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Updated: May 3, 2026
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Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
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Biologic targeted therapy in allergic asthma
Jeffrey B Bice1, Evelyn Leechawengwongs2, Anthony Montanaro2
1School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Summary
Biologic therapies for asthma show promise, with many drugs in development. However, asthma
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology and immunology
- Pharmacology and drug development
Background:
- Asthma affects over 300 million people globally, with 5-10% experiencing severe, uncontrolled disease.
- The development of targeted biologic therapies for asthma has accelerated since 2003.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current biologic targeted therapies for asthma, focusing on structure, function, clinical utility, and safety.
- To assess the landscape of novel biologic agents under investigation.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of PubMed and OVID databases (June-November 2013).
- Selection of studies based on impact, relevance, and clinical significance.
- Emphasis on therapies targeting IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TNF-α, CRTh2, and TLRs 7/9.
Main Results:
- Numerous biologic asthma therapies are in clinical trials and development, indicating a promising future.
- Despite setbacks, research continues to unravel asthma's complex pathophysiology.
- The goal is to personalize biologic therapies based on individual asthma phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Biologic therapies for asthma have generated anticipation but often yielded disappointing results.
- Asthma is a complex syndrome with diverse genotypes and phenotypes, suggesting no single "magic bullet" cure.
- Further research is needed to develop effective, tailored biologic treatments for severe asthma.
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