Biologics in Inflammatory Care, COVID-19 Research

New meta-analysis data planned for presentation at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2020 International Conference this year showed interleukin-targeting biologic dupilumab (Dupixent) significant redued severe exacerbation rates of in subgroups of patients with uncontrolled, persistent eosinophilic asthma.

The international analysis of phase 2 and 3 trial data, led by Dr. Ian Pavord, a professor in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford, showed dupilumab 200-300 mg outperformed standard-of-care therapies including fellow biologics benralizumab, mepolizumab, and reslizumab in reducing severe asthma exacerbation rates.

Though outcomes from the assessment were limited in nature due to its being a meta-analysis, there’s plenty to draw from the growing case of evidence for the IL-4 and IL-13-targeting biologic in the treatment of type 2 inflammatory disease.

Pavord, from his home in England, joined the DocTalk podcast this week to discuss the newest dupilumab findings, as well as the current state of biologic care and research in respiratory medicine.

He also discussed the drug class’ influence on the advancement of asthma and inflammatory disease definitions, and their role in the clinical pursuit of individualized therapy.

And, of course, discussion turned to the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as it moved ATS 2020 to a virtual platform, and is extremely topical in the fields of respiratory and inflammatory care today.

Listen to the podcast below.

The study, “Meta-Analyses of Dupilumab Versus Standard of Care in Patients with Uncontrolled, Persistent Asthma,” was published online by ATS.