As Covid-19 continues to spread around the world, there are concerns that patients with asthma will be at higher risk or poorer outcomes. There is also concern about whether asthma treatments could worsen the risk of disease or severity. Currently, asthma is not in the top 10 comorbidities associated with Covid-19 fatalities, obesity, diabetes and […]
New Treatment for Hives being studied
The current only approved treatment for hives are antihistamines and Xolair (omalizumab). Omalizumab is approved for the treatment of chronic hives for those 12 years and older (it is approved for 6 years and older in asthma). New treatment for hives are on the horizon. Stepwise approach to Chronic Urticaria (Chronic Hives) Ligelizumab is a […]
Abrocitinib for Atopic Dermatitis by Pfizer
Abrocitinib is currently being developed by Pfizer for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (eczema). It is an investigational oral once-daily Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor. The JAK/STAT pathway is an important factor in inflammation and itch in atopic dermatitis. There are multiple receptors and signaling cascades involved in eczema related inflammation and itch, one of these […]
How does Dupixent work?
How does Dupixent work? Dupixent is currently indicated for patients who have atopic dermatitis, asthma and nasal polyps. Dupixent works by inhibiting IL4 and IL13 and it has improved outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). A recent study published in Allergy studied Dupixent’s local effects on type 2 inflammatory biomarkers. The study […]
Omalizumab for Atopic Dermatitis
Omalizumab for atopic dermatitis has shown promising results. In JAMA Pediatrics, the researchers have demonstrated for the first time that omalizumab, which neutralizes IgE, reduced disease severity and improved quality of life in pediatric patients with severe atopic dermatitis. This was the case even in subjects with very high baseline total plasma IgE levels. Omaizumab […]
Future Eosinophilic Esophagitis Treatment Options
Future eosinophilic esophagitis treatments are currently in development. There are currently on FDA approved medications for the treatment of EoE. Commonly used treatments now are proton pump inhibitors, swallowed or topical corticosteroids and food elimination diets. Although each of these options is effective, there are limitations. Swallowed steroids can control inflammation 70-80% of the time, […]
Can you taper your Xolair dosage for hives?
Chronic spontaneous urticaria involves recurrent episodes of hives with or without swelling for 6 weeks or longer from unknown causes. Although chronic hives tends to be self-limited in most patients, it affects quality of life. Most studies show that it affects 0.5% to 1% of the general population. The trigger is unknown and treatment includes […]
Ruxolitinib for Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Ruxolitinib is a new medication being studied for the treat of eczema. Ruxolitinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 and Janus kinase 2, it potently suppresses cytokine signaling involved in atopic dermatitis pathogenesis. We discussed the Janus Kinase pathway in a previous post and how new drugs are being developed for the treatment […]
Asthma biologic agents (Xolair, Cinqair, Nucala, Fasenra, Dupixent)
The last several years have seen an influx of asthma biologic agents to hit the market. Here we will discuss the 5 that are currently FDA approved to treat type 2 inflammatory asthma. Type 2 asthma inflammation is triggered by IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 along with other inflammatory mediators. Half of all patients with asthma […]
Etokimab, anti IL-33 for Food Allergy
Etokimab is an antibody that inhibits IL-33. IL-33 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is a central mediator of allergy diseases (i.e. food allergies). By blocking IL-33, etokimab prevents the downstream inflammation that occurs with allergy diseases. Etokimab is currently being studied for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and asthma by the pharmaceutical company AnaptysBio. The […]