Ep. 109: Tezepelumab & Nasal Polyps - Inside the WAYPOINT Phase III Trial
Part of the series: The Itch Review
LISTEN TO EPISODE 109: Spotify • Amazon Music • Apple Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank AstraZeneca for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
Have you wondered why having more drug options matters for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps?
In the inaugural episode of our new series, The Itch Review, co-hosts Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta, along with special guest Dr. Michael Blaiss, unpack the journal article "Tezepelumab in Adults with Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps," published in the New England Journal of Medicine on March 1, 2025.
This article is about the Phase III WAYPOINT trial of tezepelumab. Already approved for severe asthma, this once-monthly biologic is now showing promise in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Over 52 weeks, 408 patients were randomized to receive 210 mg of tezepelumab every four weeks or placebo. Researchers tracked nasal-polyp scores, congestion, sense of smell, and rates of rescue surgery.
In this episode, we provide a brief overview of what CRSwNP is, why inflammation drives polyp formation and how blocking TSLP fits into today’s biologics options. We’ll walk you through the WAYPOINT Phase III design, explain the primary and secondary endpoints, and translate the headline results into what they mean for real-world patients who’ve exhausted their treatment options.
What we cover in our episode about treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps with tezepelumab:
CRSwNP basics & tezepelumab mechanism of action: How nasal polyps form and why targeting TSLP can reduce inflammation
WAYPOINT design: 52-week, placebo-controlled Phase III study in 408 patients
Primary endpoints: Mean change in nasal polyp score and nasal-congestion score
Secondary endpoints: Smell recovery, need for rescue surgery or systemic steroids, and quality-of-life measures
Why choice matters: Every CRSwNP patient responds differently, and having more treatment options means more chances to find the right fit
The Itch Review - WAYPOINT Infographic
Listen now! Spotify • Amazon Music • Apple Podcast
Resources about chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, tezepelumab and Type 2 inflammation
About our journal club co-host, Dr, Blaiss
Dr. Michael Blaiss is a board-certified allergist at Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett in Norcross, Georgia, and a clinical professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, where he trains and mentors future allergy and immunology specialists. He has directed pediatric allergy and immunology training programs, led the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology as president and executive medical director, and authored over 180 peer-reviewed articles, demonstrating deep engagement with cutting-edge research. His proven ability to interpret complex trial data and translate evidence into practical guidance makes him the ideal third voice for The Itch Review’s journal club format, helping clinicians and patients alike turn new studies into better care.
Timestamps
Our episode reviews the WAYPOINT Phas III Trial
01:55 What is chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps?
03:40 How are patients treated for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps?
04:45 What is tezepelumab?
06:07 What is the article about? What does a Phase III trial mean?
09:14 What did the study look at?
12:17 What is a head-to-head study?
14:25 What dose of tezepelumab was used, and for how long?
15:50 Primary endpoints
18:48 What is a p-value?
19:34 Infographic overview & summary of findings
22:24 What other biologics are approved for CRSwNP?
24:07 Why it’s important to have more medication options for nasal polyps
