Clinical situations necessitating the use of biologics in asthma

Are there any clinical situations in which the use of biologics is necessary in patients with asthma?

Paul O’Byrne: The population that has shown the most benefit with the biologics, particularly those that bind to interleukin 5. There are 3 antibodies currently available or soon to be available: mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab. Each of these has shown very clear benefit in reducing severe exacerbation rates in patients with severe refractory eosinophilic asthma, but also, importantly, in the ability to wean patients off oral corticosteroids.

Patients who have severe disease, are taking oral corticosteroids to manage their disease, and have evidence of persistent airway eosinophilia should be treated with these treatment approaches because you will likely get improved control, reduced exacerbation risk, and at the same time be able to reduce or maybe even discontinue oral corticosteroids.