Biologic Therapeutics and Their Role in Allergic Disease of the Unified Airway

AbstractPurpose of ReviewRecent advances have been made in the use of biologic therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases of the unified airway. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge for biologic therapies in chronic airway disease, including indications for use, mechanisms of action, and future needs for research.Recent FindingsThere are currently four classes of FDA-approved biologic therapies for treatment of inflammatory airway diseases: Dupilumab (anti-IL-4R α) is approved for both moderate to severe allergic asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, including aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. Omalizumab (anti-IgE) is approved for persistent allergic asthma and mepolizumab, reslizumab (both anti-IL-5), and benralizumab (anti-IL-5Rα) are approved for asthma with eosinophilic endotype. Mepolizumab is also approved for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis which affects both upper and lower airways.SummaryBiologic therapies have offered new treatment options for patients suffering with the most severe forms of allergic airway diseases. The implementation and selection of biologic agents is currently a clinical decision with consideration of disease endotype, co-morbid diseases, and shared decision-making with the patient. Future studies will help determine the comparative performance of these agents, more detailed algorithms for use, long-term outcomes, and safety profiles.
Source: Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research