Targeting downstream type 2 cytokines or upstream epithelial alarmins for severe asthma

Rory Chan, Kirsten Stewart, Rashad Misirovs, Brian Lipworth (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    36 Citations (Scopus)
    131 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Biologics, including omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab, targeting downstream IgE, cytokines IL-5, and IL-4/13, respectively, have shown promising effects in terms of reduction in annualized asthma exacerbation rates (AER), oral corticosteroid-sparing effects, improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and improved Asthma Control Questionnaire scores. However, despite these welcome advances, approximately 30% of patients with severe asthma receiving biologics tailored to their specific downstream type 2 biomarkers, including total IgE, peripheral blood eosinophils, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide, do not experience meaningful improvements in their AER. Instead of blocking downstream cytokines, targeting upstream epithelial alarmins, including IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and IL-25, has been proposed to tackle the immunologic heterogeneity of asthma. This review article aims to pragmatically summarize the latest key clinical data on antialarmin therapies in severe asthma and put these findings into context with regard to currently available downstream cytokine blockers.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1497-1505
    Number of pages9
    JournalThe Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice
    Volume10
    Issue number6
    Early online date4 Feb 2022
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2022

    Keywords

    • Antialarmins
    • Biologics
    • Brodalumab
    • Cytokines
    • Itepekimab
    • Severe asthma
    • Tezepelumab

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Immunology and Allergy

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