Outcomes of Dupilumab Treatment versus Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Comparative real-world outcomes of dupilumab versus endoscopic sinus surgery in the treatment of severe CRSwNP patients

INTRODUCTION

Management of severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has changed significantly in recent years, with different treatments now available including biologics and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), although there are still few comparative studies. We aimed to compare 1-year outcomes of patients with severe CRSwNP treated with dupilumab or ESS plus intranasal corticosteroids (INCS).

METHODS

In this retrospective, real-life, observational, cohort study, we enrolled 101 patients with severe CRSwNP who were treated with INCS and either ESS (n = 49) or dupilumab (n = 52). The following outcomes were considered: nasal polyp score (NPS), Sino Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), visual analogue scale (VAS) for specific symptoms, Sniffin' Sticks identification test (SSIT), need for oral corticosteroids (OCS) and local eosinophilia detected by nasal cytology.

RESULTS

ΔNPS was significantly higher in the surgery group up to 12 months when the difference with dupilumab group was no longer significant (ΔNPS: 4 vs. 4.1). ΔVAS rhinorrhoea, ΔVAS smell and ΔSNOT-22 were significantly higher in the dupilumab group at 12 months (p < .05). SSIT scores were significantly better in the dupilumab group starting from the first month of follow-up (p < .05). In the dupilumab group, only 6.1% of patients had detectable local eosinophilia compared to 57% in the surgery group alongside with a lower need for OCS (16.3% vs. 61%).

CONCLUSIONS

Both dupilumab and ESS were effective in improving outcomes in patients with severe CRSwNP over 12 months. Nevertheless, patients treated with dupilumab had greater improvement in terms of SNOT-22, VAS rhinorrhoea, VAS smell and SSIT scores, with better control of local inflammation and less need for OCS.

Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip (PND) is a common symptom encountered when evaluating subjects with sinonasal disease; it may be present without sinonasal disease or as a symptom of laryngopharyngeal reflux. It is postulated that PND stems from dysfunction of normal mucus clearance mechanisms; however, there is no definitive evidence elucidating an exact pathophysiology. Compounding the uncertainties surrounding PND is the lack of an objective assessment tool. Instead, treating physicians must rely on subjective complaints and investigators utilize validated patient-reported outcome instruments, such as the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, to determine treatment efficacy. This review seeks to discuss the current understanding of PND and evidence regarding effective treatment strategies.

Biologics versus functional endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a literature review

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature comparing functional endoscopic sinus surgery to dupilumab for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, in terms of symptom control, cost-effectiveness and complications.

METHOD

A literature review was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect and Cochrane databases. Data were extracted manually.

RESULTS

A total of six papers relevant to the main objective were found.

CONCLUSION

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Both functional endoscopic sinus surgery and dupilumab achieve comparable disease control and result in good symptom relief. Dupilumab is far more expensive than functional endoscopic sinus surgery and is not considered cost-effective for the time being. This is expected to change after 10 years when the drug patent expires. More research is needed to compare the complications of both treatment modalities.

Real-Life Study of Patient Preference for Dupilumab or Revision Surgery for Recurrent Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

(1) Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has a high rate of recurrence in patients, despite therapy with local corticosteroids and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Dupilumab, a recombinant monoclonal human IgG4 antibody directed against the IL-4 receptor α that inhibits both IL-4 and IL-13 signal transduction, is available for symptomatic therapy. Patient preference between repeated surgery and injection therapy with Dupilumab is not known. (2) Methods: Patients who had experienced at least one surgical intervention for nasal polyps and were treated with Dupilumab for at least 3 months completed a retrospective patient questionnaire. (3) Results: In a cohort of 75 previously operated CRSwNP patients, 91.5% preferred therapy with Dupilumab to repeated surgery for nasal polyps. Preference for Dupilumab in the subgroups of patients with concomitant Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (N-ERD) (n = 32), patients with concomitant asthma (n = 25), and patients without concomitant disease (n = 18) was 100%, 96%, and 72%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: Patient preference for Dupilumab over repeat surgery is strongest in previously operated CRSwNP patients with concomitant asthma or N-ERD, but remains very high in patients without concomitant disease.

