Highly Effective Modulators

CF Modulator therapies, like Trikafta, have been a game changer for cystic fibrosis treatment. We’ve compiled some information about the different types of CFTR modulator therapies available today.

woman smiles and holds up package of Trikafta medicine

What are CFTR modulators and how do they work?

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies work to correct the malfunctioning protein made by the CFTR gene. There are a few different CFTR modulators available that target specific mutations.

In people with CF, mutations in the CFTR gene result in either a defective protein being produced or no protein at all. The CFTR protein regulates the proper flow of water and chloride in and out of cells lining the lungs and other organs. A defect in this protein results in a buildup of thick, sticky mucus, which can lead to infections in the lungs and damage to the pancreas. It can also lead to problems in other parts of the body. CFTR modulator therapies, such as Trikafta, are designed to help the malfunctioning protein work better.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is currently advocating for access to CF modulator therapies for all who can benefit, including people with responsive rare CF mutations.

Learn about our advocacy efforts

What modulators are available?

There are four CFTR modulators approved for sale in Canada. Three of these – Kalydeco, Orkambi and Trikafta - are publicly funded, some with restrictions. One modulator - Symdeko – is only available through some private insurance plans.

Kalydeco

Kalydeco (ivacaftor) is the first-generation modulator, treating between 4-5% of the Canadian cystic fibrosis population. Kalydeco is approved for treatment of cystic fibrosis for those 2 months of age and older who have one of the following mutations: G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N, S549R, or R117H. Kalydeco is available through some public and private drug plans, in some cases only for certain mutations. In other countries the list of mutations approved for Kalydeco is different. For example, in the United States Kalydeco is approved for use in people with any of 97 different CF mutations. All mutations approved for Kalydeco in Canada have also been shown to respond to Trikafta, but that drug is not yet approved to treat these mutations in Canada.

Orkambi and Symdeko

Orkambi (lumacaftor and ivacaftor) and Symdeko (tezacaftor and ivacaftor) are second-generation modulators. Orkambi can treat the approximately 50% of the Canadian cystic fibrosis population that carry two copies of the most common CF mutation (F508del) and is approved by Health Canada for use in people age 1+. Orkambi is funded by some public and private drug programs with limitations. Health Canada has approved Symdeko for people age 12+ with two copies of the F508del mutation, or one copy of F508del and one copy of any of the following mutations: P67L, D110H, R117C, L206W, R352Q, A455E, D579G, 711+3A→G, S945L, S977F, R1070W, D1152H, 2789+5G→A, 3272-26A→G, and 3849+10kbC→T. No public drug plans fund Symdeko, but some private drug programs do. People over the age of 2 who are indicated for Orkambi and Symdeko are also indicated for Trikafta. Those 1-2 years of age on Orkambi may transition to the more effective Trikafta once they reach 2 years of age.

Trikafta

Trikafta (elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor) is a third-generation modulator and is approved by Health Canada for the approximately 90% of the Canadian cystic fibrosis population over the age of 2 who have at least one copy of F508del mutation.

Currently Trikafta is funded through all of Canada’s provincial, territorial and federal public drug programs for those aged six and older with at least one F508del mutation, and is becoming available in some jurisdictions for the 2 to 5-year-old age group.

Trikafta is a triple combination therapy, adding elexacaftor to tezacaftor and ivacaftor to target CFTR protein defects caused by the F508del mutation or another mutation responsive to the drug. Canadian research published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis demonstrates that access to Trikafta in 2021 would result in profound health benefits for Canadians living with cystic fibrosis. By 2030, Trikafta could reduce the number of people living with severe lung disease by 60% and reduce the number of deaths by 15%.

The findings show a significantly slower disease progression with an 18% increase in people with mild lung disease and 19% fewer hospitalizations or home intravenous antibiotics for pulmonary exacerbations. The estimated median age of survival for a child born with cystic fibrosis would increase by 9.2 years. Read more about this research.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which cystic fibrosis mutations can benefit from Trikafta?

Clinical trials for Trikafta were initially conducted in people with at least one copy of the F508del mutation and this is the only mutation that Health Canada has approved for this drug. Trikafta has been shown in laboratory studies, and through real world evidence in CF patients to be effective in many more mutations. In the United States, for example, Trikafta is approved for 177 mutations, including F508del. Despite this evidence, in Canada Trikafta currently remains approved by Health Canada for only F508del. If the indication were expanded to all of these 177 mutations, an additional approximately 200 Canadians could benefit from this life changing drug. In other countries other mutations beyond this list of 177 have been shown to benefit, and expanding access to these mutations would help even more Canadians.

Is Trikafta more effective than earlier generation cystic fibrosis gene modulator therapies?

Yes, and significantly so. On average, Trikafta use leads to a 14% increase in lung function over the untreated baseline. In clinical trials of the triple combination therapy, people with two copies of the F508del mutation had a 10% increase in lung function on average compared to treatment with Symdeko (that already provides a 4% increase over baseline), and people with a single copy of F508del had, on average, more than a 14% increase in lung function compared to treatment with the placebo.

SOURCE:

VX-445–Tezacaftor–Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and One or Two Phe508del Alleles | NEJM
Elexacaftor–Tezacaftor–Ivacaftor for Cystic Fibrosis with a Single Phe508del Allele | NEJM

Will everyone who takes Trikafta see significant improvement?

Cystic fibrosis is a disease that shows up in different ways for different people, so individual responses to Trikafta will vary. Many people on Trikafta have experienced a dramatic increase in lung function while others have experienced a more moderate increase or no significant change in lung function. As a heterogenous disease, the response to Trikafta will be individual and as such, those who demonstrated a more muted improvement in lung function may have seen improvements in other areas that are equally as important to consider, such as in BMI or overall quality of life.

It is also important to note that some people may feel side effects while taking Trikafta, including rash, headache, changes to their mental health and abdominal pain. In all cases, Cystic Fibrosis Canada encourages patients to discuss how they are responding to Trikafta with their clinics.

Modulator Consensus Guidelines

CF Canada has worked alongside clinicians across Canada to develop guidelines on starting, stopping and monitoring CFTR modulators such as Trikafta. To learn more about these guidelines view them under Resources for Clinicians.

More about Modulator Consensus Guidelines

How can I access Trikafta?

Accessing Trikafta is dependent upon your location in Canada. To learn more about how to access Trikafta in Canada we recommend speaking with your clinic team.

Help increase access to Trikafta in Canada

a young man and woman hold a cake with Trikafta written in icing