Dupilumab Might Help Patients with Severe Uncontrolled Asthma

As an add-on to inhaled steroids and long-acting β-agonists, dupilumab improved lung function and lowered severe exacerbation rates.

In a previous study, the anti–interleukin (IL)-4 monoclonal antibody dupilumab improved symptoms in patients with nasal polyposis (NEJM JW Gen Med Mar 1 2016 and JAMA 2016; 315:469). Now, investigators have randomized nearly 800 adults with uncontrolled asthma despite treatment with inhaled steroids plus long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) to receive add-on therapy with subcutaneous dupilumab or placebo for 24 weeks. Dupilumab is not FDA-approved.

Treatment every 2 weeks was associated significantly with 12% improvement in forced expiratory volume, 70% fewer severe exacerbations, and improved quality-of-life scores, compared with placebo. In addition, asthma-control and quality-of-life scores favored treatment every 2 weeks rather than every 4 we…

Reviewing Author

David J. Amrol, MD

Disclosures

Speaker’s BureauAstraZeneca; Incyte

David J. Amrol, MD

Disclosures

Speaker’s BureauAstraZeneca; Incyte

Dupilumab Might Help Patients with Severe Uncontrolled Asthma

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Reviewing Author