Effectiveness of dupilumab versus endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of type-2 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a preliminary report

PURPOSE

Historically managed with intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) and endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), type-2 Chronic RhinoSinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) treatment was revolutionized by the introduction of dupilumab but universally accepted guidelines are still lacking.

METHODS

Patients treated at our University Hospital for type-2 CRSwNP were enrolled. Demographic data were collected, as well as laboratory (eosinophils, total IgE), endoscopic [nasal polyps score (NPS), modified Lund-Kennedy score (mLKS)], radiological [Lund-Mackay score (LMS) at CT scan], SNOT-22, and olfactory [Sniffin' Sticks identification test (SSIT)] features. Patients were treated with dupilumab or ESS and re-evaluated after 3 and 12 months.

RESULTS

At 3 and 12 months, patients undergoing ESS achieved a higher reduction of NPS and mLKS, while patients receiving dupilumab experienced a higher improvement at SNOT-22 and SSIT with a greater positive variation in the prevalence of anosmia (- 57.7% vs - 42.9%) and normosmia (+ 37.8 vs + 28.5%). Mean mLKS and LMS were quite similar. Results were independent of clinical features known to contribute to CRSwNP severity, except for patients with ≥ 2 prior ESS who had a significantly lower smell improvement.

CONCLUSION

ESS and dupilumab were effective at reducing CRSwNP inflammatory burning. CRSwNP smell impairment cannot be attributed only to olfactory cleft obstruction and other mechanisms may be involved. Dupilumab acts systemically with poor correlation with NPS. As of today, dupilumab appears to be more suitable for elderly patients with anesthesiological contraindications and/or several previous surgeries, while ESS may represent the first-line choice in surgery-naive patients.

Optimizing the timing of biologic and surgical therapy for patients with refractory chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP)

INTRODUCTION

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is often treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS); however, patients may require revision surgery due to recurrence. To date, no studies have compared outcomes for combined surgery and biologic therapy for CRSwNP compared with biologic therapy alone.

METHODS

Retrospective case-control study of CRSwNP patients who underwent ESS while on dupilumab or mepolizumab (ESS-biologic cohort) compared with CRSwNP patients on biologic therapy (biologic-only controls). Cohorts were matched according to indication, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), and total polyp scores.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent ESS while on biologic therapy (13 dupilumab and 3 mepolizumab). Sixteen patients were biologic-only controls. There were no significant differences between indication, baseline SNOT-22 scores, polyp scores, and AERD status between cohorts. Patients underwent surgery a median of 33 days after starting biologic therapy. After 12 months of follow-up, the total polyp score for the ESS-biologic cohort decreased from 4.73 to 0.09 compared with a decrease from 5.22 to 3.38 for the biologic-only controls (95% confidence interval [CI] of difference: -5.37 to -1.38, Cohen's d: 2.40, p = 0.005). In the ESS-dupilumab subanalysis, the ESS-dupilumab cohort had a significant reduction in polyp burden from 4.85 to 0.00 compared with 4.88 to 3.50 for the controls (95% CI of difference: -5.68 to -1.32, Cohen's d: -1.69, p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In CRSwNP patients, combined ESS and biologic therapy results in a significant and sustained decrease in polyp burden compared with biologic therapy alone. Larger studies are warranted to further examine the impact of combined therapy.

The effect of biologics in lung function and quality of life of patients with united airways disease: A systematic review

Background

Increasing evidence supports the united airway disease concept for the management of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases, particularly in patients with asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, evidence for a combined approach in asthma and CRSwNP is scarce.

Objective

In this systematic review, we focused on the role of biologics in the lung function and quality of life in patients with severe asthma and CRSwNP.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of 3 electronic databases using 2 search strategies to identify studies published from January 2010 to March 2022. Quality assessment was performed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme.

