Biologics in severe asthma: the role of real-world evidence from registries

Eur Respir Rev. 2022 Jun 7;31(164):210278. doi: 10.1183/16000617.0278-2021. Print 2022 Jun 30.

Abstract

Asthma is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases; in the majority of patients it is well controlled with inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids, but the management of severe asthma has been a significant challenge historically. The introduction of novel biologic drugs in the past few decades has revolutionised the field, presenting physicians with a variety of biologic drugs with different mechanisms for the treatment of severe asthma.It is of crucial importance to evaluate the effectiveness of these drugs by following their "real-life" effectiveness rather than relying solely on their efficacy, established in carefully designed clinical trials, which therefore do not necessarily match the profile of the real-life patient. Understanding the actual effectiveness of the specific drugs in real-life patients is a crucial part of tailoring the right drugs to the right patients. Registries serve as an important tool in obtaining real-life evidence, since they are in effect observational studies, following the entire patient population.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents* / adverse effects
  • Asthma* / diagnosis
  • Asthma* / drug therapy
  • Asthma* / epidemiology
  • Biological Products* / adverse effects
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Registries

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Bronchodilator Agents