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Venegas Garrido C, Mukherjee M, Svenningsen S, Nair P. Eosinophil-mucus interplay in severe asthma: Implications for treatment with biologicals. Allergol Int 2024; 73:351-361. [PMID: 38485545 DOI: 10.1016/j.alit.2024.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Airway mucus is a hydrogel with unique biophysical properties due to its primary water composition and a small proportion of large anionic glycoproteins or mucins. The predominant mucins in human mucus, MUC5AC and MUC5B, are secreted by specialized cells within the airway epithelium both in normal conditions and in response to various stimuli. Their relative proportions are correlated with specific inflammatory responses and disease mechanisms. The dysregulation of mucin expression is implicated in numerous respiratory diseases, including asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis, where the pathogenic role of mucus has been extensively described yet often overlooked. In airway diseases, excessive mucus production or impaired mucus clearance leads to mucus plugging, with secondary airway occlusion that contribute to airflow obstruction, asthma severity and poor control. Eosinophils and Charcot Leyden crystals in sputum contribute to the mucus burden and tenacity. Mucin may also contribute to eosinophil survival. Other mechanisms, including eosinophil-independent IL-13 release, mast-cell activation and non-type-2 (T2) cytokines, are also likely to participate in mucus pathobiology. An accurate assessment of mucus and its clinical and functional consequences require a thorough approach that includes evaluation of cellular predominance in sputum, airway cytokines and other inflammatory markers, mucus characteristics and composition and structural and functional impact measured by advanced lung imaging. This review, illustrated with clinical scenarios, provides an overview of current methods to assess mucus and its relevance to the choice of biologics to treat patients with severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Venegas Garrido
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare & McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manali Mukherjee
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare & McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sarah Svenningsen
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare & McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Parameswaran Nair
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare & McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Akenroye A, Nopsopon T, Hacker JJ, Laidlaw TM. Ratio of plasma IL-13/TNF- ∝ and CXCL10/CCL17 predicts mepolizumab and omalizumab response in asthma better than eosinophil count or immunoglobulin E level. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10404. [PMID: 38710930 PMCID: PMC11074109 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60864-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, most studies to identify biomarkers associated with response to the anti-interleukin 5 agent, mepolizumab, and to the anti-immunoglobulin E agent, omalizumab have focused on clinically available biomarkers, such as the peripheral blood eosinophil counts (BEC) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE). However, these biomarkers often have low predictive accuracy, with many patients with eosinophilic or allergic asthma failing to demonstrate clinical response to mepolizumab or omalizumab respectively. In this study, we evaluated the association of baseline pre-biologic plasma levels of 26 cytokines and chemokines, including T-helper 1 (Th1)-, Th2-, Th17-related cytokines, and their ratios with subsequent clinical response to mepolizumab or omalizumab. We defined clinical response as a reduction in the baseline annual exacerbation rate by half or more over the one-year period following initiation of the biologic. Baseline levels of plasma IL-13 were differentially elevated in responders versus non-responders to mepolizumab and plasma CXCL10 levels were differentially elevated in responders to omalizumab. The ratio of IL-13/TNF-α had the best sensitivity and specificity in predicting response to mepolizumab and CXCL10/CCL17 to omalizumab, and these performed better as predictive biomarkers of response than BEC and IgE. Cytokines and chemokines associated with airway eosinophilia, allergic inflammation, or Th2 inflammation, such as IL-13 and CXCL10, may be better predictors of clinical response to mepolizumab and omalizumab, than IL-5 or IgE, the targets of mepolizumab and omalizumab.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayobami Akenroye
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Tanawin Nopsopon
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan J Hacker
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tanya M Laidlaw
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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3
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Nkoy FL, Stone BL, Zhang Y, Luo G. A Roadmap for Using Causal Inference and Machine Learning to Personalize Asthma Medication Selection. JMIR Med Inform 2024; 12:e56572. [PMID: 38630536 PMCID: PMC11063904 DOI: 10.2196/56572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is a mainstay treatment for controlling asthma and preventing exacerbations in patients with persistent asthma. Many types of ICS drugs are used, either alone or in combination with other controller medications. Despite the widespread use of ICSs, asthma control remains suboptimal in many people with asthma. Suboptimal control leads to recurrent exacerbations, causes frequent ER visits and inpatient stays, and is due to multiple factors. One such factor is the inappropriate ICS choice for the patient. While many interventions targeting other factors exist, less attention is given to inappropriate ICS choice. Asthma is a heterogeneous disease with variable underlying inflammations and biomarkers. Up to 50% of