Retrospective assessment and Biologic Asthma Response Score reveal roadmap for switching biologics in severe asthma

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), including omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab, revolutionized severe asthma therapy. Each MAb is effective, none clearly superior.1 –3 Nonetheless, many patients switch MAbs owing to insufficient response or adverse effects, or to treat comorbidities. Switching MAbs often improves asthma, yet the frequency, causality, and outcome of switches remain understudied.4–6 Thus, universal, standardized responder criteria are needed. “Biologics Asthma Response Score” (BARS) combines asthma control test, daily oral corticosteroid dose, and annualized exacerbation rate, using a scoring system of 0 to 2 points for each criterion to distinguish “responders,” “partial responders,” and “non-responders.”7 Here, we retr ospectively evaluate the courses, therapy switches, and outcomes of MAbs therapies, at 1 center between November 2010 and October 2021, in conjunction with retrospectively applied BARS.
Source: Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Tags: Letters Source Type: research