Results

Of 1030 studies identified, 48 original studies reporting data of benralizumab (12), dupilumab (14), mepolizumab (10), omalizumab (13), and reslizumab (2) were analyzed. Primary diagnosis was mostly asthma or CRSwNP, with only 15 studies, mainly observational, performed in populations with united airway disease. In total, 18 studies reported data on quality of life (mostly 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test score), 8 on lung function (mostly FEV1), and 22 on both outcomes. Significant FEV1 and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test score improvements were consistently observed after 24-week treatment, and thereafter, mostly in real-world studies that included variable proportions of patients with asthma/CRSwNP.

Conclusions

The use of biologics in patients with severe asthma and CRSwNP was overall associated with significant improvements in lung function and quality of life. However, we observed a high heterogeneity of populations and outcome measurements across studies. Notwithstanding the need of larger studies, our results reinforce the joint management of asthma and CRSwNP as united airway disease in clinical practice.

Endoscopic Extended Sinus Surgery for Patients with Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps, the Choice of Mucoplasty: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The advances in the knowledge of the molecular basis of the inflammatory response in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have led the management of these patients towards personalized and precision medicine. Surgery has been positioned as a suitable alternative in patients who do not achieve control with appropriate medical treatment, but polypoid recurrences remain a constraint. The emergence of new surgical approaches based on patient phenotyping and the poor disease control associated with type 2 inflammatory phenotype makes it necessary to review the role of personalized and precision surgery in managing the disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Surgical approaches based on wide resection of bony sinus structures and the treatment of mucosa lining the sinonasal cavity have been analyzed and compared with other techniques and seem to offer more favorable surgical outcomes and improved quality of life (QoL), in addition to lower relapse rates. The innovations with new complementary surgical techniques, such as reboot surgery adding an extended autologous mucosal graft from the nasal floor (mucoplasty), may benefit endoscopic and QoL outcomes in the most severe CRSwNP patients with type 2 phenotype. Using bilateral endonasal mucoplasty as a complementary technique to reboot surgery is a suitable technical choice that has improved short- and medium-term QoL and endoscopic outcomes for patients with severe CRSwNP. These results are likely due to a combination of the extension of reboot and the inherent inflammatory and healing properties of mucoplasty. We propose this technique as a valuable surgical resource, although more robust clinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term benefits comprehensively.

Effects of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Olfactory Function

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the effects of endoscopic sinus surgery and endonasal approaches to the skull base on olfaction.

RECENT FINDINGS

Advancements in endonasal endoscopic approaches to the sinuses and skull base allow for direct treatment of a variety of sinonasal and skull base diseases. However, these extended approaches will often require manipulation of normal anatomical structures and the olfactory neuroepithelium. Depending on the planned procedure and extent of disease, the prognosis of olfactory perception can vary significantly among patients. Endoscopic sinonasal surgical procedures may impact olfaction. Optimizing olfactory function requires proper surgical techniques, gentle handling of tissue, and perioperative care. Surgeons must discuss objectives and manage patient expectations. Routine olfactory assessment is crucial in surgical work-up and follow-up. Preserving anatomical structures while addressing the obstruction of the olfactory cleft helps to prevent decreased olfactory threshold. However, smell identification and discrimination do not always correlate with sinonasal anatomy.

Periodontitis of maxillary teeth screened by community periodontal index is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis defined by EPOS 2020 guideline

We aimed to evaluate the association between periodontitis in the upper jaw and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) using the nationwide Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. In this cross-sectional study, data of KNHANES participants enrolled between 2008 and 2012 were reviewed. Periodontitis of the upper teeth was diagnosed by dentists according to the community periodontal index with standardized methods. CRS was diagnosed by otorhinolaryngologists according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 with nasal endoscopy findings. We also evaluated the association between periodontitis and CRS according to smoking and drinking status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Overall, 28,761 participants were eligible for analysis, and 210 were diagnosed with CRS. Periodontitis was associated with CRS diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.391, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.013-1.912). Non-drinkers showed no significant association between periodontitis and CRS (OR = 1.142, 95% CI 0.746-1.749). However, among drinkers, periodontitis was significantly associated with CRS (OR = 1.733, 95% CI 1.091-2.753). The number of smokers with CRS was not statistically sufficient and a logistic regression model based on smoking status could not be generated. Individuals with periodontitis in the upper jaw may need to consult an otorhinolaryngologist for comorbid CRS especially according to drinking status.

