Biologics for oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2020 May 1;41(3):151-157. doi: 10.2500/aap.2020.41.200015.

Abstract

Background: Oral corticosteroid (OCS) dependent asthma is one of the severe asthma phenotypes that requires personalized treatment. Objective: To review the role of biologic treatments in OCS-dependent asthma. Methods: A nonsystematic review was performed of emerging multiple novel biologics for potential treatment of OCS-dependent asthma. Results: The serious adverse effects of OCS can be seen as a result of their regular long-term administration. Anti-interleukin (IL) 5 (mepolizumab), anti-IL-5R (benralizumab), and anti-IL-4Rα (dupilumab) are the therapies of choice for OCS-dependent severe asthma. Results of studies showed the efficacy of mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab, especially in patients with the OCS-dependent severe eosinophilic asthma phenotype and with nasal polyps. Dupilumab may be the therapy of choice of monoclonal antibodies in cases of moderate-severe atopic dermatitis accompanied by OCS-dependent severe asthma. For reslizumab and omalizumab, placebo controlled double-blind studies conducted with OCS-dependent patient populations are needed. Conclusion: Biologics are effective in the "OCS-dependent asthma" phenotype as add-on therapy. It seems that chronic OCS use in OCS-dependent asthma will be replaced by biologic agents that specifically target type 2 inflammation, along with a much better safety profile. However, real-life studies that compare these biologics in OCS-dependent severe asthma are urgently needed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / complications
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Biological Products / therapeutic use
  • Drug Resistance
  • Humans
  • Nasal Polyps / complications
  • Nasal Polyps / drug therapy
  • Omalizumab / therapeutic use
  • Phenotype
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / complications
  • Pulmonary Eosinophilia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Biological Products
  • Omalizumab
  • reslizumab
  • dupilumab
  • benralizumab
  • mepolizumab