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 […]
Fasenra for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
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 […]