Efficacy and tolerability of a new nasal spray formulation containing hyaluronate and tobramycin in cystic fibrosis patients with bacterial rhinosinusitis

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is common in cystic fibrosis (CF), as CFTR defects equally affect the airway and sinonasal mucosa. However, therapeutic strategies for CF-associated chronic rhinosinusitis lag behind current approaches for pulmonary disease. Objective: To assess the tolerability and efficacy of a nasal spray formulation containing 0.2% sodium hyaluronate and 3% tobramycin compared to a control formulation containing 0.2% sodium hyaluronate alone in the treatment of bacterial rhinosinusitis in patients with CF. Methods: In a double-blind controlled study, 27 patients with an established diagnosis of CF and a documented nasal infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and/or Staphylococcus aureus [22 males (81%), median age of 15. years (range 5-26. yrs)], were randomized to receive the nasal spray formulation containing hyaluronate and tobramycin (N= 14) or hyaluronate alone (N= 13) for 14. days. Efficacy and local tolerability of the treatments were assessed by ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination and related symptoms. Results: The formulation containing hyaluronate and tobramycin was more effective than hyaluronate alone in improving the status of the nasal mucosa, in reducing the mucopurulent secretion at the level of the osteomeatal complex and in improving ENT symptoms (hyposmia/anosmia and headache/facial pain). The treatment was well tolerated without relevant side effects. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the combination therapy with hyaluronate plus tobramycin was more effective than hyaluronate alone in the treatment of bacterial rhinosinusitis in CF. Trial registration number: EudraCT 2007-003628-39.