New Biologic for Severe Asthma
AstraZeneca and Amgen have released a new biologic called Tezspire (tezepelumab-ekko). It is a once a month injectable for severe asthma, available in your physician’s office.
Previous biologics inhibited interleukin chemicals or inflammatory chemicals in the lining of the lung. Dupixent inhibits IL-4 and IL-13, Nucala and Fasenra IL-5, and Xolair IgE. They are effective in about 50 to 70% of the patients with asthma that is not responsive to dual inhalers such as Advair, Breo inhaler, or triple inhalers such as Breztri or Trelegy.
The new injection is the first medication to work on the basement membrane. The main problem with chronic asthma is the chronic inflammation of the basement membrane of the lung. Over time, the increase remodeling and scar tissue causes the lung to be less malleable and suffer less bronchodilation with beta agonist simple asthma inhalers. Tezspire inhbits a chemical called thymic stromal lymphopoietin. This is the first of three chemical alarmins which are released when the basement memebrane is injured and the lung is initially insulated.
If you need to book an appointment for your allergies or asthma, you can book your appointment online, or call 212-247-7447.