What Allergy and Pulmonary Conditions Can Biologics Treat?
Increased research into allergic diseases has increased our knowledge of why chronic allergic and pulmonary conditions develop and how the diseases progress.
The scientific observations, alongside advances in molecular biology, have contributed to developing a drug class known as biologics derived from living organisms that target specific components of the human immune system to help prevent inflammation.
The use of biologics to treat patients who do not respond well to other, more traditional treatments continues to increase. These are some of the conditions for which biologics have proven to be effective treatment options:
- Moderate to Severe Asthma
- Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
- Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU)
Watch the Video: What Allergy and Pulmonary Conditions Can Biologics Treat?
How Biologics Treat Allergy and Pulmonary Conditions
Allergies and inflammatory pulmonary conditions arise from specific immune responses. In the last two decades, scientific research has revealed the many mechanisms and molecules that drive immune reactions and inflammation.
Biologics work by selectively targeting specific molecules, proteins, and immune response mechanisms to help modify the immune response and disrupt the pathways that lead to inflammation, helping reduce symptom severity and frequency.
Biologics provide life-changing results for patients unable to manage their disease with traditional medications.
Common Biologics for the Treatment of Allergy and Chronic Pulmonary Conditions
Xolair® (Omalizumab)
Xolair is the only FDA-approved biologic medication for treating moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. Xolair is also effective in treating chronic urticaria (hives).
Omalizumab treats allergic asthma by binding with allergy antibodies in the bloodstream and the surface of immune cells. As a result, the medication prevents immune cells from releasing the chemicals responsible for various symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Xolair significantly reduces asthma flare-ups and the need for hospitalization. Additionally, this biologic treatment can help decrease the use of other daily medications to treat asthma symptoms.
Nucala® (Mepolizumab)
FDA approved in 2015, Nucala offers relief for patients battling eosinophilic asthma who cannot control their symptoms with other asthma medications.
Nucala reduces the inflammation caused by an overabundance of eosinophils by targeting a specific molecule that triggers the release of eosinophil cells.
Nucala can significantly reduce the severity of asthma attacks and lower the need for oral steroid medications.
Fasenra® (Benralizumab)
Fasenra is a biologic designed to help severe eosinophilic asthma patients who do not experience symptom improvement with other prescription drugs.
Approved by the FDA in 2017, Fasenra targets and destroys excess eosinophils that cause inflammation, resulting in fewer asthma attacks, improved lung function, and reduced oral steroid medication use.
Cinqair® (Reslizumab)
Approved for use in eosinophilic asthma patients 18 years of age and older whose asthma symptoms see no improvements with other asthma medications.
When used with other medications, CInqair helps prevent severe asthma exacerbations and can improve a patient’s breathing.
Altus Biologics Makes Offering In-Office Biologic Infusion Therapy Possible
At Altus Biologics, we specialize in managing in-office biologic suites. We start by assessing the viability in a practice offering biologic infusion or injection therapies.
We provide all the necessary equipment, supplies, and medications. We continue to manage your inventory to ensure that drugs are always available.
Our staff also handles scheduling, verification of benefits for each patient, and claim submission.
We hire and train infusion nurses to assist with all therapy administrations.
If you have an existing allergy and respiratory practice and are interested in learning more about how you can provide biologic therapies to your patients, give us a call, we would love to help.
