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A recent report emphasizes the urgent need for improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies to bridge the care gap for patients with severe asthma, particularly those with T-helper cell type 2 (T2)-low asthma. This subtype, which lacks typical inflammatory biomarkers, poses significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment.
T2-low asthma differs from the more commonly addressed T2-high asthma as it lacks eosinophils and immunoglobulin E (IgE), biomarkers critical for diagnosing and treating many asthma cases. Current therapies largely focus on eosinophilic and allergic inflammation, leaving patients with non-eosinophilic or neutrophilic asthma underserved.
According to a report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, patients with T2-high asthma have benefited from biologic treatments, but T2-low asthma remains an unmet clinical need.
“The current treatment landscape for severe asthma has made significant strides, particularly for T2-high asthma. However, T2-low asthma remains largely under-researched and under-treated. There is an urgent need for both reliable biomarkers and therapies targeting this neglected subset of asthma patients,” said Sravani Meka, Senior Pharmaceutical Analyst at GlobalData.
Meka underscored the importance of ongoing research into emerging therapies, particularly for T2-low asthma. She also called for the development of advanced diagnostic tools capable of distinguishing T2-low asthma from other subtypes, as misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis often leads to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
The report further highlighted persistent barriers to effective asthma care, even with the availability of biologics. Poor inhaler technique, high medication costs, and inconsistent use continue to undermine asthma control, leaving many patients vulnerable to severe symptoms and complications.
To address these challenges, the report advocates for improved patient education on inhaler use and expanded access to therapies. Such measures are critical for enhancing asthma control and ensuring better outcomes for all patients.
“To truly address the needs of T2-low asthma patients, there must be a concerted effort to improve diagnostics, develop targeted treatments, and ensure better access to care. Only then can we achieve significant improvements in asthma management for all patients, regardless of their asthma subtype,” Meka concluded.
The findings underscore the pressing need for innovation in asthma care, with a focus on underserved populations, to ensure equitable and effective treatment for all.
