Granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), yet its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, and no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapies exist. Cellular senescence, a state associated with inflammation and fibrosis, has been implicated in chronic lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, where senolytic therapies have shown benefit. Cellular senescence has also been described in some cases of GLILD.
To evaluate the efficacy of fisetin, a senolytic flavonoid, compared with placebo in adults with CVID-associated GLILD.
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial in 10 adults with GLILD (Figure 1). Participants received fisetin 20 mg/kg or placebo on days 0–1 and 28–29, with follow-up over 180 days. Assessments included pulmonary function testing (PFT) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
Fisetin was well tolerated, with no adverse events. SF-36 Mental Health scores were numerically higher in fisetin participants (day 28: −0.28; day 180: 0.00) than placebo (day 28: −0.56; day 180: −0.28).
Mental Component Summary scores remained stable in the fisetin group (−0.65 to −0.70) but declined in the placebo group (−1.09 to −1.94). All other SF-36 domains were comparable between groups.
Mean spirometry measures were stable in both groups. With fisetin, lung volumes increased over time, with increases in mean total lung capacity (5.46 to 5.76 L), residual volume (1.69 to 2.09 L), and residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) (0.31 to 0.37). In contrast, the placebo group demonstrated decreases in total lung capacity (4.72 to 4.62 L), residual volume (1.89 to 1.72 L), and RV/TLC (0.41 to 0.38). Diffusion capacity corrected increased from baseline to day 90 in the fisetin group (13.9 to 15.9) and remained stable at day 180, whereas it declined in the placebo group by day 180 (19.1 to 17.6).
In this randomized pilot study, fisetin was well tolerated and showed benefit in diffusion capacity, lung volumes, and mental health–related outcomes compared to placebo in GLILD. The temporal pattern of changes suggests that alternative dosing strategies may warrant further evaluation, in addition to potentially larger future studies.
CONSORT flow diagram.