Surgical management of rhinosinusitis for the allergist-immunologist

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common chronic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the sinus, with or without nasal passage inflammation, occurring for more than 12 weeks at a time. CRS has historically been classified in 2 categories: CRS without nasal polyps or CRS with nasal polyps (25%-30% of cases). The mainstay of treatment for CRS with or without nasal polyps is medical management, and options may include a combination of saline irrigation, nasal steroids, allergy medications, antibiotics, oral steroids, and treatment with targeted monoclonal antibodies. Unfortunately, up to 60% of patents report symptoms refractory to maximal medical therapy. As such, a combined approach of surgery and medical therapy may be offered. Endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS is approached in a stepwise fashion, ranging from the simplest technique, such as polyp removal, to more expanded approaches that open the paranasal sinuses and allow gravity-dependent drainage. This review article provides a review and in-depth explanation of various surgical approaches for CRS, including the indications, techniques, and respective outcomes for each one.

The Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) With Biologics

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps affects a significant portion of the worldwide population. This illness is associated with several chronic conditions and has an important impact on patient quality of life, leading to a great societal economic burden. In recent years, biologic medications have been developed and found to be effective in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. This review focuses on these treatment options and their ability to improve patient outcomes, including quality of life. It also reviews available evidence with regards to patient selection, monitoring of patients after treatment initiation, and comparison of different biologics and with other treatment options such as sinus surgery.

Comparative short-term efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery and biological therapies in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To compare the safety and efficacy between endoscopic sinus surgery and different biologics in treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults by reviewing the existing clinical trials.

METHODS

Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted by 2 independent reviewers according to the PRISMA recommendations and any disagreement was resolved by a third investigator. Outcomes were measured through a random-effects model. We searched Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and other relevant sources from its inception to April 30, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials(RCTs) involving endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) or biologics in treating adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Studies involving other miscellaneous diseases, non-RCT design, and insufficient participants or follow-up were excluded.

RESULTS

In this systematic review, five RCTs and 1748 patients were included. All the biologics, as well as ESS, could significantly improve key nasal outcomes in CRSwNP both at 6 months and 1 year. Dupilumab exhibited better efficacy than ESS in improving SNOT-22 scores at one year. However, ESS showed superiority over three biologics in improving nasal congestion scores (NCS) at two various time points, except for better efficacy of Dupilumab at 1 year. For the loss of smell scores, a greater improvement was observed in the Dupilumab cohort compared with other biologics and even ESS counterparts. Safety analysis showed no significant difference between the ESS cohort and biologic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, ESS showed comparable improvement in quality of life and symptoms to Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, and Benralizumab. Dupilumab seems to be more effective than ESS in selected items, whereas head-to-head trials and real-world studies are urgent to compare their efficacy. Our findings also showed that biologics could be applied as alternative or adjuvant therapy for uncontrolled severe CRSwNP.

Biological Treatment for Uncontrolled Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: Preliminary Real-World Results from a Tertiary Medical Center

The efficacy of biological treatment for severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has recently been demonstrated through double-blinded clinical trials. The aim of this study was to provide preliminary real-world experience regarding biological therapy for uncontrolled CRSwNP. The records of patients who received biological treatment in a tertiary medical center between the years 2019 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients included in this study were eligible for biological treatment according to the EPOS 2020 criteria. Among patients who had their first follow-up visit <6 months from the treatment initiation, the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 Questionnaire (SNOT-22) score had decreased by 22% (p = 0.01) and the nasal polyp score (NPS) had decreased by 48% (p = 0.05). Among patients who had their first follow-up visit ≥6 months from treatment initiation, the SNOT-22 score had decreased by 40% (p = 0.03) and the NPS had decreased by 39% (p = 0.1). The number of patients who needed systemic steroid treatment had decreased by 68% (p < 0.0001), and the number of patients who needed endoscopic sinus surgery had decreased by 74% (p < 0.0001). These findings correspond with the improvement of clinical symptoms observed in prior randomized clinical trials, thus showing the effectiveness of biologic medications in the treatment of severe CRSwNP in a real-life setting. Although further cohort studies are warranted, our study also suggests evaluating patients at follow-up visits mainly by quality-of-life aspects and investigating longer dosing intervals of dupilumab.