people with asthma exhibit some degree of resistance or insensitivity to certain ICSs due to genetic variations in ICS metabolizing enzymes, leading to variable responses to ICSs. Yet, ICS choice, especially in the primary care setting, is often not tailored to the patient's characteristics. Instead, ICS choice is largely by trial and error and often dictated by insurance reimbursement, organizational prescribing policies, or cost, leading to a one-size-fits-all approach with many patients not achieving optimal control. There is a pressing need for a decision support tool that can predict an effective ICS at the point of care and guide providers to select the ICS that will most likely and quickly ease patient symptoms and improve asthma control. To date, no such tool exists. Predicting which patient will respond well to which ICS is the first step toward developing such a tool. However, no study has predicted ICS response, forming a gap. While the biologic heterogeneity of asthma is vast, few, if any, biomarkers and genotypes can be used to systematically profile all patients with asthma and predict ICS response. As endotyping or genotyping all patients is infeasible, readily available electronic health record data collected during clinical care offer a low-cost, reliable, and more holistic way to profile all patients. In this paper, we point out the need for developing a decision support tool to guide ICS selection and the gap in fulfilling the need. Then we outline an approach to close this gap via creating a machine learning model and applying causal inference to predict a patient's ICS response in the next year based on the patient's characteristics. The model uses electronic health record data to characterize all patients and extract patterns that could mirror endotype or genotype. This paper supplies a roadmap for future research, with the eventual goal of shifting asthma care from one-size-fits-all to personalized care, improve outcomes, and save health care resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flory L Nkoy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Bryan L Stone
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Yue Zhang
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Cao TBT, Quoc QL, Jang JH, Park HS. Immune Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Responses in Severe Asthma. Yonsei Med J 2024; 65:194-201. [PMID: 38515356 PMCID: PMC10973555 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2023.0432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma (SA) has heterogeneous inflammatory phenotypes characterized by persistent airway inflammation (eosinophilic and/or neutrophilic inflammation) and remodeling. Various immune cells (eosinophils, neutrophils, and macrophages) become more activated and release inflammatory mediators and extracellular traps, damaging the protective barrier of airway epithelial cells and further activating other immune and structural cells. These cells play a role in autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways, where the adaptive immune system generates autoantibodies, inducing immunoglobulin G-dependent airway inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that adult asthmatics had high titers of autoantibodies associated with asthma severity, although pathogenic factors or diagnostic criteria are not well-defined. This challenge is further compounded by asthmatics with the autoimmune responses showing therapy insensitivity or failure to current pharmacological and biological treatment. This review updates emerging mechanisms of autoimmune responses in asthmatic airways and provides insights into their roles, proposing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Bich Tra Cao
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Quang Luu Quoc
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyuk Jang
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Hae-Sim Park
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
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5
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Hussain M, Liu G. Eosinophilic Asthma: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Horizons. Cells 2024; 13:384. [PMID: 38474348 PMCID: PMC10931088 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a prevalent chronic non-communicable disease, affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by significant airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, obstruction, and remodeling. Eosinophilic asthma, a subtype of asthma, involves the accumulation of eosinophils in the airways. These eosinophils release mediators and cytokines, contributing to severe airway inflammation and tissue damage. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting eosinophils could reduce airway remodeling and slow the progression of asthma. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the immunopathology of asthma, identify specific eosinophil-associated biomarkers, and categorize patients more accurately based on the clinical characteristics (phenotypes) and underlying pathobiological mechanisms (endotypes). This review delves into the role of eosinophils in exacerbating severe asthma, exploring various phenotypes and endotypes, as well as biomarkers. It also examines the current and emerging biological agents that target eosinophils in eosinophilic asthma. By focusing on these aspects, both researchers and clinicians can advance the development of targeted therapies to combat eosinophilic pathology in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musaddique Hussain
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Gang Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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6
