Reducing oral corticosteroids in severe asthma (ROSA Project): a nationwide Portuguese consensus

Achieving clinical outcomes with benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma patients in a real-world setting: orbe II study

BACKGROUND

The ORBE II study aimed to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) treated with benralizumab in a real-world setting in Spain.

METHODS

ORBE II (NCT04648839) was an observational, retrospective cohort study in adult SEA patients who had been prescribed benralizumab. Demographic and clinical data of 204 SEA patients were collected 12 months prior to benralizumab initiation (baseline) and at follow-up. Exacerbation rate, asthma symptoms, maintenance oral corticosteroid (OCS) use and lung function were evaluated, among other variables.

RESULTS

A total of 204 SEA patients were evaluated. Mean (standard deviation, SD) age of the study population was 56.4 (12.4) years, 62.3% were women and mean (SD) duration of asthma was 15.1 (12.7) years. Median (Q1-Q3) follow-up duration was 19.5 (14.2-24.2) months. At baseline, 72.6% of the overall population (OP) presented blood eosinophil counts ≥ 300 cells/µL; 36.8% had comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP); 84.8% reported at least one severe exacerbation, and 29.1% were OCS-dependent. At 1 year of follow-up, patients receiving benralizumab treatment had a 85.6% mean reduction in exacerbations from baseline, and 81.4% of patients achieved zero exacerbations. We also found a clinically relevant mean (SD) increase in pre-bronchodilator (BD) FEV1 of 331 (413) mL, with 66.7% of patients achieving a pre-BD FEV1 increase ≥ 100 mL, and 46.3% of patients achieving a pre-BD FEV1 ≥ 80% of predicted. Regarding symptom control, 73.8% of the OP obtained an ACT score ≥ 20 points. After 1 year of follow-up, mean reduction in the daily OCS dose was 70.5%, and complete OCS withdrawal was achieved by 52.8% of the OCS-dependent patients. Almost half (43.7%) of the OP on benralizumab met all four criteria for clinical remission. Patients with concomitant CRSwNP obtained similar or enhanced outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support the real-world benefits of benralizumab in SEA patients, and particularly in those with concomitant CRSwNP.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04648839.

Oral Corticosteroids for Patients with Eosinophilic Diseases: An Expert Panel View on Use, Overuse, and Strategies to Reduce Use

Severe asthma (SA), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) are three conditions driven by IL-5 and eosinophilic inflammation. As these conditions have high use of healthcare services, as well as lifestyle and psychological burdens, safe treatment to achieve optimal control is key. In all three conditions, as for many other eosinophilic diseases (ED), oral corticosteroids (OCS) are often used for both acute and maintenance treatment where disease activity is high. While, in general, OCS are very effective, their use is limited by a well-recognised high potential for adverse effects (AE). Moreover, cumulative exposure to OCS may not be acknowledged in many patients, especially for those predominantly treated in primary care, exposing patients to potentially damaging long-term OCS-related AEs. To discuss the use of OCS for these eosinophilic diseases, as well as to provide guidance on how to help limit their use, a board of European experts within each field was gathered. The experts completed questionnaires regarding treatment and referral pathways for patients with SA, CRSwNP, or EGPA; then, in an online meeting, discussed a number of issues in regard to OCS use. Here, the authors present the key recommendations from the expert advisory panel alongside some background to these conditions regarding treatment with OCS.

Uso de glucocorticoides sistémicos para el tratamiento del asma grave: Consenso multidisciplinar español

Background and aim

Since their effectiveness was initially demonstrated, oral corticosteroids (OCS) have been routinely used to treat asthma. We now know that their usage is linked to the development of side effects such osteoporosis and adrenal insufficiency. This is an observational study based on Delphi methodology. The questionnaire was divided into 4 sections: OCS generalities, maintenance treatment, short-term treatment, and adverse events.

Materials and methods

Two rounds of a 68-item questionnaire were completed by a panel of 48 allergists and pneumologists.

Results

Definitions were agreed upon, as was the proper use of OCS in the treatment of severe asthma. The experts agreed that the use of OCS should be minimized as much as possible and that in the event of maintenance treatments, a slow and progressive tapering strategy should be used. They also emphasized the importance of standardizing the technique for measuring the amount of SCG delivered in both cases.

