Asthma

Despite advancements in asthma research and treatment, there is still a large racial gap in outcomes for Black and Hispanic children with asthma. To create effective strategies to rectify this disparity, more resources and better communication are needed. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing analyzed the importance of good communication between a healthcare...

The importance of diversity in clinical trials has been a topic of discussion for many years. Without diverse representation, we do not know how the many drugs, medical devices, and treatment plans born out of clinical trials will affect diverse groups. People of color continue to be underrepresented in clinical studies, which limits their access...

Benralizumab has emerged as one of the most efficacious therapies for individuals dealing with severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. Benralizumab is an interleukin-5 receptor cytolytic monoclonal antibody drug that significantly reduces eosinophil levels in the blood, leading to fewer asthma exacerbations. This study looks at the relationship between the efficacy of benralizumab and baseline blood eosinophil...

Treatment for eosinophilic asthma has found great success with two primary anti-IL-5 therapies: mepolizumab and benralizumab. Both drugs have yielded positive results and are well-studied. However, much of the research regarding mepolizumab and benralizumab is over the long-term, supporting our understanding of the medications’ overall efficacy but leaving us with little understanding of their short-term...

Recently, the anti-interleukin-5 antibody drugs mepolizumab and benralizumab have been approved for severe asthma. The purpose of this study was to analyze the way that patients respond to mepolizumab and benralizumab with respect to a few key indicators and metrics. In particular, the study focused on three bioindicators of airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling: L-selectin, Krebs...

Some individuals with asthma experience frequent exacerbations associated with eosinophilic inflammation. Often, these patients are taking multiple asthma medications, including inhaled glucocorticoids and oral glucocorticoids. The purpose of this study was to examine the results of administering mepolizumab to members of this cohort. The group used for this study, published in the New England Journal...

When it comes to exacerbated asthma symptoms, the home environment is one of the strongest determinants. The presence of agitating factors in the home environment, including dust, mold, cigarette smoke, and others, can compound over time, yielding drastically worse results in comparison to patients who are educated and active in reducing their exposure to environmental...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pulmonary and critical care physician Dr. Jamie Rutland, we discuss eosinophilic asthma, oral corticosteroids, and the Black community. MD Newsline: Is eosinophilic asthma more severe in the Black community? Dr. Jamie Rutland: “Here’s the thing. I would say that the presence of eosinophilic asthma leads to more severe...

In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with pulmonary and critical care physician Dr. Jamie Rutland, we discuss asthma management challenges and disparities in the wake of COVID-19. MD Newsline: What are the biggest challenges that pulmonologists and other physicians treating asthma are tasked with in the wake of COVID-19? Dr. Jamie Rutland: “The biggest issue...