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Al Meslamani AZ. Decoding treatment efficacy: uncovering response and failure dynamics to biologics in asthma. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2024; 24:25-29. [PMID: 38174421 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2024.2302583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asthma is a global health problem, with alarming prevalence and mortality rates. Biologic therapies, particularly monoclonal antibodies such as omalizumab, have emerged as promising alternatives, targeting specific immune pathways. This article assesses the efficacy of these biologics in asthma management and attempts to reveal factors associated with their response and failure dynamics. AREA COVERED This article explores the efficacy of biologics in asthma, biomarkers, and the relationship between asthma phenotypes (including eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic (neutrophilic) types) and biologic treatments; particularly their effectiveness for each subtype. EXPERT OPINION Personalized asthma management that incorporates molecular insights as well as individual variations is of outmost necessity. An emphasis is put on immunological profiling, understanding comorbidities and considering individual patient factors when managing asthma. Cutting-edge phenotyping tools including omic technologies play a crucial role in improving asthma management precision. Variability in patient responses to biologic treatments such as non-responders, partial responders and super responders poses a formidable challenge to effective asthma care management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Z Al Meslamani
- College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- AAU Health and Biomedical Research Quality of Care Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Carriera L, Fantò M, Martini A, D’Abramo A, Puzio G, Scaramozzino MU, Coppola A. Combination of Biological Therapy in Severe Asthma: Where We Are? J Pers Med 2023; 13:1594. [PMID: 38003909 PMCID: PMC10672189 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological drugs have revolutionized the management of severe asthma. However, a variable number of patients remain uncontrolled or only partially controlled even after the appropriate administration of a biologic agent. The combination of two biologics may target different inflammatory pathways, and it has been used in patients suffering from uncontrolled severe asthma with evidence of both allergic and eosinophilic phenotypes or severe asthma and type2 comorbidities. Combination therapy has also been used to handle anti-IL4/13R induced hypereosinophilia. There is insufficient data on combining biologics for the treatment of severe uncontrolled asthma and type 2 comorbidities, also because of the high cost, and currently no guideline recommends dual biologic therapy. A systematic search was performed using the Medline and Scopus databases. Published data on concurrent administration of two biological drugs in severe, uncontrolled asthma patients has been reported in 28 real-world studies and 1 clinical trial. Data extraction was followed by a descriptive and narrative synthesis of the findings. Future studies should be conducted to further assess the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Carriera
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Marta Fantò
- UOSD Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica, A.O. San Donato, USL Toscana Sud Est, 52100 Arezzo, Italy;
| | - Alessia Martini
- Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alice D’Abramo
- UOC Pneumologia, Ospedale San Filippo Neri-ASL Roma 1, 00135 Rome, Italy; (A.D.); (G.P.); (A.C.)
| | - Genesio Puzio
- UOC Pneumologia, Ospedale San Filippo Neri-ASL Roma 1, 00135 Rome, Italy; (A.D.); (G.P.); (A.C.)
| | | | - Angelo Coppola
- UOC Pneumologia, Ospedale San Filippo Neri-ASL Roma 1, 00135 Rome, Italy; (A.D.); (G.P.); (A.C.)
- UniCamillus, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy
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8
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Park S, Kim Y, Lee GH, Choi SA. A risk of serious anaphylatic reactions to asthma biologics: a pharmacovigilance study based on a global real-world database. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17607. [PMID: 37848636 PMCID: PMC10582024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44973-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the lung airways. Chronic use of oral glucocorticoids in patients with severe asthma is associated with several adverse events (AEs). Biologics (omalizumab, benralizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, and dupilumab) have been developed as alternative therapies for the treatment of asthma. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the risk of anaphylactic reactions associated with these five biologics based on a large global database. We utilized individual case reports from the Uppsala Monitoring Center from January 1968 to December 29, 2019. A disproportionality analysis was performed over all drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Anaphylactic reactions were defined according to the "anaphylactic reaction" of the standardized MedDRA queries. Contrary to dupilumab, omalizumab, benralizumab, and mepolizumab demonstrated positive signals related to anaphylactic reactions over all drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Reslizumab, which represented only 315 cases of all AEs, requires more reports to determine its association with anaphylactic reactions. More anaphylactic reactions have been identified than are known, and most cases (96.2%) are reported to be serious. Our findings indicate that omalizumab, benralizumab, and mepolizumab for asthma treatment are associated with a high risk of anaphylactic reactions; thus, more careful monitoring in the post-administration period is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny Park
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Yeju Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Geon Ho Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Soo An Choi
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea.
- College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea.
