Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2018; 39(01): 100-114
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1606218
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Biologic Therapy and Asthma

Ravi K. Viswanathan
1   Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
,
William W. Busse
1   Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
10 February 2018 (online)

Abstract

Although airway inflammation is an intrinsic and key feature of asthma, this response varies in its intensity and translation to clinical characteristics and responsiveness to treatment. The observations that clinical heterogeneity is an important aspect of asthma and a feature that likely dictates and determines responses to treatment in severe asthma, patient responsiveness to medication is incomplete, and risks for exacerbation are increased. The development of biologics, which target selected and specific components of inflammation, has been a promising advance to achieve asthma control in patients with severe disease. This article reviews the current biologics available and under development and how their use has affected asthma and which subpopulations appear to benefit the greatest.

 
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