Dupilumab improves outcomes in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps irrespective of gender: results from the SINUS-52 trial.

Objectives: This post hoc analysis assessed disease characteristics and response to dupilumab treatment in male and female patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (SINUS-52 study; NCT02898454). Methods: Patients received dupilumab 300 mg or placebo every 2 weeks for 52 weeks on background intranasal corticosteroids. Efficacy was assessed through Week 52 using nasal polyp score (NPS), nasal congestion/obstruction score, loss of smell score and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test score. Disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Results: The analysis included 192 male and 111 female patients. Female patients had higher mean SNOT-22 total score (56.6 vs. 49.1, P < 0.01) and more coexisting asthma (78.4% vs. 46.4%, P < 0.0001) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (NSAID-ERD) (38.7% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.0001) than male patients, but other baseline characteristics were similar. Dupilumab significantly improved CRSwNP outcomes vs. placebo at Week 52, regardless of gender: least squares mean differences (95% confidence interval) for NPS were -2.33 (-2.80, -1.86) in male and -2.54 (-3.18, -1.90) in female patients (both P < 0.0001 vs. placebo), and for SNOT-22 were -19.2 (-24.1, -14.2) in male and -24.4 (-31.5, -17.3) in female patients (both P < 0.0001 vs. placebo). There were no significant efficacy-by-gender interactions. Conclusion: Female patients had greater asthma, NSAID-ERD and HRQoL burden at baseline than male patients. Dupilumab treatment significantly improved objective and subjective outcomes compared with placebo, irrespective of gender.

Dupilumab Reduces Asthma Disease Burden and Recurrent SCS Use in Patients with CRSwNP and Coexisting Asthma.

Purpose: Dupilumab significantly reduced the requirement for systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Patients with CRSwNP and coexisting asthma typically have a higher disease burden and have more difficulty in managing disease. Here, we report an analysis of asthma outcomes and SCS use in patients with CRSwNP and coexisting asthma. Patients and Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of the randomized, placebo-controlled SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 studies (NCT02912468/NCT02898454) in patients with severe CRSwNP and coexisting asthma (patient self-reported) from the pooled intention-to-treat population randomized to dupilumab 300 mg every 2 weeks or placebo. On-treatment SCS use was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), percent predicted FEV1, and the 6-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-6) were assessed at baseline and Week 24 (pooled SINUS-24/52) in patients with/without history of asthma exacerbation or prior SCS use. Results: Of 337 patients with coexisting asthma, 88 (26%) required on-treatment SCS use. The requirement for on-treatment SCS use for any reason was significantly lower with dupilumab (20/167 patients; 12%) vs placebo (68/170; 40%); hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.248 (0.150-0.409); p < 0.0001. The most frequent reasons for SCS use were nasal polyps (dupilumab 3% and placebo 27%) and asthma (2% and 9%, respectively). FEV1, percent predicted FEV1, and ACQ-6 were all significantly improved at Week 24 with dupilumab vs placebo irrespective of history of asthma exacerbation or prior SCS use (all p < 0.01). Conclusion: Dupilumab significantly reduced the requirement for SCS and improved asthma outcomes irrespective of history of asthma exacerbation or prior SCS use vs placebo in patients with CRSwNP and coexisting asthma, demonstrating concomitant reduction of SCS use and asthma disease burden in these patients.

Prevalence of type 2 inflammatory signatures and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps from two phase 3 clinical trials: SINUS-24 and SINUS-52.

