title: Profile of lebrikizumab and its potential in the treatment of asthma.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-13 has been associated with multiple inflammatory features of asthma. It affects multiple cellular lines in asthma and is a key mediator in airway hyperreactivity and remodeling. Periostin, an extracellular protein, has been used as a surrogate marker of IL-13 activity and has been linked to airway remodeling by inducing subepithelial fibrosis. Lebrikizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets IL-13. Studies have demonstrated promising results with lebrikizumab therapy in asthma with regard to pulmonary function and exacerbation rates, especially on those patients with surrogate markers of T helper cell type 2-driven inflammation (ie, elevated immunoglobulin E levels, eosinophil counts, periostin levels). Lebrikizumab appears to be a safe therapy, but there are ongoing studies evaluating its efficacy and safety profile. Other therapies that target IL-13 and the receptor of IL-4/IL-13 have been studied, but future studies are needed to determine their role in the treatment of asthma.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Diego Jose
authors: DJ
authors: Maselli
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors: Holly
authors: H
authors: Keyt
authors: Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division, Mount Sinai-National Jewish Health Respiratory Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Rogers
keywords: IL-13; asthma; lebrikizumab; periostin; severe asthma