Conclusions

This consensus document attempts to bring together scientifically supported suggestions from specialists in the management of asthma to reduce the use of OCS in Spain.

Documento de consenso de asma grave en adultos. Actualización 2022

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous syndrome with several clinical variants and often represents a complex disease requiring a specialized and multidisciplinary approach, as well as the use of multiple drugs. The prevalence of severe asthma varies from one country to another, and it is estimated that 50% of these patients present a poor control of their disease. For the best management of the patient, it is necessary a correct diagnosis, an adequate follow-up and undoubtedly to offer the best available treatment, including biologic treatments with monoclonal antibodies. With this objective, this consensus process was born, which began in its first version in 2018, whose goal is to offer the patient the best possible management of their disease in order to minimize their symptomatology. For this 2020 consensus update, a literature review was conducted by the authors. Subsequently, through a two-round interactive Delphi process, a broad panel of asthma experts from SEPAR and the regional pulmonology societies proposed the recommendations and conclusions contained in this document.

Clinical Characteristics and Disease Burden of Severe Asthma According to Oral Corticosteroid Dependence: Real-World Assessment From the Korean Severe Asthma Registry (KoSAR)

Purpose

Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are commonly used in patients with severe asthma, but they are associated with several adverse events. We estimated the prevalence of patients with OCS-dependent asthma in a large nationwide registry for severe asthma and delineated their clinical characteristics.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed enrollment data of the patients recruited in the Korean Severe Asthma Registry (KoSAR) from 2010 to 2019. The clinical characteristics of patients were compared according to OCS dependency, which was defined as maintenance OCS treatment lasting at least 6 months during the 12 months prior to enrollment.

Results

Among the 562 patients with severe asthma, 121 (21.5%) patients were defined as having OCS-dependent asthma. Compared with the OCS-independent group, the OCS-dependent group was older at symptom onset and had a higher prevalence of anxiety, worse lung function, and used more medication than the control group. Despite the higher doses of daily ICS and 6-month cumulative OCS, the OCS-dependent group reported greater consumption of relievers and a higher prevalence of unscheduled emergency room visits and repeated OCS bursts. Although anti-interleukin-5 was more commonly prescribed for patients with OCS-dependent asthma, only a limited proportion of patients with severe asthma received biologics.

Conclusions

One-fifth of patients with severe asthma had OCS-dependency, which was associated with a greater disease burden compared to those with OCS-independent asthma. Active intervention including initiation of biologics and regular assessment of OCS-induced morbidities is warranted to reduce the use of OCS and its potential adverse effects.

Identification of biomarkers and pathogenesis in severe asthma by coexpression network analysis

BACKGROUND

Severe asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory disease. The increase in precise immunotherapy for severe asthmatics requires a greater understanding of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers. In this study, we aimed to identify the underlying mechanisms and hub genes that determine asthma severity.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on bronchial epithelial brushings from mild and severe asthmatics. Then, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify gene networks and the module most significantly associated with asthma severity. Furthermore, hub gene screening and functional enrichment analysis were performed. Replication with another dataset was conducted to validate the hub genes.

RESULTS

DEGs from 14 mild and 11 severe asthmatics were subjected to WGCNA. Six modules associated with asthma severity were identified. Three modules were positively correlated (P < 0.001) with asthma severity and contained genes that were upregulated in severe asthmatics. Functional enrichment analysis showed that genes in the most significant module were mainly enriched in neutrophil activation and degranulation, and cytokine receptor interaction. Hub genes included CXCR1, CXCR2, CCR1, CCR7, TLR2, FPR1, FCGR3B, FCGR2A, ITGAM, and PLEK; CXCR1, CXCR2, and TLR2 were significantly related to asthma severity in the validation dataset. The combination of ten hub genes exhibited a moderate ability to distinguish between severe and mild-moderate asthmatics.

CONCLUSION

Our results identified biomarkers and characterized potential pathogenesis of severe asthma, providing insight into treatment targets and prognostic markers.