Treatment Strategy of Uncontrolled Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Review of Recent Evidence

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is recognized as a heterogeneous disease with a wide range of clinical features, resulting in significant morbidity and cost to the healthcare system. While the phenotypic classification is determined by the presence or absence of nasal polyps and comorbidities, the endotype classification has been established based on molecular biomarkers or specific mechanisms. Research on CRS has now developed based on information based on three major endotypes: types 1, 2, and 3. Recently, biological therapies targeting type 2 inflammation have been clinically expanded and may be applied to other inflammatory endotypes in the future. The purpose of this review is to discuss the treatment options according to the type of CRS and summarize recent studies on new therapeutic approaches for patients with uncontrolled CRS with nasal polyps.

Economics of Medical and Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Contemporary Review

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with significant patient morbidity and associated healthcare costs. While the economic burden of CRS overall has been previously described, the economic impact of CRSwNP has received less attention. Patients with CRSwNP have higher disease burden and healthcare resource utilization than those with CRS without nasal polyposis. Rapid evolution of medical management in recent years with the use of targeted biologics warrants further investigation into the economic burden of CRSwNP.

OBJECTIVE

Provide an updated review of the literature on the economic impact of CRSwNP.

METHODS

A literature review.

RESULTS

Research shows that patients with CRSwNP have higher direct costs and usage of ambulatory services compared to matched non-CRS controls. Patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) incur roughly $13,000 in costs which is particularly relevant given the rate of disease recidivism and need for revision surgery associated with CRSwNP. Disease burden additionally leads to indirect costs through loss of wages and productivity due to work absenteeism and presenteeism, with estimates of up to roughly $10,000 lost in mean annual productivity cost in refractory CRSwNP. Several studies have shown FESS to be more cost-effective in intermediate and long-term management than medical therapy with biologics, despite similar long-term outcomes with respect to quality-of-life metrics.

CONCLUSION

CRSwNP is a chronic condition with high recurrence rates making it a challenge to manage over time. Current research suggests that FESS is more cost-effective than medical management, including use of newer biologics. Further investigation into both direct and indirect costs associated with medical management is warranted to perform accurate cost-effectiveness analyses and allow for the best allocation of limited healthcare resources.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps management in the biologic therapy era: an international YO-IFOS survey

PURPOSE

To investigate the consistency between the international guidelines recommendations and worldwide standard practices regarding diagnostic work-up and follow-up strategies for managing patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) in the era of monoclonal antibodies.

METHODS

A questionnaire developed by the Rhinology section of the Young Otolaryngologists of the International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (Yo-IFOS) included items regarding the management of CRSwNP patients, monoclonal prescription, surgical and follow-up procedures, awareness of biologicals availability, and other relevant clinical practices. The online survey was directed to otolaryngologists and distributed in Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East through otolaryngological and/or rhinological societies.

RESULTS

A total of 202 responses were analyzed; the mean participants' age was 45 ± 11 (73% men and 27% women), and 31% were from the United States, Canada 19%, Europe 45%, Middle East and South America 5%. Only 60% of the respondents declared using validated symptoms and endoscopic score systems in their clinical practice. Several practice discrepancies emerged in our cohort, including preferred surgical approach, prescription of preoperative oral steroids, and perioperative antibiotics (59% and 58%, respectively), as well as divergent awareness levels of available biologics for CRSwNP worldwide.

CONCLUSIONS

CRSwNP needs a complex and time-consuming assessment, according to the latest guidelines. There seems to be a gap between these recommendations and the real-world data, which should draw more attention to bringing them into uniform clinical practice in the near future.