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Canonica GW, Spanevello A, de Llano LP, Ribas CD, Blakey JD, Garcia G, Inoue H, Dalcolmo M, Yang D, Mokashi S, Kurne A, Butta AK. Is asthma control more than just an absence of symptoms? An expert consensus statement. Respir Med 2022; 202:106942. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Pashley CH, Wardlaw AJ. Allergic fungal airways disease (AFAD): an under-recognised asthma endotype. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:609-622. [PMID: 34043134 PMCID: PMC8536613 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00562-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The term allergic fungal airways disease has a liberal definition based on IgE sensitisation to thermotolerant fungi and evidence of fungal-related lung damage. It arose from a body of work looking into the role of fungi in asthma. Historically fungi were considered a rare complication of asthma, exemplified by allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; however, there is a significant proportion of individuals with Aspergillus fumigatus sensitisation who do not meet these criteria, who are at high risk for the development of lung damage. The fungi that play a role in asthma can be divided into two groups; those that can grow at body temperature referred to as thermotolerant, which are capable of both infection and allergy, and those that cannot but can still act as allergens in IgE sensitised individuals. Sensitisation to thermotolerant filamentous fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium), and not non-thermotolerant fungi (Alternaria and Cladosporium) is associated with lower lung function and radiological abnormalities (bronchiectasis, tree-in-bud, fleeting shadows, collapse/consolidation and fibrosis). For antifungals to play a role in treatment, the focus should be on fungi capable of growing in the airways thereby causing a persistent chronic allergenic stimulus and releasing tissue damaging proteases and other enzymes which may disrupt the airway epithelial barrier and cause mucosal damage and airway remodelling. All patients with IgE sensitisation to thermotolerant fungi in the context of asthma and other airway disease are at risk of progressive lung damage, and as such should be monitored closely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Pashley
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.
| | - Andrew J Wardlaw
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, Institute for Lung Health, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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Wardlaw AJ, Rick EM, Pur Ozyigit L, Scadding A, Gaillard EA, Pashley CH. New Perspectives in the Diagnosis and Management of Allergic Fungal Airway Disease. J Asthma Allergy 2021; 14:557-573. [PMID: 34079294 PMCID: PMC8164695 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s251709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergy to airway-colonising, thermotolerant, filamentous fungi represents a distinct eosinophilic endotype of often severe lung disease. This endotype, which particularly affects adult asthma, but also complicates other airway diseases and sometimes occurs de novo, has a heterogeneous presentation ranging from severe eosinophilic asthma to lobar collapse. Its hallmark is lung damage, characterised by fixed airflow obstruction (FAO), bronchiectasis and lung fibrosis. It has a number of monikers including severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis/mycosis (ABPA/M), but these exclusive terms constitute only sub-sets of the condition. In order to capture the full extent of the syndrome we prefer the inclusive term allergic fungal airway disease (AFAD), the criteria for which are IgE sensitisation to relevant fungi in association with airway disease. The primary fungus involved is Aspergillus fumigatus, but a number of other thermotolerant species from several genera have been implicated. The unifying mechanism involves germination of inhaled fungal spores in the lung in the context of IgE sensitisation, leading to a persistent and vigorous eosinophilic inflammatory response in association with release of fungal proteases. Most allergenic fungi, including Alternaria and Cladosporium species, are not thermotolerant and cannot germinate in the airways so only act as aeroallergens and do not cause AFAD. Studies of the airway mycobiome have shown that A. fumigatus colonises the normal as much as the asthmatic airway, suggesting it is the tendency to become IgE-sensitised that is the critical triggering factor for AFAD rather than colonisation per se. Treatment is aimed at preventing exacerbations with glucocorticoids and increasingly by the use of anti-T2 biological therapies. Anti-fungal therapy has a limited place in management, but is an effective treatment for fungal bronchitis which complicates AFAD in about 10% of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Wardlaw
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Eva-Maria Rick
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Leyla Pur Ozyigit
- Allergy and Respiratory Services University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Alys Scadding