BACKGROUND: This post hoc analysis of the international SINUS-24/-52 trials (NCT02912468/NCT02898454) aimed to assess dupilumab efficacy in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) according to different definitions of type 2 inflammatory signature. METHODS: Six definitions of type 2 inflammation were used: ≥150 eosinophils/µL or total immunoglobulin E (IgE) ≥100 IU/mL with a coexisting type 2 condition; ≥150 eosinophils/µL or total IgE ≥100 IU/mL; ≥150 eosinophils/µL; ≥250 eosinophils/µL or total IgE ≥100 IU/mL; coexisting asthma or ≥300 eosinophils/µL; presence of a coexisting type 2 condition. Odds ratios (ORs; dupilumab vs. placebo) for achieving clinically meaningful improvement (≥1 point) from baseline to week 24 (pooled SINUS-24/-52) and week 52 (SINUS-52) were calculated for nasal polyp score (NPS; range 0-8), nasal congestion/obstruction score (NC; 0-3), and loss of smell score (LoS; 0-3). RESULTS: At baseline (n = 724), most patients displayed a type 2 inflammatory signature across definitions (64.2%-95.3%). At week 24, ORs for clinically meaningful improvement ranged from 11.9 to 14.9 for NPS across type 2 definitions, 6.5-9.6 for NC, and 12.2-17.8 for LoS (all p < 0.0001). OR ranges were similar or greater at week 52: 19.0-36.6, 7.6-12.1, and 9.2-33.5, respectively (all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Most patients with CRSwNP in the SINUS study had type 2 inflammation. Dupilumab demonstrated robust efficacy across definitions of type 2 inflammation, consistent with its profile as an inhibitor of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signaling, key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation in CRSwNP. KEY POINTS: This study assessed type 2 inflammation prevalence and dupilumab efficacy in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps according to algorithm-defined type 2 inflammation Dupilumab efficacy was similar across all type 2 definitions.

Impact of Dupilumab on Sinonasal Symptoms and Outcomes in Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the severity of the top 5 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) items ranked most important by patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), the effect of dupilumab on these items, and their association with objective disease measures. STUDY DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of the SINUS-24 (NCT02912468) and SINUS-52 (NCT02898454) clinical trials. SETTING: Multinational, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies. METHODS: Patients ranked the SNOT-22 items most affecting their health at baseline. Item symptom severity (0-5 scale) was assessed at baseline, Week 24 (W24), and Week 52 (W52). Changes in nasal polyps score (NPS) and Lund-Mackay (LMK) scores were assessed in patients with/without SNOT-22 items improvements of at least 1 severity group point at W24 and W52. RESULTS: The SNOT-22 items ranked most important at baseline were "decreased sense of smell/taste" (87% of patients), followed by "nasal blockage" (82%), "postnasal discharge" (40%), "thick nasal discharge" (37%), and "wake up at night" (26%); 82%, 61%, 32%, 40%, and 26% of patients reported severe symptoms (score 4 or 5) for these items, respectively. Dupilumab improved score severity for all top 5 items versus placebo at W24 and W52. Improvements in NPS and LMK scores were numerically greater in patients with improvements in the SNOT-22 top 5 items. CONCLUSION: Loss of smell/taste was ranked as the most important symptom by patients with CRSwNP. Dupilumab reduced the severity of the top 5 most important SNOT-22 items versus placebo, in parallel with improvements in objective disease measures. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: SINUS-24 and SINUS-52 clinical trials were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT02912468 and NCT02898454, respectively.

Dupilumab efficacy in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps with and without allergic rhinitis.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a predominantly type 2 inflammatory disease, which often coexists with allergic rhinitis (AR). Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, blocks the shared receptor component for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation. Objective: This post hoc analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe CRSwNP with or without coexisting AR in the pooled phase III SINUS-24/SINUS-52 studies. Methods: Patients randomized to subcutaneous dupilumab 300 mg (n = 438) or placebo (n = 286) every 2 weeks for 24 (SINUS-24) or 52 weeks (SINUS-52) were analyzed. Pooled data from the first 24 weeks of treatment are presented. Changes from baseline in disease outcome measures and biomarker levels were analyzed by the patient-reported history of AR status. Results: Overall, 338 of 724 patients (46.7%) had AR. Baseline characteristics were generally similar between patients with and those without AR. Dupilumab significantly improved objective and patient-reported measures of CRSwNP, including loss of smell, and reduced systemic and nasal biomarker levels versus placebo at week 24, with no significant treatment difference between patients with and those without AR. Use of systemic corticosteroids and/or sinonasal surgery during treatment was significantly reduced with dupilumab versus placebo, irrespective of AR status (p ≤ 0.0029). The safety profile of dupilumab was similar in patients with and in patients without AR. Conclusion: Dupilumab demonstrated significant improvements in both clinical end points and symptom scores versus placebo in patients with severe CRSwNP, irrespective of comorbid AR status, a common subgroup of patients often associated with poorer CRSwNP outcomes. Clinical trials NCT02912468 (SINUS-24) and NCT02898454 (SINUS-52), www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Health-Related Quality of Life Impairment Among Patients with Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps in the SINUS-24 Trial.

