Fasenra (benralizumab) for Eosinophilic Esophagitis was made a reality today, when the FDA granted it Orphan Drug Designation (ODD). The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) provides for granting special status to a drug or biological product (“drug”) to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. This status is referred to as orphan […]
Dupixent for Hives
Dupixent for hives is novel treatment option for patients with difficult to treatment chronic spontaneous urticaria. Chronic hives is a common condition marked by episodes of elevated, itching, red wheals persisting for more than 6 weeks without a specific known cause. It is estimated that chronic hives affects about 1% of the population. The mechanism […]
Benralizumab (Fasenra) in asthma
Benralizumab (Fasenra) is an interleukin (IL)-5 receptor monoclonal antibody that induces direct, rapid and nearly complete depletion of eosinophils in the circulation. Benaralizumab is approved for use in Canada, Europe, Japan and the U.S. In the United States, it is indicated for the add-on treatment of patients with asthma aged 12 and up with an […]
Costs of Asthma Biologic Medications
The costs of asthma biologic medications can be quite expensive. Currently on the market there are 5 available. Xolair (omalizumab) Nucala (mepolizumab) Cinqair (reslizumab) Fasenra (benralizumab) Dupixent (Dupilumab) We have discussed each of them extensively in previous post. Xolair (Omalizumab) for Chronic Urticaria (this post discusses Xolair’s approval for chronic urticaria (hives) it was approved for […]
Fezakinumab an IL-22 antagonist for Eczema
IL-22 upregulation characterizes atopic dermatitis lesions. However, blocking IL-22 has not been defined in human subjects. A recent study sought to evaluate the cellular and molecular effects of fezakinumab (anti-IL-22) versus placebo taken from biopsy specimens. Atopic dermatitis is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease with increasing prevalence. IL-4 and IL-13 are the 2 […]
Tralokinumab for Atopic Dermatitis
Tralokinumab is a fully human monclonal antibody that potently and specifically neutralizes IL-13. IL-13 has an important role in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis. Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It can affect sleep, psychosocial activities and health related quality of life. The symptoms of many patients are not controlled with current treatment regimens. […]
Nucala vs. Fasenra vs. Cinqair; A Comparison Study
Three anti-IL-5 pathway directed therapies are approved for use in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, however no head to head comparison data are available. Nucala (mepolizumab) and Cinqair (reslizumab) target IL-5 and Fasenra (benralizumab) binds to the IL-5 receptor. All 3 therapies have demonstrated statistically significant reductions in exacerbation rates. Additionally, Nucala and Fasenra reduced […]
New Eczema Medications in the Pipeline
In the past year or so, new eczema medications have been released that have been highly beneficial for patients. We have seen Eucrisa (crisaborole) New Eczema Medication gets FDA Approval, this is a topical medication which is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4-depndent cyclic adenosine monophosphate degradation. It was approved in 2016 for mild to moderate atopic […]
Tralokinumab for Asthma
Tralokinumab is an IL-13 neutralizing monoclonal antibody being investigated for severe asthma. The success of neutralization of IL-5 for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma has increased investigation into the therapeutic potential of other type 2 cytokines, including IL-13. 3 recent trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of tralokinumab, an IL-13 neutralizing mAb, […]
Solar Urticaria (Sun Hives)
Solar urticaria, is a type of skin response after exposure to the sun. There is an abrupt onset of redness, swelling and itching in light exposed areas. The light waves that trigger solar urticaria are usually within the range of 400 to 700 nm (visible light) and 320 to 400 nm (UV A). Patients often […]