Ep. 87 - What biologic therapies are available for allergic conditions?
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Sanofi-Regeneron 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.
LISTEN TO EPISODE 87:
Are you curious about how biologic medications are transforming the treatment of asthma, eczema, allergies, and more?
Dr. Perdita Permaul joins Dr. Gupta and Kortney to discuss the available biologic medications for allergic conditions. We walk through the eight biologics currently available for allergic diseases, explaining how these medications target different parts of the immune system to treat allergic conditions more effectively than traditional medications.
Dr. Permaul explains how biologics have evolved since 2003 and how they are changing the way allergic conditions are treated. She also explains why some of the biologics treat multiple diseases, whereas some are only approved for one.
What we cover in this episode about available biologics for allergic conditions:
How biologics work for allergic conditions: We unpack how biologic medications target specific parts of the immune system, reducing inflammation and improving quality of life for patients with allergic diseases.
History and evolution of biologics: Dr. Permaul walks us through the timeline of biologics, starting with Xolair in 2003 and how these treatments have expanded to target other conditions over time.
Which biologics treat which conditions: From asthma and eczema to food allergies and nasal polyps, we break down which biologics are available and how they help patients with allergic conditions.
Future of biologics: Dr. Permaul discusses the potential of biologics to be used for more conditions in the future, including ongoing research into food allergy treatments.
About our biologics expert - Dr. Perdita Permaul
Dr. Perdita Permaul is the Section Chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Her research focuses on childhood asthma and the impact of environmental factors on allergic conditions. Dr. Permaul is committed to advancing treatment options for children with asthma and other allergic diseases through clinical research and cutting-edge therapies like biologics.
More resources about biologic therapies and the conditions they treat:
Other episodes about biologic medicine:
Biologics Cheat Sheet
Below is a list of the 8 biologics discussed in this episode. We have briefly outlined their mechanism of action along with the approved conditions and ages the drug is available for presecription.
Omalizumab (Xolair)
Xolair works by binding to IgE to prevent allergic reactions. It has since been approved for chronic hives, nasal polyps, and food allergies.
Allergic asthma: 6+
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (hives): 12+
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP): 18+
Food allergies:1+
Mepolizumab (Nucala)
Targets and blocks interleukin-5 (IL-5) play a key role in the activation and priming of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that causes inflammation in asthma.
Eosinophilic Asthma: 6+
CRSwNP: 18+
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): 18+
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: ≥6 months
Reslizumab (Cinqair)
Targets and blocks interleukin-5 (IL-5).
Eosinophilic asthma: 18
Benralizumab (Fasenra)
Binds to the IL-5 receptor, preventing eosinophils from growing and causing inflammation.
Eosinophilic asthma: 6+
(EGPA): 18+
Dupilumab (Dupixent)
Targets and blocks IL-4 and IL-13 to reduce inflammation
Asthma: 6+
Atopic Dermatitis: 6 months+
CRSwNP: 18+
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): 1+ (> 33 lbs)
Approved for prurigo nodularis (PN): 18+
Tezepelumab (Tezspire)
Blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP).
Asthma: 12+
Tralokinumab (Adbry, Adtralza)
Targets and neutralizes interleukin-13 (IL-13).
Atopic dermatitis: 12+
Lebrikizumab (Ebglyss)
Targets and neutralizes interleukin-13 (IL-13).
Atopic dermatitis: 12+ (> 40 lbs)
Timestamps
The 8 biologics approved for allergic conditions - episode timestamps
01:56 Introduction of Dr. Permaul
03:13 Conditions that Omalizumab (Xolair) is approved for
04:21 How Omalizumab (Xolair) works
06:42 How Mepolizumab (Nucala) works
08:05 Conditions that Mepolizumab (Nucala) is approved for
09:13 How some biologics get approval for multiple conditions
12:27 Clinical trials involving pediatric patients
13:48 How Reslizumab (Cinqair) works, the approved condition, and how it is administered
15:39 How Benralizumab (Fasenra) works
17:26 Condition that Benralizumab (Fasenra) is approved for
18:02 How Dupilumab (Dupixent) works and the conditions it is approved for
20:03 How Tezepelumab (Tezspire) works and the conditions it is approved for
22:09 How Tralokinumab (Adbry) works and the conditions it is approved for
22:55 Why choose a biologic that only targets one interleukin?
23:58 Why it’s beneficial to have multiple biologic options for patients
26:26 How Lebrikizumab (Ebglyss) works and the conditions it is approved for