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a predominantly type 2 inflammatory disease with a high symptom burden. Data are lacking on the comparative health status of patients with CRSwNP. This analysis compared baseline physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and overall health status of patients with severe CRSwNP enrolled in a Phase 3 clinical trial with general population norms and with other chronic diseases. Methods: In this post hoc cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the SINUS-24 study (NCT02912468), HRQoL was measured using the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire and general health status was measured using the EuroQol-5 Dimension visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). Analyses included the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and subgroups defined by prior sinonasal surgery, systemic corticosteroid use, and coexisting asthma or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (NSAID-ERD). Scores were compared with published values for population norms (50 for SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), 70.4-83.3 for EQ-VAS) and for rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. Results: In the ITT population (n=276), mean SF-36 physical component summary (PCS), SF-36 mental component summary (MCS), and EQ-VAS scores were below general population norms (46.4, 48.6, and 66.0, respectively). Mean SF-36 PCS and EQ-VAS scores were below population norms across all subgroups; mean SF-36 MCS scores were below the population norm in all subgroups except no prior surgery. SF-36 PCS and MCS scores from SINUS-24 were generally similar to other chronic diseases, except SF-36 PCS which was lower in rheumatoid arthritis. EQ-VAS scores in SINUS-24 were lower than in other chronic diseases. HRQoL scores weakly correlated with objective measures of disease severity. Conclusion: In patients with severe CRSwNP, including those with coexisting asthma/NSAID-ERD, HRQoL was worse than population norms and as burdensome as diseases such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Long-term efficacy of dupilumab in asthma with or without chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Coexisting chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRS-NPs) substantially increases the disease burden of asthma. Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, has established efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in asthma and CRS with NP. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term dupilumab efficacy in TRAVERSE (NCT02134028) patients with uncontrolled, moderate-to-severe (QUEST) or oral corticosteroid (OCS)-dependent (VENTURE) asthma with or without coexisting CRS-NP. METHODS: In TRAVERSE, 317 of 1530 (21%) QUEST and 61 of 187 (48%) VENTURE patients had self-reported CRS-NP; they received subcutaneous 300 mg dupilumab every 2 weeks up to 96 weeks. Patients were categorized by parent study treatment group (placebo/dupilumab, dupilumab/dupilumab). End points included annualized asthma exacerbation rates and mean change from parent study baseline in prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Asthma Control Questionnaire 5 score, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score, and OCS dose. RESULTS: Patients with coexisting CRS-NP had higher OCS dose and a history of more exacerbations. Concluding TRAVERSE, exacerbation rates decreased from 2.39 to 0.32 and 2.32 to 0.35 in dupilumab/dupilumab and 2.36 to 0.41 and 2.36 to 0.45 in placebo/dupilumab by week 96 from QUEST and VENTURE baselines, respectively. Non-CRS-NP results were similar. Improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second, Asthma Control Questionnaire 5 score, and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score during parent studies were maintained in TRAVERSE; placebo/dupilumab patients achieved similar improvements to dupilumab/dupilumab by week 48. By week 96, 71% and 39% of OCS-dependent patients with CRS-NP and 83% and 47% without CRS-NP treated with dupilumab/dupilumab and placebo/dupilumab, respectively, stopped OCS. CONCLUSION: Long-term dupilumab efficacy was maintained in patients with asthma with or without self-reported coexisting CRS-NP, including OCS-sparing effects observed in OCS-dependent severe asthma. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT02528214, NCT02414854, and NCT02134028.

