Allergists now use a group of prescription drugs, called biologics, developed to treat difficult to control asthma, some allergic skin conditions, and most recently in the treatment of food allergy in certain adults and children over 1 years of age.
How Do Biologic Treatments Work When Treating Asthma?
For years we have managed and controlled asthma with long-term control medicines to avoid asthma attacks, and quick-relief, or rescue, medicines to treat symptoms once they start. These treatments have typically worked well for most patients with mild to moderate asthma. However, up to 10% of people with this condition, these medicines were often not enough to control symptoms. Allergists now use a group of prescription drugs, called biologics, developed to treat difficult to control asthma.
Biologics target the patient’s immune system to prevent an attack, rather than treating the symptoms. These are cutting edge therapies because they have the potential to be personalized to treat specific cells and/or antibodies which lead to allergic inflammation, and it is the inflammation that makes it hard for some people to breathe. There are biologic treatments available to treat both allergic asthma as well as eosinophilic asthma.
Biologics and Allergic Asthma
Many people with asthma also have allergies. Allergies are responsible for triggering asthma symptoms in more than 75% of children and over half of adults with asthma. When allergens such as pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust trigger asthma symptoms, the diagnosis is allergic asthma. Biologics are the newest tool for patients with difficult to control asthma, but allergists also use allergen immunotherapy when treating allergic asthma. This therapy builds up the patient’s tolerance to an allergen which helps control the allergy symptoms that cause inflammation, and subsequently trigger asthma.
Biologics and Eosinophilic Asthma
Eosinophilic asthma is a type of severe asthma that can cause swelling in the airways of your lungs, making it hard to breathe. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell which is generally associated with allergic-type inflammation. Your allergist will do blood tests to determine which biologic would be the most effective for your persistent uncontrolled asthma.
Biologics for Skin Conditions
Biologics precisely target specific molecules or pathways involved in the inflammatory process of skin conditions. Allergists may use biologic medications for the treatment of certain skin conditions such as Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU), or chronic hives, and moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, or eczema.
Biologics and Food Allergy
In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the biologic Xolair (omalizumab) for IgE mediated food allergy in certain adults and children ages 1 or older for the reduction of allergic reactions, including reducing the risk of anaphylaxis which may occur with an accidental exposure to one or more foods. Xolair is NOT approved for the immediate emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. AA&A physicians recommend shared decision making between you and your allergist to determine if this novel, preventative therapy is the right choice for you or your child.
Are You a Candidate for Biologics?
Consult the experts at Atlanta Allergy & Asthma to see if you are a candidate for a biologic therapy for persistent asthma, certain skin conditions or food allergies.