Efficacy and Safety of Dupilumab Versus Omalizumab in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps and Asthma: EVEREST Trial Design

Brazilian guideline for the use of immunobiologicals in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps ‒ 2024 update

INTRODUCTION

Biologics targeting type 2 inflammation have revolutionized the way we treat patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP). Particularly in severe and difficult-to-control cases, these drugs have provided a new reality for these patients, allowing for the effective and safe treatment of extensive diseases that were not completely managed with the typical strategy of surgery and topical medications.

OBJECTIVES

The experience achieved with the approval of these medications by ANVISA for use in CRSwNP and the knowledge obtained regarding outcomes, adverse effects, and the ideal patient profile prompted the update of the previously published guideline, with a detailed review of the most recent scientific literature, the personal experiences of experts, and the adaptation to the reality of the Brazilian healthcare system, both public and private.

RESULTS

We proposed a new eligibility criterion for biologics in patients with CRSwNP based on four pillars of indication: the impact of the disease on the patient's life, whether in the presence of specific symptoms or in overall quality of life; the extent of sinonasal disease; the presence of type 2 comorbidities, considering other associated diseases that may also benefit from anti-T2 biologics, and the presence of biomarkers to define type 2 inflammation, especially those associated with worse disease prognoses.

CONCLUSIONS

This innovative and pioneering method has two major advantages. First, it ensures a comprehensive evaluation of patients; second, it is flexible, as advancements in our understanding of the disease and changes in cost-effectiveness can be addressed by simply adjusting the required score for indication, without the need to modify the entire evaluation scheme.

Biologic Therapies across Nasal Polyp Subtypes

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis is a common inflammatory condition, with subtypes like aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis, and central compartment atopic disease sharing a common type 2 inflammatory pathway. Respiratory biologic therapies have been developed that target type 2 inflammation. In this article, we discuss the use of respiratory biologic therapies for nasal polyposis in general, as well as within the various subtypes of nasal polyps. Further, we discuss future roles of novel biologic therapies targeting type 2 inflammation in nasal polyposis.

Association Between T2-related Comorbidities and Effectiveness of Biologics in Severe Asthma

Rationale: Previous studies investigating the impact of comorbidities on the effectiveness of biologic agents have been relatively small and of short duration and have not compared classes of biologic agents. Objectives: To determine the association between type 2-related comorbidities and biologic agent effectiveness in adults with severe asthma (SA). Methods: This cohort study used International Severe Asthma Registry data from 21 countries (2017-2022) to quantify changes in four outcomes before and after biologic therapy-annual asthma exacerbation rate, FEV1% predicted, asthma control, and long-term oral corticosteroid daily dose-in patients with or without allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps (NPs), NPs, or eczema/atopic dermatitis. Measurements and Main Results: Of 1,765 patients, 1,257, 421, and 87 initiated anti-IL-5/5 receptor, anti-IgE, and anti-IL-4/13 therapies, respectively. In general, pre- versus post-biologic therapy improvements were noted in all four asthma outcomes assessed, irrespective of comorbidity status. However, patients with comorbid CRS with or without NPs experienced 23% fewer exacerbations per year (95% CI, 10-35%; P < 0.001) and had 59% higher odds of better post-biologic therapy asthma control (95% CI, 26-102%; P < 0.001) than those without CRS with or without NPs. Similar estimates were noted for those with comorbid NPs: 22% fewer exacerbations and 56% higher odds of better post-biologic therapy control. Patients with SA and CRS with or without NPs had an additional FEV1% predicted improvement of 3.2% (95% CI, 1.0-5.3; P = 0.004), a trend that was also noted in those with comorbid NPs. The presence of allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis was not associated with post-biologic therapy effect for any outcome assessed. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of systematic comorbidity evaluation. The presence of CRS with or without NPs or NPs alone may be considered a predictor of the effectiveness of biologic agents in patients with SA.

Allergic Diseases and Childhood Obesity: A Detrimental Link?

