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A Surge of Biologics for Severe Asthma

Research continues to open new pathways in the treatment of severe asthma. Although biologics have done well in controlling severe eosinophilic and allergic asthma, a treatment need remains for patients with severe noneosinophilic asthma who do not respond to corticosteroids. Additionally, current biologics consist of injectable agents, many of which must be administered by a healthcare professional. A few companies are investigating new oral drugs and inhalers for use in patients with severe asthma.

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Articles of Interest

A pragmatic guide to choosing biologic therapies in severe asthma

As the number of available treatment options expands, decision making has become ever more complex. Without the benefit of head-to-head trials, knowing which biologic to initiate first in a patient eligible for multiple options can be daunting. However, it is important to recognise that based on currently available data, for most patients with severe eosinophilic asthma the majority of these therapies are likely to be effective.

Asthma biologics overview

Asthma biologics work in a targeted way by disrupting pathways causing airways inflammation, helping to manage symptoms, reduce relapses and may also reduce reliance on other medicines such as oral steroids.

Biologic therapies for severe asthma

Biologic treatments used for asthma are also known as monoclonal antibodies or mAbs for short. These are specialist treatments using antibodies produced from cells in a laboratory which can target specific cells in the body.

Biologic Therapy for Eosinophilic Asthma

Biologic therapies target the eosinophil inflammatory response, and they have been found to reduce asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations, decrease oral-corticosteroid use, improve lung function, and result in better overall quality of life for these refractory patients.

Biologic Therapy in The Management of Asthma

Current asthma management relies on inhaled corticosteroids, but some asthma is not well controlled with inhaled steroids alone or in combination with long-acting bronchodilators or leukotriene pathway inhibitors. The field of biologic therapy has grown dramatically in the past two decades, with current availability of three molecules, with two distinct, and highly selective approaches to interfering with the allergic and eosinophilic airway inflammation common to most asthma.

Biological therapy for severe asthma

In the last few years, new drugs have been launched and several asthma phenotypes according to definite biomarkers have been identified. In particular, therapy with biologics has revolutionized the management and the treatment of severe asthma, showing high therapeutic efficacy associated with significant clinical benefits.

Biologics for the Management of Severe Asthma

The primary benefit of biologics has been a decrease in the frequency of asthma exacerbations, including emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and need for oral steroids. Other benefits include reduced asthma symptoms, reduced dosage of other controller medication, and less missed school and work days.

Biologics in Asthma – The Next Step Towards Personalized Treatment

Asthma is a multifaceted disease and is associated with significant impairment and risk, and a therapeutic response that is highly variable. While current treatments are usually effective for patients with mild to moderate disease, patients with more severe asthma are often unresponsive to current efforts, and there remains a need for agents with properties which may achieve control in these individuals.

Patient experiences of biologic treatment for severe asthma: the good, the outstanding and the deeply frustrating

Biologic treatments can be life changing, apart from when they are not; healthcare professionals and researchers must not forget those for whom biologics are not an option

Patients With Asthma May Move Too Quickly to Biologics, Researchers Say

Two-thirds of patients with asthma who started biologic treatment had suboptimal adherence to their medications and one-third had mild disease, which researchers said are signs that they may have been escalated to biologics contrary to guidelines, according to a recent study.

Resources

Dupixent (Dupilumab)

DUPIXENT helps block a key source of inflammation by targeting a root cause of your condition.

Xolair (Omalizumab)

Moderate to severe persistent asthma in people 6 years of age and older whose asthma symptoms are not well controlled with asthma medicines called inhaled corticosteroids.