- Allergy and Respiratory Services University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Erol A Gaillard
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Department of Paediatrics, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Catherine H Pashley
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Respiratory Sciences, College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, and Allergy and Respiratory Medicine Service, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Respiratory, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
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Engelkes M, Baan EJ, de Ridder MAJ, Svensson E, Prieto-Alhambra D, Lapi F, Giaquinto C, Picelli G, Boudiaf N, Albers F, Evitt LA, Cockle S, Bradford E, Van Dyke MK, Suruki R, Rijnbeek P, Sturkenboom MCJM, Janssens HM, Verhamme KMC. Incidence, risk factors and re-exacerbation rate of severe asthma exacerbations in a multinational, multidatabase pediatric cohort study. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2020; 31:496-505. [PMID: 32115766 PMCID: PMC7496431 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are sparse real-world data on severe asthma exacerbations (SAE) in children. This multinational cohort study assessed the incidence of and risk factors for SAE and the incidence of asthma-related rehospitalization in children with asthma. METHODS Asthma patients 5-17 years old with ≥1 year of follow-up were identified in six European electronic databases from the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, Denmark and Spain in 2008-2013. Asthma was defined as ≥1 asthma-specific disease code within 3 months of prescriptions/dispensing of asthma medication. Severe asthma was defined as high-dosed inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller. SAE was defined by systemic corticosteroids, emergency department visit and/or hospitalization all for reason of asthma. Risk factors for SAE were estimated by Poisson regression analyses. RESULTS The cohort consisted of 212 060 paediatric asthma patients contributing to 678 625 patient-years (PY). SAE rates ranged between 17 and 198/1000 PY and were higher in severe asthma and highest in severe asthma patients with a history of exacerbations. Prior SAE (incidence rate ratio 3-45) and younger age increased the SAE risk in all countries, whereas obesity, atopy and GERD were a risk factor in some but not all countries. Rehospitalization rates were up to 79% within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS In a real-world setting, SAE rates were highest in children with severe asthma with a history of exacerbations. Many severe asthma patients were rehospitalized within 1 year. Asthma management focusing on prevention of SAE is important to reduce the burden of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esme J Baan
- Medical Informatics, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Daniel Prieto-Alhambra
- Jordi Gol Primary Care Research Institute, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Statistics in Medicine, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | - Nada Boudiaf
- Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Middlesex, UK
| | - Frank Albers
- Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Lee A Evitt
- Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK
| | - Sarah Cockle
- Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK
| | - Eric Bradford
- Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK
| | | | | | - Peter Rijnbeek
- Medical Informatics, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hettie M Janssens
- Pediatrics div Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, ErasmusMC- /Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Katia M C Verhamme
- Medical Informatics, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Infection Control & Epidemiology, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
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Evasovic JM, Singer CA. Regulation of IL-17A and implications for TGF-β1 comodulation of airway smooth muscle remodeling in severe asthma. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 316:L843-L868. [PMID: 30810068 PMCID: PMC6589583 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00416.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma develops as a result of heightened, persistent symptoms that generally coincide with pronounced neutrophilic airway inflammation. In individuals with severe asthma, symptoms are poorly controlled by high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids and often lead to elevated morbidity and mortality rates that underscore the necessity for novel drug target identification that overcomes limitations in disease management. Many incidences of severe asthma are mechanistically associated with T helper 17 (TH17) cell-derived cytokines and immune factors that mediate neutrophilic influx to the airways. TH17-secreted interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is an independent risk factor for severe asthma that impacts airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling. TH17-derived cytokines and diverse immune mediators further interact with structural cells of the airway to induce pathophysiological processes that impact ASM functionality. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a pivotal mediator involved in airway remodeling that correlates with enhanced TH17 activity in individuals with severe asthma and is essential to TH17 differentiation and IL-17A production. IL-17A can also reciprocally enhance activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathways, whereas combined TH1/TH17 or TH2/TH17 immune responses may additively impact asthma severity. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of cytokine-driven T cell fate determination and TH17-mediated airway inflammation. It will further review the evidence demonstrating the extent to which IL-17A interacts with various immune factors, specifically TGF-β1, to contribute to ASM remodeling and altered function in TH17-driven endotypes of severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon M Evasovic
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada , Reno, Nevada
| | - Cherie A Singer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Nevada , Reno, Nevada
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Sousa AR, Marshall RP, Warnock LC, Bolton S, Hastie A, Symon F, Hargadon B, Marshall H, Richardson M, Brightling CE, Haldar P, Milone R, Chalk P, Williamson R, Panettieri R, Knowles R, Bleecker ER, Wardlaw AJ. Responsiveness to oral prednisolone in severe asthma is related to the degree of eosinophilic airway inflammation. Clin Exp Allergy 2017; 47:890-899. [PMID: 28493293 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with severe asthma appear relatively corticosteroid resistant. Corticosteroid responsiveness is closely related to the degree of eosinophilic airway inflammation. The extent to which eosinophilic airway inflammation in severe asthma responds to treatment with systemic corticosteroids is not clear. OBJECTIVE To relate the physiological and inflammatory response to systemic corticosteroids in asthma to disease severity and the baseline extent of eosinophilic inflammation. METHODS Patients with mild/moderate and severe asthma were investigated before and after 2 weeks of oral prednisolone (Clintrials.gov NCT00331058 and NCT00327197). We pooled the results from two studies with common protocols. The US study contained two independent centres and the UK one independent centre. The effect of oral corticosteroids on FEV1 , Pc20, airway inflammation and serum cytokines was investigated. Baseline measurements were compared with healthy subjects. RESULTS Thirty-two mild/moderate asthmatics, 50 severe asthmatics and 35 healthy subjects took part. At baseline, both groups of asthmatics had a lower FEV1 and Pc20 and increased eosinophilic inflammation compared to healthy subjects. The severe group had a lower FEV1 and more eosinophilic inflammation compared to mild/moderate asthmatics. Oral prednisolone caused a similar degree of suppression of eosinophilic inflammation in all compartments in both groups of asthmatics. There were small improvements in FEV1 and Pc20 for both mild/ moderate and severe asthmatics with a correlation between the baseline eosinophilic inflammation and the change in FEV1 . There was a ~50% reduction in the serum concentration of CXCL10 (IP-10), CCL22 (MDC), CCL17 (TARC), CCL-2 (MCP-1) and CCL-13 (MCP-4) in both asthma groups after oral corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Disease severity does not influence the response to systemic corticosteroids. The study does not therefore support the concept that severe asthma is associated with corticosteroid resistance. Only baseline eosinophilic inflammation was associated with the physiological response to corticosteroids, confirming the importance of measuring eosinophilic inflammation to guide corticosteroid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Sousa
- GlaxoSmithKline Stevenage, Stevenage, UK
| | | | | | - S Bolton
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - A Hastie
- Center for Genomics & Personalized Medicine, Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - F Symon
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - B Hargadon
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - H Marshall
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - M Richardson
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - C E Brightling
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - P Haldar
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - R Milone
- GlaxoSmithKline Stevenage, Stevenage, UK
| | - P Chalk
- Knowles Consulting, Stevenage, UK
| | | | - R Panettieri
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - E R Bleecker
- Center for Genomics & Personalized Medicine, Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - A J Wardlaw
- Institute for Lung Health, Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Respiratory Biomedical Research Unit University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