Several epidemiological studies have described childhood obesity as a risk factor for atopic disease, particularly asthma. At the same time, this association seems to be more conflicting for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria. This article aims to deepen the possibility of a relationship between childhood obesity and allergic diseases. As regards asthma, the mechanical and inflammatory effects of obesity can lead to its development. In addition, excess adiposity is associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines, leading to low-grade systemic inflammation and an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and chronic urticaria also seem to be related to this state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation typical of obese children. Vitamin D deficiency appears to play a role in allergic rhinitis, while dyslipidemia and skin barrier defects could explain the link between obesity and atopic dermatitis. Starting from this evidence, it becomes of fundamental importance to act on body weight control to achieve general and allergic health, disentangling the detrimental link between obesity allergic diseases and childhood obesity. Further studies on the association between adiposity and atopy are needed, confirming the biologically active role of fat tissue in the development of allergic diseases and exploring the possibility of new therapeutic strategies.

Dupilumab in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: current status, challenges, and future perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is a common heterogeneous disease that mainly manifests as chronic inflammation of the sinus mucosa. The effect of conventional treatments for CRSwNP, such as oral corticosteroids, intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) and polypectomy, is not always obvious, and postoperative recurrence is common in some CRSwNP patients. In recent years, some biologics have been shown to be very effective in treating refractory CRSwNP, of which dupilumab has attracted much attention as the first monoclonal drug approved to treat nasal polyps.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we discuss the research status of dupilumab in treatment of CRSwNP and how dupilumab differs from other treatment methods.

EXPERT OPINION

The European Union and United States have approved dupilumab as the first biological agent for treatment of CRSwNP. Dupilumab can improve symptoms of nasal congestion or obstruction, nasal secretion, and olfactory loss in patients with CRSwNP. It can also improve a patient's health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and reduce the need for systemic corticosteroids and nasal polyp surgery. While subcutaneous injection of dupilumab is a novel method for treating CRSwNP, it is still necessary to reasonably evaluate which patients might benefit most from biological therapy.

The Role of Biologics in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

The last decade has seen significant developments in the field of biologics for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Translational research borne from knowledge of the pathophysiology of type 2 inflammatory disease of the lower airways and the strong association with CRSwNP, has led to major therapeutic breakthroughs, with phase 3 trials of four biologics completed at the time of writing, and more underway. This article explores the evidence behind biologics for CRSwNP, the guidance on their use and the health economic factors influencing their position amongst the established therapeutic options for this common chronic condition.

Baseline Characteristics of Patients Enrolled in Clinical Trials of Biologics for Severe Asthma as Potential Predictors of Outcomes

(1) Background: Over the past 20 years, monoclonal antibodies have been developed for the treatment of severe asthma, with numerous randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted to define their safety and efficacy. The growing availability of biologics, which until now have only been available for T2-high asthma, has been further enriched by the arrival of tezepelumab. (2) Methods: This review aims to evaluate the baseline characteristics of patients enrolled in RCTs of biologics for severe asthma to understand how they could potentially predict outcomes and how they can help differentiate between available options. (3) Results: The studies reviewed demonstrated that all biologic agents are effective in improving asthma control, especially with regard to reducing exacerbation rates and OCS use. As we have seen, in this regard, there are few data on omalizumab and none yet on tezepelumab. In analysing exacerbations and average doses of OCSs, pivotal studies on benralizumab have enrolled more seriously ill patients. Secondary outcomes, such as improvement in lung function and quality of life, showed better results-especially for dupilumab and tezepelumab. (4) Conclusion: Biologics are all effective, albeit with important differences. What fundamentally guides the choice is the patient's clinical history, the endotype represented by biomarkers (especially blood eosinophils), and comorbidities (especially nasal polyposis).

Therapeutical Targets in Allergic Inflammation

From the discovery of IgE to the in-depth characterization of Th2 cells and ILC2, allergic inflammation has been extensively addressed to find potential therapeutical targets. To date, omalizumab, an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, and dupilumab, an anti-IL-4 receptor α monoclonal antibody, represent two pillars of biologic therapy of allergic inflammation. Their increasing indications and long-term follow-up studies are shaping the many different faces of allergy. At the same time, their limitations are showing the intricate pathogenesis of allergic diseases.