Biologic Therapies Hold Potential for Severe Asthma, but Challenges Persist: Report

New Delhi: Biologic therapies are transforming severe asthma management, with the potential to achieve remission, but high costs and limited access remain significant hurdles, according to a report released on Tuesday by GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

As per IANS, biologic therapy, or immunotherapy, involves using substances derived from living organisms to treat diseases. These advanced treatments target specific inflammatory pathways, shifting the focus from merely controlling symptoms to potentially achieving remission in severe asthma cases.

“Biologics have fundamentally changed our approach to severe asthma by enabling targeted, personalized treatment, but expanding access is crucial to realizing their full potential,” said Sravani Meka, Senior Pharmaceutical Analyst at GlobalData, according to IANS.

Treatments such as dupilumab (interleukin-4 receptor alpha antagonist) and tezepelumab (anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin antibody) show promise for broader application, offering benefits to patients with various inflammatory profiles. Real-world evidence supports their efficacy across diverse patient groups, including those with complex asthma cases.

Despite the promise, the report highlighted barriers such as high costs, lack of equitable access, and limited insurance coverage, which restrict the availability of these transformative therapies, particularly in underserved communities. Inputs from IANS indicate that environmental and social factors further exacerbate challenges, as many patients in high-risk areas are disproportionately exposed to pollutants that worsen asthma symptoms.

“Tezepelumab’s broad efficacy, even for patients with low eosinophil counts, underscores the potential of biologics to address asthma across diverse profiles and demographics,” Meka added, as per IANS.

While systemic changes are needed to improve healthcare equity, the report called for sustained attention to cost and accessibility issues to ensure biologics reach all patients who need them.

Meka emphasized that the long-term impact of biologic therapies could mirror advancements seen in other fields, such as rheumatoid arthritis, where treatment has shifted from symptom management to remission. However, achieving this goal for asthma requires addressing structural and financial barriers to healthcare access.

According to IANS, expanding access to biologics and addressing these challenges could significantly enhance outcomes for severe asthma patients. The report stressed the urgency of equitable healthcare solutions to unlock the full potential of these innovative treatments.