Monoclonal antibodies' potential in treating asthma: An exploration
Asthma, a long-term condition that affects airways, causing inflammation and narrowing, can be managed with various treatments. One such treatment option is the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), lab-grown antibodies designed to mimic specific antibodies and help treat conditions.
Monoclonal antibodies work by interrupting the immune response to an asthma trigger and targeting specific molecules or cell receptors. These treatments are tailored to individual needs, taking into account factors such as age, type of asthma, other health issues, frequency of doses, the development of the mAb, and the type of molecule the mAb binds to.
Common side effects reported include injection site reactions, respiratory symptoms, musculoskeletal complaints, gastrointestinal issues, skin reactions, infections, allergic or allergic-like reactions, and other systemic symptoms. Serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions, new or worsening eye problems, joint problems, rash, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, and more. Close medical monitoring is advised during treatment.
Notably, these mAbs significantly improve asthma control and reduce exacerbations, with blood eosinophil counts dropping and lung function improving after treatment. Examples of mAbs used to treat asthma include Dupilumab, Reslizumab, Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab, and Tezepelumab.
For certain people, a doctor may treat a person with multiple mAbs. For instance, a study found that a person with severe allergic asthma who was treated with both Omalizumab and Mepolizumab showed a marked improvement in the air exhaled over 1 second.
Monoclonal antibodies can provide a treatment option for people whose asthma does not respond to other treatments. They can also help reduce a person's hospitalizations, visits to the emergency room, need for oral steroids, asthma symptoms, dose of other controller medications, and missed school or work days.
Other treatments for asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, immunotherapy, bronchial thermoplasty, and bronchodilators. Immunotherapy involves a doctor injecting a person with increasing doses of an allergen that triggers their asthma, so the immune system can gradually become familiar with the allergen. Bronchial thermoplasty involves a doctor administering radio waves to a person's airways, which helps some smooth muscle from the airway, reducing narrowing. Bronchodilators are medications that help relax and open a person's airways and provide quick, short-acting relief or relief from symptoms for up to 12 hours.
It's important to note that the choice of mAb treatment depends on various factors and should be discussed with a doctor. For example, Dupilumab is a type of mAb used to treat severe and uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma in adults and adolescents over 12 years old, and can also be used alongside other medications to treat asthma in adults and children aged 6 months and older. Reslizumab is used to treat severe and uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma, while Mepolizumab is used to treat eosinophilic asthma in children over 6 years old. Benralizumab is used to treat eosinophilic asthma in children over 12 years old, and Tezepelumab is used alongside other medications to treat asthma in adults and children over 12 years old.
In summary, while monoclonal antibodies can offer significant benefits in managing asthma, it's crucial to be aware of their potential side effects. Close medical monitoring is advised during treatment, and any concerns should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
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