AROMA: real-world global registry of dupilumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a predominantly type 2 inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks the shared receptor component for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, which are key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation. In clinical trials, dupilumab significantly improved objective and patient-reported measures of CRSwNP versus placebo and was well tolerated. Dupilumab is approved in the European Union, USA and Japan as add-on maintenance treatment for adults with inadequately controlled CRSwNP. There exists an important evidence gap between efficacy and effectiveness data for dupilumab in severe CRSwNP. In order to bridge this gap, the AROMA prospective global registry (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04959448) was established. AROMA will collect long-term data on the utilisation, effectiveness and safety of dupilumab for CRSwNP treatment in real-world clinical practice. AROMA will enrol approximately 1000 adults starting dupilumab for severe CRSwNP across 120 global sites. Baseline data will include patient demographics, medical/surgical history and presence of type 2 comorbidities. Effectiveness outcome assessments will include objective measures of CRSwNP assessed as part of routine clinical care and various patient-reported questionnaires. Treatment patterns, concomitant medications and long-term safety will also be recorded. Results from AROMA, the first prospective, real-world, global registry to characterise patients with severe CRSwNP starting dupilumab, will provide evidence on the real impact of dupilumab in patients with CRSwNP and complement the data from randomised clinical trials. The registry will also provide evidence on disease progression in patients with CRSwNP, including those with coexisting diseases.

Dupilumab efficacy in subgroups of type 2 asthma with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids at baseline.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dupilumab blocks the shared receptor component for interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13, key and central drivers of type 2 inflammation in multiple diseases. In phase 3 QUEST (NCT02414854), add-on dupilumab 200 and 300 mg every 2 weeks reduced severe exacerbations, improved pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and was generally well tolerated in patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. This post hoc analysis assessed dupilumab efficacy in subpopulations of patients with type 2 asthma and high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). METHODS: Adjusted annualized severe exacerbation rates over the treatment period, least squares (LS) mean change from baseline at Week 12 in pre-bronchodilator FEV1, and LS mean change from baseline at Week 24 in 5-item Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5) scores were analyzed in subgroups of patients receiving high-dose (>500 µg) ICS with baseline blood eosinophils ≥150 cells/µL and/or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ≥25 ppb. Subgroups included allergic phenotype (with/without), comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis and/or nasal polyposis (with/without), pre-bronchodilator FEV1/forced vital capacity (<70%/≥70%), blood eosinophil level, exacerbation history, median baseline pre-bronchodilator FEV1, age at asthma onset (≤40/>40 years), median FEV1 reversibility, body mass index (<30/≥30 kg/m2), and sex. RESULTS: Dupilumab vs placebo reduced exacerbations and improved pre-bronchodilator FEV1 at Week 12 and ACQ-5 at Week 24 across subgroups of patients with type 2 asthma and high-dose ICS at baseline. Dupilumab was also effective in patients receiving medium-dose ICS. CONCLUSION: Dupilumab reduced severe exacerbations and improved lung function and asthma control in subgroups of patients with type 2 asthma and high-dose ICS at baseline. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02414854.

Improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life with Dupilumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Asthma with Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis with/without Nasal Polyps: An Analysis of the QUEST Study.