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9
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Ali MM, Mukherjee M, Radford K, Patel Z, Capretta A, Nair P, Brennan JD. A Rapid Sputum-based Lateral Flow Assay for Airway Eosinophilia using an RNA-cleaving DNAzyme Selected for Eosinophil Peroxidase. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307451. [PMID: 37477970 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The first protein-binding allosteric RNA-cleaving DNAzyme (RCD) obtained by direct in vitro selection against eosinophil peroxidase (EPX), a validated marker for airway eosinophilia, is described. The RCD has nanomolar affinity for EPX, shows high selectivity against related peroxidases and other eosinophil proteins, and is resistant to degradation by mammalian nucleases. An optimized RCD was used to develop both fluorescence and lateral flow assays, which were evaluated using 38 minimally processed patient sputum samples (23 non-eosinophilic, 15 eosinophilic), producing a clinical sensitivity of 100 % and specificity of 96 %. This RCD-based lateral flow assay should allow for rapid evaluation of airway eosinophilia as an aid for guiding asthma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Monsur Ali
- Biointerfaces Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Manali Mukherjee
- Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Health Care, L8N 4A6, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Radford
- Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Health Care, L8N 4A6, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Zil Patel
- Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Health Care, L8N 4A6, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Alfredo Capretta
- Biointerfaces Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Parameswaran Nair
- Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Firestone Institute of Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Health Care, L8N 4A6, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - John D Brennan
- Biointerfaces Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, L8S 4K1, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Scioscia G, Tondo P, Nolasco S, Pelaia C, Carpagnano GE, Caiaffa MF, Valenti G, Maglio A, Papia F, Triggiani M, Crimi N, Pelaia G, Vatrella A, Foschino Barbaro MP, Crimi C. Benralizumab in Patients with Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: A Multicentre Real-Life Experience. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4362. [PMID: 37445397 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mepolizumab and benralizumab are monoclonal antibodies directed against anti-IL-5 and anti-IL5R, respectively, and their use reduces the exacerbation rate and maintains oral corticosteroid requirements in severe eosinophilic asthma. Previous studies have tested the therapeutic switch between two biologics with excellent results, further demonstrating the heterogeneity of asthmatic disease and the complexity of the therapeutic choice. It remains unclear if such patients may improve following a switch from mepolizumab to benralizumab. AIMS Within a multicentre real-life setting, we decided to evaluate the potential effectiveness of a therapeutic switch to benralizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma initially treated with mepolizumab, who experienced sub-optimal responses. The secondary aim was to identify the clinical factors associated with a better response to benralizumab. METHODS We retrospectively assessed patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated at six Italian specialist centres, who were switched from mepolizumab to benralizumab following a sub-optimal response, defined as a partial or total lack of clinical remission (i.e., frequent severe exacerbations and/or poorly controlled symptoms and/or higher OCS daily use in patients with a poor or moderate response in the global evaluation of treatment effectiveness scale), after at least 12 months of treatment. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were included in the analysis (mean age 56.76 ± 11.97 years, 65% female). At 6 months of treatment with benralizumab, the ACT score was significantly higher than the ACT score with mepolizumab (20.24 ± 3.38 vs. 16.77 ± 3.48, p < 0.0001); the mean number of daily SABA inhalations was significantly lower after 6 months and 12 months of treatment with benralizumab than that after treatment with mepolizumab; OCS intake and the prednisone median dosage at 6 months of treatment with benralizumab were significantly lower than those with mepolizumab. Benralizumab treatment resulted in a marked improvement in asthma control, suppressed blood eosinophil levels and reduction in the number of exacerbations in the subgroup of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and nasal polyposis. CONCLUSIONS Patients diagnosed with severe eosinophilic asthma who experience a partial response to mepolizumab could benefit from switching to benralizumab, and even more those who have nasal polyposis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Scioscia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Tondo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Santi Nolasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Corrado Pelaia
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Valenti
- Allergology and Pulmonology Unit, Provincial Outpatient Center of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelantonio Maglio
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesco Papia
- Allergology and Pulmonology Unit, Provincial Outpatient Center of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimo Triggiani
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Nunzio Crimi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Girolamo Pelaia
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vatrella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Crimi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
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11
