What is severe asthma?
Asthma which requires the use of high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a second controller
(and/or systemic corticosteroids) to prevent it from becoming ‘uncontrolled’ or which remains
‘uncontrolled’ despite this therapy.[1] (International European Respiratory Society [ERS] and American Thoracic Society [ATS] Task Force.)
REFRACTORY DISEASE
Patients with refractory disease either remain uncontrolled despite their treatment being optimised or require high doses of controller and reliever medication to maintain control.[2]
EOSINOPHILIC PHENOTYPE
The eosinophilic asthma phenotype has been shown to be associated with asthma severity, late-onset disease and steroid refractoriness.[3]
TARGETED THERAPIES
By characterising a patient’s severe asthma phenotype, they can be treated differently with personalised and targeted therapies, and outcomes could be improved.[4]
Prevalence and burden
Severe asthma patients are at high risk of having a severe exacerbation and are often dependent on oral corticosteroids.[7],[8]
These patients account for 50% of healthcare resource utilisation and have few therapeutic options available.[9],[10],[11]
Nucala is the first anti-IL-5 treatment that specifically targets the eosinophilic phenotype.[7],[12]
References:
- Chung KF, Wenzel SE, Brozek JL et al. Eur Respir J 2014;43:343–373.
- Moore WC, Bleecker ER, Curran-Everett D, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007;119:405–413.
- Hoskins G, McCowan C, Neville RG. et al. Thorax 2000;55:19–24.
- Campo P, Rodriguez F, Sánchez-García et al. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2013;23:76–88.
- Peters S P, Ferguson G, Deniz Y et al. Respir med 2006;100:1139–1151.
- Nucala Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Chung KF, Wenzel SE, Brozek JL, et al. Eur Respir J 2014;43:343–373.
- Peters SP, Ferguson G, Deniz Y, et al. Respir Med 2006;100:1139–1151.
- Walford H, Doherty T. J Asthma Allergy 2014;11:53–65.
- Campo P, Rodriguez F, Sanchez-Garcia S, et al. J lnvestig Allergol Clin lmmunol 2013;23:76–88.
- Nucala Summary of Product Characteristics.