Patients with asthma frequently have comorbid chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps, increasing disease burden and complicating treatment. These post hoc analyses investigated disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and general health status in the randomized, placebo-controlled QUEST study (NCT02414854) in patients treated with dupilumab for moderate-to-severe asthma with comorbid CRS. Patients received 300 mg of dupilumab or placebo every 2 weeks for 52 weeks. CRS HRQoL was assessed by the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22; items scored 0-5). The 22 items are categorized into 5 domains (nasal, ear/facial, sleep, function, and emotion), and patients report the top 5 most important items affecting their health. General health status was assessed by Euro-QoL visual analog scale (EQ-VAS). Of 1902 patients, 382 (20.1%) self-reported comorbid CRS; 193 patients receiving dupilumab 300 mg q2w or matched placebo were included in this analysis. At baseline, the most impacted SNOT-22 domain was nasal, and general health status was below population norms. Patients rated "decreased sense of taste/smell," "nasal blockage," "cough," "reduced productivity," and "wake up tired" as the 5 most important SNOT-22 items affecting their health. Percentage change from baseline in SNOT-22 total score was significantly greater for dupilumab vs placebo at Weeks 24, 36, and 52 (all p < 0.05). Improvements from baseline were significantly greater for dupilumab vs placebo at Week 52 for all SNOT-22 domains (p < 0.05), except emotion. At Week 52, significant changes from baseline with dupilumab vs placebo were observed for all 5 most important SNOT-22 items affecting their health (all p < 0.05). EQ-VAS was significantly improved with dupilumab vs placebo by Week 12, with improvements sustained to Week 52 (all p < 0.01). In patients with moderate-to-severe asthma who self-reported comorbid CRS, dupilumab treatment vs placebo improved CRS-specific HRQoL and general health status.

Effect of Dupilumab on Blood Eosinophil Counts in Patients With Asthma, Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps, Atopic Dermatitis, or Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Transient increases in blood eosinophil counts have been observed in dupilumab clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: To assess eosinophil counts and eosinophilia-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) across 11 dupilumab clinical trials, comparing adult and adolescent patients with asthma and adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), atopic dermatitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis. METHODS: Eosinophil counts, rates of eosinophilia-related TEAEs or treatment-emergent eosinophilia (>1,500 cells/µL), discontinuations, clinical symptoms, and efficacy in patients with asthma or CRSwNP with treatment-emergent eosinophilia are presented. RESULTS: Transient increases in mean eosinophil counts were observed in dupilumab-treated patients with asthma (mean range across studies at baseline: 349-370 cells/µL; week 4: 515-578 cells/µL), CRSwNP (baseline: 440-448 cells/µL; week 16: 595 cells/µL), and atopic dermatitis (baseline: 434-600 cells/µL; week 4: 410-710 cells/µL), followed by a decline starting by week 24 to baseline or lower. No increases were seen in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (baseline: 310 cells/µL; week 4: 230 cells/µL). In dupilumab-treated patients across all studies, rates of eosinophilia TEAEs were 0% to 13.6%. Clinical symptoms associated with increased eosinophils were rare (seven of 4,666 dupilumab-treated patients, including six cases of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis) and occurred only in patients with asthma or CRSwNP. Eosinophilia was not associated with reduced dupilumab efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Transient increases in eosinophil counts with dupilumab treatment did not affect efficacy and were rarely of clinical consequence. It remains important for physicians to base judgment on individual patient history and baseline eosinophil counts and to be alert to hypereosinophilic symptoms.

Rapid and Continuing Improvements in Nasal Symptoms with Dupilumab in Patients with Severe CRSwNP.