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Calciano L, Corsico AG, Pirina P, Trucco G, Jarvis D, Janson C, Accordini S. Assessment of asthma severity in adults with ever asthma: A continuous score. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177538. [PMID: 28542217 PMCID: PMC5436664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In epidemiological studies, continuous measures of asthma severity should be used to catch the heterogeneity of phenotypes. This study aimed at developing and validating continuous measures of asthma severity in adult patients with ever asthma from the general population, to be used in epidemiological studies. METHODS Respiratory symptoms, anti-asthmatic treatment and lung function were measured on 520 patients with ever asthma aged 20-64 years from the general Italian population (GEIRD study; 2007/2010). The variables that represent the same dimension of asthma severity were identified through an exploratory factor analysis and were summarized through a multiple factor analysis. RESULTS Only respiratory symptoms and anti-asthmatic treatment were summarized in a continuous score (STS). STS ranges from 0 (no symptoms/treatment) to 10 (maximum symptom frequency and treatment intensity). STS was positively correlated with the Global Initiative for Asthma classification of asthma severity computed on the 137 cases with a doctor's diagnosis (Spearman's coefficient = 0.61, p-value<0.0001) (concurrent validity). Furthermore, using a cohort of 1,097 European asthmatics (ECRHS II study; 1999/2002), increasing STS levels at baseline (1991/1993) were positively associated with long-term outcomes (hospitalization and lost workdays for breathing problems, asthma attack frequency and use of asthma controllers) (predictive validity). Finally, the STS scores computed from the GEIRD and ECRHS II data were comparable (Lin's coefficient = 0.95, p-value<0.0001) (replication analysis). CONCLUSIONS STS is a valid and replicable measure of asthma severity in adults, which could be used in association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Calciano
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Angelo Guido Corsico
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, IRCCS “San Matteo” Hospital Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pietro Pirina
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giulia Trucco
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Deborah Jarvis
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Simone Accordini
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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8
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Engelkes M, Janssens HM, de Ridder MAJ, Sturkenboom MCJM, de Jongste JC, Verhamme KMC. Real life data on incidence and risk factors of severe asthma exacerbations in children in primary care. Respir Med 2016; 119:48-54. [PMID: 27692147 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Real-life data on the incidence rates (IR) and risk factors of severe asthma exacerbations in children are sparse. We aimed to assess IR and risk factors of severe asthma exacerbations in children in real life. We conducted a population-based cohort study using a Dutch GP database containing complete medical records of >1 million patients. All records of children with physician-diagnosed asthma aged 5-18 years between 2000 and 2012 were examined for exacerbations, defined as either hospitalization, emergency department visit or need of systemic steroids for asthma. IR was expressed as number of exacerbations per person year (PY). We identified 14,303 asthmatic children with 35,118 PY of follow-up and 732 exacerbations. The overall IR was 2.1/100PY (95% CI 1.9-2.2), 4.1/100PY (3.8-4.4) for children on asthma treatment. Re-exacerbation occurred in 2% (1.3-4.3) of patients within 1 month, in 25% (20.6-28.8) within 1 year. Predictors for (frequent) exacerbations were age, medication use and prior exacerbations (all p < 0.001). The overall IR of severe asthma exacerbations was 4/100PY in children on asthma treatment, highest in spring and fall. 25% of the patients with an exacerbation will experience a next exacerbation within 1 year. More severe asthma is a predictor of subsequent and future exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Engelkes
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H M Janssens
- Department of Paediatrics, Division Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M A J de Ridder
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - J C de Jongste
- Department of Paediatrics, Division Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus MC/Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - K M C Verhamme
- Department of Medical Informatics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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9
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Blakey JD, Zaidi S, Shaw DE. Defining and managing risk in asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2015; 44:1023-32. [PMID: 24773229 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Asthma attacks are a major global source of morbidity and cost. The incidence and impact of asthma attacks have not improved despite widespread adoption of effective universal treatment guidelines. Consequently, there is increasing interest in managing asthma based on specific assessments of both current symptoms and future risk. In this review, we consider 'risk' in asthma, and how it might be assessed from the patient's history and objective measurements. We also discuss the potential for encouraging shared decision-making and improving medical consensus through explicit communication of risk and highlight the potential opportunities and challenges in risk assessment to improve asthma management through individualised treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Blakey
