New Biologics Treatments for Asthma
Asthma has both allergic and nonallergic component. Early onset asthma usually is allergic with perennial antigens—such as dust mites, cats, dogs, cockroaches and mice—playing a major role in America’s Urban core. However, as people age cigarette smoke and various industrial chemicals may also play a role in exacerbating asthma. Occasionally, asthma can lead to fixed obstruction or irreversible lung disease—which mimics COPD or cigarette-related smoking that causes a type of lung disease that is different. The intrinsic as well as the extrinsic pathway of the immune system can play a role in overlap.
New biologics such as anti-IL-5 for Nucala, and Dupixent—which is an anti-IL-413 inflammatory pathway—can play a role on the allergic and nonallergic side. These are usually given to patients who do not respond to traditional inhaled steroids anticholinergics and long-acting beta agonist. These newer drugs are touching on inflammatory pathways that would not be treated in the past. They are especially useful for people who have been on multiple doses of prednisone.
We are starting to personalize the treatment of asthma-like cancer and try to label going forward with different markers that can tease out which types of asthma you have.
If you need to book an appointment for your allergies or asthma, you can book your appointment online, or call 212-247-7447.