McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine

McMaster Textbook of Internal Medicine
Interviews
Respirology
Biologics in asthma–COPD overlap syndrome

Biologics in asthma–COPD overlap syndrome

2017-12-13

Paul O’Byrne

What is your opinion on the use of biologics in patients with asthma–chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome?

Paul O’Byrne: We have very good high-quality evidence to support the use of biologics, particularly those that bind to interleukin 5, in severe refractory eosinophilic asthma. There are studies currently underway, and we have recently published a small study of the use of this approach in COPD with persistent airway eosinophilia which did not show benefit.

What we do not have are studies looking at larger populations of patients with asthma–COPD overlap syndrome. Although, I understand, some larger studies are underway and we will have information probably quite soon about the potential value in that population.

See also

Monitoring cough in clinical practice How can we monitor cough in clinical practice? Is there a place for questionnaires or cough monitors outside specialist centers, maybe even in general practitioners’ offices?
Role of COPD phenotypes in treatment Is it likely that in the near future the knowledge on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes will help to choose an optimal treatment?
Repeated CT scans in patients with no pulmonary nodules If a patient enters a screening program and the first computed tomography (CT) is negative, how often are CT scans usually repeated in those with no pulmonary nodules? Is it necessary to repeat the CT scan if the first screening was negative?
Fish oil in pregnancy and precision medicine Dr Paul O’Byrne, Dean and Vice-President of Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, discusses fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and in patients with asthma.
Testing for latent TB infection in vaccinated populations In Poland, a significant proportion of cases of tuberculosis (TB) is latent TB infection, and most of the population has been vaccinated against TB. Is there still a place for tuberculin skin testing or should it be replaced with IGRAs?
Asthma–COPD overlap syndrome A lecture by Prof. Paul O’Byrne, from McMaster University, Canada, delivered at McMaster International Review Course in Internal Medicine in Kraków in May 2016.

We would love to hear from you

Comments, mistakes, suggestions?

We use cookies to ensure you get the best browsing experience on our website. Refer to our Cookies Information and Privacy Policy for more details.