Purpose: In the phase 3 SINUS-24 (NCT02912468) and SINUS-52 (NCT02898454) studies in adults with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), dupilumab significantly improved the co-primary endpoints of change from baseline to Week 24 in nasal polyp score (NPS) and nasal congestion/obstruction (NC) vs placebo on background intranasal corticosteroids (standard of care [SOC]). This post hoc analysis of SINUS-24/-52 investigated the direction and magnitude of within-patient change in these endpoints over time. Methods: NPS (scale 0-8) was assessed at Weeks 4, 8, 16, 24, 40, and 52 in SINUS-52 and Weeks 8, 16, and 24 in SINUS-24. Daily patient-reported NC scores (0 [no symptoms]-3 [severe symptoms]) were averaged over 28 days. Within-patient changes from baseline were assessed through Week 24 in pooled SINUS-24/-52 (n = 438/286 dupilumab/SOC) and through Week 52 in SINUS-52 (n = 150/153). Results: In SINUS-52, NPS improved in 70.0% of dupilumab-treated patients at Week 4 vs 31.8% with SOC (odds ratio [OR] 5.2 [95% confidence interval 3.1-8.8]) and 78.7% vs 28.2% at Week 52 (OR 10.6 [6.0-18.7]) (all p < 0.0001). NC improved in 73.3% of dupilumab-treated patients at Week 4 vs 46.7% with SOC (OR 3.2 [2.0-5.3]) and 86.9% vs 50.7% at Week 52 (OR 6.4 [3.5-11.5]) (all p < 0.0001). Clinically meaningful (≥1 point) improvements in NPS occurred in 55.7% and 72.3% of dupilumab-treated patients at Weeks 4 and 52, respectively, vs 16.9% and 16.2% with SOC. Clinically meaningful (≥1 point) improvements in NC occurred in 16.7% and 67.6% of dupilumab-treated patients at Weeks 4 and 52, respectively, vs 3.9% and 20.8% with SOC. At Week 52, NPS worsening from baseline was observed in 5.7% of dupilumab-treated patients vs 40.1% with SOC and NC worsening in 2.1% vs 20.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Dupilumab provided rapid, continuing, and clinically relevant improvements over time in NPS and NC in most patients with severe CRSwNP in the SINUS studies.

Dupilumab Demonstrates Rapid Onset of Response Across Three Type 2 Inflammatory Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 inflammatory diseases often coexist in patients. Dupilumab targets type 2 inflammation and has demonstrated treatment benefits in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) with an acceptable safety profile. OBJECTIVE: This post hoc analysis across five phase 3 studies in patients with moderate to severe AD or asthma, or severe CRSwNP, evaluated time of onset and duration of the treatment response. METHODS: Patients received subcutaneous dupilumab 200/300 mg or placebo. Assessments included the Eczema Area and Severity Index, Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, and Dermatology Life Quality Index in AD; pre-bronchodilator FEV1, daily morning peak expiratory flow, and symptom scores in asthma; and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, daily nasal congestion, and loss of smell scores in CRSwNP. RESULTS: At week 2 after the initiation of dupilumab versus placebo, 67.8% versus 36.5% of AD patients achieved a clinically meaningful benefit (Eczema Area and Severity Index: 50% or greater improvement; Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale: 3 point or greater improvement; or Dermatology Life Quality Index: 4 point or greater improvement) (P < .001). Moreover, 61.6% versus 39.9% of asthma patients achieved improvements in pre-bronchodilator FEV1 of 100 mL or greater and 48.8% versus 26.3% achieved 200 mL or greater improvement (both P < .001); 33.2% versus 5.6% of CRSwNP patients regained a sense of smell (P < .001). Treatment effects further improved or were sustained to the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically meaningful responses were achieved rapidly after the first dupilumab dose in AD, asthma, or CRSwNP and were sustained throughout treatment (see Video in this article's Online Repository at www.jaci-inpractice.org).