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Valverde-Molina J. Identifying severe asthma in pediatrics: the glass half full or half empty. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2014; 42:507-9. [PMID: 25454925 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2014.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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11
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Persson C. Primary lysis of eosinophils in severe desquamative asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2014; 44:173-83. [PMID: 24330324 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Primary lysis of eosinophils liberates free eosinophil granules (FEGs) releasing toxic proteins in association with bronchial epithelial injury repair. Eosinophil lysis may be significantly pathogenic. Bronchial mucosal FEGs are associated with uncontrolled asthma, severe asthma, aspirin-sensitive asthma, and lethal asthma. FEGs in the bronchial wall may characterize severe asthma without sputum eosinophilia. Excessive numbers of sputum FEGs occur in severe exacerbations of asthma and are reduced along with clinical improvement. Occurrence of FEGs affects interpretation of other sputum biomarkers including numbers of eosinophils, ECP, and eosinophil-stained macrophages. Thus, eosinophil lysis produces FEGs as bronchial biomarkers of severe asthma. Blood eosinophils in severe asthma seem primed exhibiting a propensity to lyse that is greater the more severe the asthma. Proclivity of blood eosinophils to lyse also distinguished three levels of severity among children with exacerbations of asthma. Numerous FEGs releasing toxic proteins occur in association with grave derangement and shedding of epithelium in severe asthma. Subepithelial FEGs correlate negatively with intact bronchial epithelium in clinically uncontrolled asthma. Significant correlations between sputum ECP, Creola bodies, and severity of asthma exacerbations have also been demonstrated. Hence, eosinophil lysis apparently causes epithelial desquamation in severe asthma. Exaggerated epithelial repair in turn would contribute to inflammatory and remodelling features of severe asthma. Perseverance of FEGs together with maintained disease activity, despite treatment with 'eosinophil-depleting' steroids and anti-IL5 biologicals, agrees with the possibility that eosinophil lysis is worthy target for novel anti-asthma drugs. Priming and lysis of eosinophils, and protein release from FEGs, are regulated and can be targeted. Eosinophil lysis and FEGs belong to the disease picture of severe asthma and need consideration in asthma studies concerned with phenotypes, biomarkers, roles of epithelial injury/repair, and targeting novel drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Persson
- Laboratory Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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12
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Statistical cluster analysis of the British Thoracic Society Severe refractory Asthma Registry: clinical outcomes and phenotype stability. PLoS One 2014; 9:e102987. [PMID: 25058007 PMCID: PMC4109965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe refractory asthma is a heterogeneous disease. We sought to determine statistical clusters from the British Thoracic Society Severe refractory Asthma Registry and to examine cluster-specific outcomes and stability. Methods Factor analysis and statistical cluster modelling was undertaken to determine the number of clusters and their membership (N = 349). Cluster-specific outcomes were assessed after a median follow-up of 3 years. A classifier was programmed to determine cluster stability and was validated in an independent cohort of new patients recruited to the registry (n = 245). Findings Five clusters were identified. Cluster 1 (34%) were atopic with early onset disease, cluster 2 (21%) were obese with late onset disease, cluster 3 (15%) had the least severe disease, cluster 4 (15%) were the eosinophilic with late onset disease and cluster 5 (15%) had significant fixed airflow obstruction. At follow-up, the proportion of subjects treated with oral corticosteroids increased in all groups with an increase in body mass index. Exacerbation frequency decreased significantly in clusters 1, 2 and 4 and was associated with a significant fall in the peripheral blood eosinophil count in clusters 2 and 4. Stability of cluster membership at follow-up was 52% for the whole group with stability being best in cluster 2 (71%) and worst in cluster 4 (25%). In an independent validation cohort, the classifier identified the same 5 clusters with similar patient distribution and characteristics. Interpretation Statistical cluster analysis can identify distinct phenotypes with specific outcomes. Cluster membership can be determined using a classifier, but when treatment is optimised, cluster stability is poor.
