Biologics in asthma: difficulties and drawbacks.
BACKGROUND
Biologics have become an increasingly important class of therapeutic compounds in a variety of immune and/or inflammatory diseases. Patients with severe uncontrolled asthma represent a significant unmet need.


METHODS
This review gives some examples of the complex use of biologics in asthma.


CONCLUSIONS
It is very difficult to predict the efficacy of biologics in severe asthma and only one monoclonal antibody to date has been found to be effective and approved by both the FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for the treatment of difficult allergic asthma. New pathways may prove to be of importance for the development of biologics. Biologics are not devoid of side effects, which can, although not always, be predicted from their mechanism of action. These include hypersensitivity reactions, which need to be better understood to prevent and control them. Finally, biologics should be cost-effective. This review gives some examples of the complex use of biologics in asthma.
Bousquet
Jean
J
Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Service des Maladies Respiratoires, 34295- Montpellier, Cedex 05, France. jean.bousquet@inserm.fr
Chiron
Raphael
R
Humbert
Marc
M
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001688:Biological Products