Respiratory Infections and Anti-Infective Medication Use From Phase 3 Dupilumab Respiratory Studies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with asthma and/or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) experience recurrent respiratory tract infections. Dupilumab targets type 2 inflammation, a common underlying pathophysiology of both conditions, with proven efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To examine investigator-reported respiratory infection adverse events and anti-infective medication use with dupilumab versus placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma or severe CRSwNP. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of the pivotal phase 3 trials LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST (NCT02414854) and LIBERTY NP SINUS-52 (NCT02898454) in moderate-to-severe asthma and severe CRSwNP, respectively. RESULTS: Investigator-reported respiratory infection events occurred at a significantly lower incidence in patients treated with dupilumab versus placebo, in both asthma (22% lower; P < .0001; 95% CI 0.71-0.85) and CRSwNP (38% lower; P <.0001; 95% CI 0.51-0.75). Reported upper and lower respiratory tract infection events were numerically or significantly lower in dupilumab-treated patients in both conditions, as were the number of patients experiencing investigator-reported infections. Significantly less systemic anti-infective medication use occurred in dupilumab versus placebo in asthma (24% lower; P < .0001; 95% CI 0.70-0.83) and CRSwNP patients (49% lower; P < .0001; 95% CI 0.43-0.61), and significantly fewer dupilumab-treated patients used anti-infective medications. When examined by season and month, the data indicated that investigator-reported respiratory infections and anti-infective medication use were less frequent in dupilumab- versus placebo-treated patients throughout the calendar year. CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab treatment was associated with a reduced incidence of investigator-reported respiratory infections in patients with moderate-to-severe asthma or severe CRSwNP. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism behind this reduction.

Association Between a Type 2 Inflammatory Disease Burden Score and Outcomes Among Patients with Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although prevalence of co-existing type 2 inflammatory diseases (cT2) in asthma patients has been reported, limited data exist regarding their impact on asthma outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of cT2 burden on asthma outcomes and to evaluate patterns of clustering of cT2 in a real-world setting. METHODS: From medical records of 4.5 million enrollees in 650 primary care practices in the UK (January 2010-December 2017), patients with ≥1 diagnosis code for asthma at any time pre-index date (date of most recent asthma-related medical encounter) and ≥2 asthma-related prescriptions during the year before index date were categorized into the Global Initiative of Asthma (GINA) guideline severity steps. A cT2 burden score (range 0-9) was assigned based on the total number of co-existing conditions (allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, anaphylaxis, eczema/atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, food allergy, nasal polyps, or urticaria) for which patients received a medical diagnosis. Multivariate regression models evaluated associations between cT2 burden score and asthma exacerbations and asthma control. Factor analysis was performed to assess which cT2 comorbidities were correlated and exhibited patterns of clustering. RESULTS: Overall, 245,893 patients with asthma were included (mean [SD] age 44.8 [22.1] years; 43.8% male). Between 55% (GINA step 1) and 60% (GINA step 5) of asthma patients had a medical diagnosis for ≥1 other type2dx. Patients with increased cT2 burden were significantly more likely to experience asthma exacerbations and less likely to achieve asthma control. CONCLUSION: Asthma patients with a higher cumulative cT2 burden score were more likely to experience worse asthma outcomes than those without any cT2 (burden score of 0).

Understanding the key issues in the treatment of uncontrolled persistent asthma with type 2 inflammation.

Asthma is a complex respiratory disease that varies in severity and response to treatment. Several asthma phenotypes with unique clinical and inflammatory characteristics have been identified. Endotypes, based on distinct molecular profiles, help to further elucidate the heterogeneity within asthma. Type 2 inflammation, involving both the innate (type 2 innate lymphoid cell) and adaptive (T-helper type 2 cells) immune systems, underpins the complex pathophysiology of chronic inflammation in asthma, as well as the presence of comorbid disease (e.g. chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis). Type 2 inflammation is characterised by upregulation of the type 2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, IgE-mediated release of immune mediators and dysfunction of epithelial or epidermal barriers. Targeting these key proximal type 2 cytokines has shown efficacy in recent studies adopting a personalised approach to treatment using targeted biologics. Elevated levels of biomarkers downstream of type 2 cytokines, including fractional exhaled nitric oxide, serum IgE and blood and sputum eosinophils, have been linked to mechanisms involved in type 2 inflammation. They have the potential to aid diagnosis, and to predict and monitor response to treatment. The objective of this review is to summarise the current understanding of the biology of type 2 inflammation in asthma, examine its influence on type 2 inflammatory comorbidities, and discuss how type 2 inflammatory biomarkers can be harnessed to further personalise treatments in the age of biologic medicines.