Severe Asthma in School-Age Children: An Updated Appraisal on Biological Options and Challenges in This Age Group

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Severe asthma in children (6-11 years) poses significant clinical challenges.
• Current management strategies often fall short for severe cases.
• Biological therapies represent a paradigm shift in pediatric asthma care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current role and emerging potential of biological therapies for severe pediatric asthma.
• To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and practical considerations of biologic treatments in children aged 6-11 years.
• To explore future directions, including novel agents and biomarkers for personalized treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical trials and observational studies on biological therapies for severe pediatric asthma.
• Analysis of data on efficacy, safety, tolerability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Examination of current guidelines and future research trends.

Main Results:

• Mepolizumab, omalizumab, and dupilumab are effective for T2-high severe asthma in children.
• These biologics demonstrate favorable safety profiles, but monitoring is essential.
• Challenges include cost, adherence, and identifying optimal patient candidates.
• Tezepelumab shows promise for T2-low asthma, expanding treatment options.

Conclusions:

• Biological therapies are increasingly vital for managing severe pediatric asthma, particularly T2-high phenotypes.
• Personalized treatment approaches using biomarkers are crucial for maximizing therapeutic benefit.
• Ongoing research and development are expanding the scope of biologic treatments for pediatric asthma.
• Addressing practical challenges is key to successful implementation of these advanced therapies.