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Scioscia G, Nolasco S, Campisi R, Quarato CMI, Caruso C, Pelaia C, Portacci A, Crimi C. Switching Biological Therapies in Severe Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119563. [PMID: 37298514 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, three classes of monoclonal antibodies targeting type 2 inflammation pathways are available in Italy for the treatment of severe asthma: anti-IgE (Omalizumab), anti-IL-5/anti-IL-5Rα (Mepolizumab and Benralizumab), and anti-IL-4Rα (Dupilumab). Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and real-life studies have been conducted to define their efficacy and identify baseline patients' characteristics potentially predictive of favorable outcomes. Switching to another monoclonal antibody is recommended in case of a lack of benefits. The aim of this work is to review the current knowledge on the impact of switching biological therapies in severe asthma as well as on predictors of treatment response or failure. Almost all of the information about switching from a previous monoclonal antibody to another comes from a real-life setting. In the available studies, the most frequent initial biologic was Omalizumab and patients who were switched because of suboptimal control with a previous biologic therapy were more likely to have a higher baseline blood eosinophil count and exacerbation rate despite OCS dependence. The choice of the most suitable treatment may be guided by the patient's clinical history, biomarkers of endotype (mainly blood eosinophils and FeNO), and comorbidities (especially nasal polyposis). Due to overlapping eligibility, larger investigations characterizing the clinical profile of patients benefiting from switching to different monoclonal antibodies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Scioscia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Santi Nolasco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Policlinico "G. Rodolico-San Marco", 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Campisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Cristiano Caruso
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Digestive Disease Center, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Pelaia
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Andrea Portacci
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Section of Respiratory Disease, University "Aldo Moro" of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Crimi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
- Respiratory Medicine Unit, Policlinico "G. Rodolico-San Marco", 95123 Catania, Italy
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12
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van der Burg N, Tufvesson E. Is asthma's heterogeneity too vast to use traditional phenotyping for modern biologic therapies? Respir Med 2023; 212:107211. [PMID: 36924848 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole van der Burg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ellen Tufvesson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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13
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A case series of dual biologics therapy for severe asthma. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:335-340.e2. [PMID: 36210053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Papaioannou AI, Fouka E, Bartziokas K, Kallieri M, Vontetsianos A, Porpodis K, Rovina N, Loukides S, Bakakos P. Defining response to therapy with biologics in severe asthma: from global evaluation to super response and remission. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:481-493. [PMID: 37318035 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2226392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In recent years, monoclonal antibodies targeting Type-2 inflammatory pathways have been developed for severe asthma treatment. However, even when patients are carefully selected, the response to treatment varies. AREAS COVERED Different studies have evaluated response to therapy with biologics such as exacerbation reduction, symptom improvement, pulmonary function increase, improvement in QoL, or decrease of oral corticosteroids, showing that all patients do not respond to all disease aspects and leading to an extensive debate regarding the definition of response. EXPERT OPINION Assessing response to therapy is of great importance, but since there is no uniform definition of treatment response, the recognition of patients who really benefit from these therapies remains an unmet need. In the same context, identifying non-responding patients in which biologic therapy should be switched or substituted by alternative treatment options is of paramount importance. In this review, we present the road trip of the definition of therapeutic response to biologics in severe asthmatics by presenting the current relevant medical literature. We also present the suggested predictors of response, with an emphasis on the so-called super-responders. Finally, we discuss the recent insights regarding asthma remission as a feasible treatment goal and provide a simple algorithm for the evaluation of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andriana I Papaioannou
- 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Fouka
- Medical School, Department of Respiratory Medicine, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Division for Lung and Airway Research, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Maria Kallieri
- Medical School, 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, General University Hospital "Attikon", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Vontetsianos
- 1 Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Porpodis
- Medical School, Department of Respiratory Medicine, General Hospital G. Papanikolaou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikoletta Rovina
- 1 Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stelios Loukides
- Medical School, 2 Respiratory Medicine Department, General University Hospital "Attikon", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petros Bakakos
- 1 Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, "Sotiria" Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
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15
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Switching Biological Therapies in Adults with Severe Asthma: What Are the Dilemmas and Is It Worthwhile? Ann Am Thorac Soc 2022; 19:1965-1970. [PMID: 35984426 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202203-251ps] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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16
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Venegas Garrido C, Mukherjee M, Bhalla A, Nair P. Airway autoimmunity, asthma exacerbations, and response to biologics. Clin Exp Allergy 2022; 52:1365-1378. [PMID: 35993511 DOI: 10.1111/cea.14220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Biologic therapies in asthma are indicated in severe disease, and they are directed against specific inflammatory modulators that contribute to pathogenesis and severity. Currently approved biologics target T2 cytokines (IgE, IL-5, IL-4/IL-13, and TLSP) and have demonstrated efficacy in clinical outcomes such as exacerbation rate and oral corticosteroid dose reductions, blood and airway eosinophil depletion, and lung function improvement. However, a proportion of these patients may show inadequate responses to biologics, with either initial lack of improvement or clinical and functional worsening after an optimal initial response. Exacerbations while on a biologic may be due to several reasons, including imprecise identification of the dominant effector pathway contributing to severity, additional inflammatory pathways that are not targeted by the biologic, inaccuracies of the biomarker used to guide therapy, inadequate dosing schedules, intercurrent airway infections, anti-drug neutralizing antibodies, and a novel phenomenon of autoimmune responses in the airways interfering with the effectiveness of the monoclonal antibodies. This review, illustrated using case scenarios, describes the underpinnings of airway autoimmune responses in driving exacerbations while patients are being treated with biologics, device a strategy to evaluate such exacerbations, an algorithm to switch between biologics, and perhaps to consider two biologics concurrently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Venegas Garrido
