited treatment options available. The interpretation of clinical trial results for antitussive drugs is complicated by the presence of the placebo response, which can confound outcomes and impede regulatory approval. This review aims to...

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Main Authors: Mengru Zhang, Bangyu Zhang, Alyn H. Morice
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Respiratory Society 2024-10-01
Series:ERJ Open Research
Online Access:http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/10/5/00335-2024.full
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author Mengru Zhang
Bangyu Zhang
Alyn H. Morice
author_facet Mengru Zhang
Bangyu Zhang
Alyn H. Morice
author_sort Mengru Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Chronic cough is a prevalent and challenging condition, with limited treatment options available. The interpretation of clinical trial results for antitussive drugs is complicated by the presence of the placebo response, which can confound outcomes and impede regulatory approval. This review aims to explore the impact of the placebo response on clinical trials for cough medications and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved. The multifaceted nature of antitussive effects, including pharmacological, psychological/neurobiological and nonspecific effects, is discussed. Additionally, potential solutions to address the placebo response in future cough medication development, such as strategic study design, appropriate choice of end-points and meticulous patient selection, are proposed. More progress to harness this issue is urgently needed.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2312-0541
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publisher European Respiratory Society
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series ERJ Open Research
spelling doaj-art-ed1756ac03a643e09a01af9f6b09182c2024-11-11T16:33:08ZengEuropean Respiratory SocietyERJ Open Research2312-05412024-10-0110510.1183/23120541.00335-202400335-2024Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic coughMengru Zhang0Bangyu Zhang1Alyn H. Morice2 Centre for Clinical Science, Respiratory Medicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK Clinical Research Center, Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China Centre for Clinical Science, Respiratory Medicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK Chronic cough is a prevalent and challenging condition, with limited treatment options available. The interpretation of clinical trial results for antitussive drugs is complicated by the presence of the placebo response, which can confound outcomes and impede regulatory approval. This review aims to explore the impact of the placebo response on clinical trials for cough medications and elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved. The multifaceted nature of antitussive effects, including pharmacological, psychological/neurobiological and nonspecific effects, is discussed. Additionally, potential solutions to address the placebo response in future cough medication development, such as strategic study design, appropriate choice of end-points and meticulous patient selection, are proposed. More progress to harness this issue is urgently needed.http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/10/5/00335-2024.full
spellingShingle Mengru Zhang
Bangyu Zhang
Alyn H. Morice
Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
ERJ Open Research
title Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
title_full Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
title_fullStr Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
title_full_unstemmed Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
title_short Decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
title_sort decoding the impact of the placebo response in clinical trials for chronic cough
url http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/10/5/00335-2024.full
work_keys_str_mv AT mengruzhang decodingtheimpactoftheplaceboresponseinclinicaltrialsforchroniccough
AT bangyuzhang decodingtheimpactoftheplaceboresponseinclinicaltrialsforchroniccough
AT alynhmorice decodingtheimpactoftheplaceboresponseinclinicaltrialsforchroniccough