Author response: The human cough reflex has separate, distinct pathways

[摘要] We read with interest the recent publication by MORICE et al. [1] “The effect of gefapixant, a P2X3 antagonist, on cough reflex sensitivity: a randomised placebo-controlled study” and the accompanying editorial by TURNER and BIRRING [2] “Chronic cough: ATP, afferent pathways and hypersensitivity”. The authors of both publications conclude the results are suggestive of two separate neuronal pathways mediating the cough reflex; however, there are significant issues with this interpretation of the data. Gefapixant is a first in class therapy that blocks the effects of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) at P2X3 and also P2X2/3 ion channels on sensory nerves, and has already been shown to be highly efficacious at reducing the frequency of coughing in patients with refractory chronic cough [3, 4]. MORICE et al. [1] studied the effects of a single dose of gefapixant on experimentally evoked cough in healthy volunteers and patients with refractory chronic cough. Participants underwent four different cough challenges (capsaicin, citric acid, distilled water and ATP) after taking gefapixant and a matched placebo, in a double blinded randomised trial.

[学科分类] 呼吸医学