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manali Mukherjee
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anurag Bhalla
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Parameswaran Nair
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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17
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Liang S, Li Y, Dong Q, Chen X. MMKP: A mind mapping knowledgebase prototyping tool for precision medicine. Front Immunol 2022; 13:923528. [PMID: 36091046 PMCID: PMC9452637 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.923528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundWith significant advancements in the area of precision medicine, the breadth and complexity of the relevant knowledge in the field has increased significantly. However, the difficulty associated with dynamic modelling and the disorganization of such knowledge hinders its rapid development potential.ResultsTo overcome the difficulty in using the relational database model for dynamic modelling, and to aid in the organization of precision medicine knowledge, we developed the Mind Mapping Knowledgebase Prototyping (MMKP) tool. The MMKP implements a novel design that we call a “polymorphic foreign key”, which allows the establishment of a logical linkage between a single table field and a record from any table. This design has advantages in supporting dynamic changes to the structural relationships in precision medicine knowledge. Knowledge stored in MMKP is presented as a mind map to facilitate human interaction. When using this tool, medical experts may curate the structure and content of the precision knowledge in a flow that is similar to the human thinking process.ConclusionsThe design of polymorphic foreign keys natively supports knowledge modelling in the form of mind mapping, which avoids the hard-coding of medical logic into a rigid database schema and significantly reduces the workload that is required for adapting a relational data model to future changes to the medical logic. The MMKP tool provides a graphical user interface for both data management and knowledgebase prototyping. It supports the flexible customization of the data field constraints and annotations. MMKP is available as open-source code on GitHub: https://github.com/ZjuLiangsl/mmkp.
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18
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Di Bona D, Spataro F, Carlucci P, Paoletti G, Canonica GW. Severe asthma and personalized approach in the choice of biologic. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 22:268-275. [PMID: 35779061 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Severe asthma requires intensive pharmacological treatment to achieve disease control. Oral corticosteroids are effective, but their use is burdened with important side effects. Biologics targeting the specific inflammatory pathways underpinning the disease have been shown to be effective but not all patients respond equally well. As we treat more patients than those who can respond, our inability to predict responders has important healthcare costs considering that biologics are expensive drugs. Thus, a more precise choice of the 'right patients' to be prescribed with the 'right biologics' would be desirable. RECENT FINDINGS Machine learning techniques showed that it is possible to increase our ability to predict outcomes in patients treated with biologics. Recently, we identified by cluster analysis four different clusters within the T2 high phenotype with differential benralizumab response. Two of these clusters, characterized by higher levels of inflammatory markers, showed the highest response rate (80-90%). SUMMARY Machine learning holds promise for asthma research enabling us to predict which patients will respond to which drug. These techniques can facilitate the diagnostic workflow and increase the chance of selecting the more appropriate treatment option for the individual patient, enhancing patient care and satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Di Bona
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School and Chair of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Federico Spataro
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School and Chair of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Palma Carlucci
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, School and Chair of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Giovanni Paoletti
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio W Canonica
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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Porpodis K, Tsiouprou I, Apostolopoulos A, Ntontsi P, Fouka E, Papakosta D, Vliagoftis H, Domvri K. Eosinophilic Asthma, Phenotypes-Endotypes and Current Biomarkers of Choice. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071093. [PMID: 35887589 PMCID: PMC9316404 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma phenotyping and endotyping are constantly evolving. Currently, several biologic agents have been developed towards a personalized approach to asthma management. This review will focus on different eosinophilic phenotypes and Th2-associated endotypes with eosinophilic inflammation. Additionally, airway remodeling is analyzed as a key feature of asthmatic eosinophilic endotypes. In addition, evidence of biomarkers is examined with a predictive value to identify patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma who may benefit from new treatment options. Finally, there will be a discussion on the results from clinical trials regarding severe eosinophilic asthma and how the inhibition of the eosinophilic pathway by targeted treatments has led to the reduction of recurrent exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Porpodis
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Ioanna Tsiouprou
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Apostolos Apostolopoulos
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Polyxeni Ntontsi
- 2nd University Department of Respiratory Medicine, Attikon Hospital, 12462 Athens, Greece;
| | - Evangelia Fouka
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Despoina Papakosta
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
| | - Harissios Vliagoftis
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, 567 HMRC, Edmonton, AB T6G 2S2, Canada;
| | - Kalliopi Domvri
- Pulmonary Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (K.P.); (I.T.); (A.A.); (E.F.); (D.P.)
- Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2313307258
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20
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Watkins RR. Using Precision Medicine for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Pneumonia. Adv Ther 2022; 39:3061-3071. [PMID: 35596912 PMCID: PMC9123616 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02180-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn considerable attention to viral pneumonia from clinicians, public health authorities, and the general public. With dozens of viruses able to cause pneumonia in humans, differentiating viral from bacterial pneumonia can be very challenging in clinical practice using traditional diagnostic methods. Precision medicine is a medical model in which decisions, practices, interventions, and therapies are adapted to the individual patient on the basis of their predicted response or risk of disease. Precision medicine approaches hold promise as a way to improve outcomes for patients with viral pneumonia. This review describes the latest advances in the use of precision medicine for diagnosing and treating viral pneumonia in adults and discusses areas where further research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard R Watkins
- Department of Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA.
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21
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Novel Biological Therapies for Severe Asthma Endotypes. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051064. [PMID: 35625801 PMCID: PMC9138687 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe asthma comprises several heterogeneous phenotypes, underpinned by complex pathomechanisms known as endotypes. The latter are driven by intercellular networks mediated by molecular components which can be targeted by specific monoclonal antibodies. With regard to the biological treatments of either allergic or non-allergic eosinophilic type 2 asthma, currently available antibodies are directed against immunoglobulins E (IgE), interleukin-5 (IL-5) and its receptor, the receptors of interleukins-4 (IL-4) and 13 (IL-13), as well as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and other alarmins. Among these therapeutic strategies, the best choice should be made according to the phenotypic/endotypic features of each patient with severe asthma, who can thus respond with significant clinical and functional improvements. Conversely, very poor options so far characterize the experimental pipelines referring to the perspective biological management of non-type 2 severe asthma, which thereby needs to be the focus of future thorough research.
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22
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Menzella F, Fontana M, Ruggiero P, Livrieri F, Facciolongo N. Home-based treatment of biologics for asthma: who, what, where, when and why. Expert Rev Respir Med 2022; 16:419-428. [PMID: 35324362 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2022.2057301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The advent of biologic therapies for severe asthma has profoundly changed the management of this pathology. The introduction of home administration is therefore an important innovation to optimize the patients' management, even if there are many aspects that need to be clarified and pointed out. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the path that led to the possibility of self-administration of biologics, and what the pandemic has changed in the management of these patients. EXPERT OPINION The growing understanding of asthma phenotypes and endotypes is enabling the careful selection of patients suitable for biologics. In this context, the availability of reliable and simple self-injection devices is important in implementing self-administration. The transition to self-injection is also possible thanks to the high safety profile of biologics. With attention, most patients may potentially be suitable for self-administration. The transition process from hospital to home administration can therefore be carried out correctly by clinicians with adequate expertise in the field of severe asthma and biologic therapies, with the support of other health professionals, pharmacists, and general practitioners. Home administration is probably the best way to guarantee high adherence and high-level satisfaction of patients, even in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Menzella
- Pulmonology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia- IRCCS, 42123, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Matteo Fontana
- Pulmonology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia- IRCCS, 42123, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ruggiero
- Pulmonology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia- IRCCS, 42123, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Francesco Livrieri
- Pulmonology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia- IRCCS, 42123, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Nicola Facciolongo
- Pulmonology Unit, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Azienda USL di Reggio Emilia- IRCCS, 42123, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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