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New Delhi, June 26:
Biological drugs, or biologics, have transformed the management of severe asthma, offering many patients significant relief and improved quality of life. However, new research from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published in the journal Allergy, suggests these therapies may not fully eradicate the immune cells responsible for airway inflammation—a finding that could have important implications for long-term asthma care.
Persistent Inflammatory Cells Despite Treatment
In the study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 40 patients with severe asthma before and during biologic treatment. Contrary to expectations, the team found that certain inflammatory immune cells not only persisted but, in some cases, increased during therapy. These cells, which play a central role in driving asthma-related inflammation, remained in the bloodstream even as patients experienced symptom relief.
“This suggests that biologics might not attack the root of the problem, no matter how much they help asthma patients during treatment,” said Professor Jenny Mjösberg, a tissue immunology expert at Karolinska Institutet’s Department of Medicine, Huddinge. “Continued treatment might be necessary to keep the disease under control”.
Advanced Techniques Reveal Surprising Results
The research team employed advanced methods such as flow cytometry and single-cell sequencing to characterize the immune cells involved. Their analysis focused on patients treated with commonly prescribed biologics like mepolizumab and dupilumab. While these drugs are effective at controlling symptoms, the study found they do not completely suppress the immune cells responsible for inflammation.
“We were surprised to find that blood levels of inflammatory cells increased rather than decreased,” said Lorenz Wirth, a doctoral researcher involved in the study. “This could explain why inflammation of the airways often returns when the treatment is tapered or discontinued. It is important that we understand the long-term immunological effects of these drugs”.
Implications and Next Steps
Biologics have only been in use for severe asthma for less than a decade, and their long-term impact on immune system behavior remains unclear. The researchers now plan to examine lung tissue and long-term treatment samples to better understand how biologics affect immune cell behavior directly in the airways.
The findings highlight the need for ongoing research to refine asthma treatments and ensure they deliver lasting disease control, not just temporary symptom relief.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on preliminary research findings from Karolinska Institutet, as published in the journal Allergy. The results are not intended to replace professional medical advice. Patients should consult their healthcare providers before making any changes to their treatment plans. Further studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of biologic therapies in severe asthma.