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Mari A, Antonietta Ciardiello M, Passalacqua G, Vliagoftis H, Wardlaw AJ, Wickman M. Developments in the field of allergy in 2012 through the eyes of Clinical & Experimental Allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2014; 43:1309-32. [PMID: 24118214 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In 2012, we received 683 submissions and published 20 editorials, 38 reviews, 11 letters and 128 original articles. This represents an acceptance rate for original papers in the range of 20%. About 30% of original papers were triaged not to go out to review, either because the editors did not feel they had sufficient priority for publication or because the topic did not feel right for the readers of the journal. We place great emphasis on obtaining sufficient high-quality reviews to make our decisions on publication fair and consistent. Inevitably, however, there is a degree of luck about what gets published and which papers miss out, and we are always happy to receive an appeal on our decisions either at the triage stage or after review. This gives us the opportunity to revisit the decision and revise it or explain in more detail to the authors the basis for the decision. Once again in 2012, we were delighted by the quality of the papers submitted and the breadth and depth of research into allergic disease that it revealed. The pattern of papers submitted was similar in previous years with considerable emphasis on all aspects of asthma and rhinitis. We were particularly pleased with our special issue on severe asthma. Elucidating mechanisms using either animal models or patients has always been a major theme of the journal, and the excellent work in these areas has been summarized by Harissios Vliagoftis with a particularly interesting section on early-life events guiding the development of allergic disease, which understandably continue to be a major theme of research. Magnus Wickman summarized the papers looking at the epidemiology of allergic disease including work from birth cohorts, which are an increasingly rich source of data on risk factors for allergic disease, and two papers on the epidemiology of anaphylaxis. Giovanni Passalacqua discussed the papers in the clinical allergy section of the journal, and Adriano Mari who runs the excellent Allergome website discussed the papers looking at allergens including characterization and the relative usefulness of allergen arrays versus single extracts in diagnosis and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mari
- Allergome, Allergy Data Laboratories s.c., Latina, Italy
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Noninvasive Biomarkers That Predict Treatment Benefit from Biologic Therapies in Asthma. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2013; 10 Suppl:S206-13. [DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201303-047aw] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Blakey JD, Woolnough K, Fellows J, Walker S, Thomas M, Pavord ID. Assessing the risk of attack in the management of asthma: a review and proposal for revision of the current control-centred paradigm. PRIMARY CARE RESPIRATORY JOURNAL : JOURNAL OF THE GENERAL PRACTICE AIRWAYS GROUP 2013; 22:344-52. [PMID: 23817678 PMCID: PMC6442819 DOI: 10.4104/pcrj.2013.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Asthma guidelines focus on day-to-day control of symptoms. However, asthma attacks remain common. They continue to cause mortality and considerable morbidity, and are a major financial burden to the UK National Health Service (NHS) and the wider community. Asthma attacks have chronic consequences, being associated with loss of lung function and significant psychological morbidity. In this article we argue that addressing daily symptom control is only one aspect of asthma treatment, and that there should be a more explicit focus on reducing the risk of asthma attacks. Management of future risk by general practitioners is already central to other conditions such as ischaemic heart disease and chronic renal impairment. We therefore propose a revised approach that separately considers the related domains of daily control and future risk of asthma attack. We believe this approach will have advantages over the current 'stepwise' approach to asthma management. It should encourage individualised treatment, including non-pharmacological measures, and thus may lead to more efficacious and less harmful management strategies. We speculate that this type of approach has the potential to reduce morbidity and healthcare costs related to asthma attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Blakey
- Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kerry Woolnough
- Severe and Brittle Asthma Unit, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jodie Fellows
- Severe and Brittle Asthma Unit, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK
- Clinical Health Psychology, Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Mike Thomas
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Ian D Pavord
- Institute for Lung Health, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK
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Arron JR, Scheerens H, Matthews JG. Redefining approaches to asthma: developing targeted biologic therapies. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2013; 66:1-49. [PMID: 23433454 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-404717-4.00001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder canonically associated with type 2 airway inflammation as characterized by elevated levels of eosinophils, immunoglobulin E, and cytokines including interleukin (IL) 4, IL5, IL9, and IL13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α. However, mounting evidence has shown that considerable heterogeneity exists in human asthma in terms of the nature and intensity of airway inflammation. While many asthma patients achieve acceptable control of symptoms with standard-of-care therapies such as β₂-adrenergic agonists and inhaled corticosteroids, a minority remains symptomatic despite maximal standard-of-care therapy and constitutes a significant unmet medical need. A growing number of investigational therapeutics under clinical development for asthma are biologic therapies that specifically target mediators of type 2 airway inflammation. In this chapter, we consider the biological functions of therapeutic targets in asthma and data from clinical trials of biologic agents directed against these targets. We discuss recent clinical trial results in terms of four key components of drug development: target selection, molecule selection, outcome selection, and patient selection, with particular attention paid to the emerging role of biomarkers in clinical development for asthma.
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