When evaluating a patient’s response to a biologic for asthma, factors to consider include patient preference, safety, and symptoms, explained Nicola Hanania, MD, MS, pulmonary critical care physician and director, Airway Clinical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
When evaluating a patient’s response to biologics, factors to consider include patient preference; safety, specifically the risk of anaphylaxis; symptoms; asthma control test; and lung fuction, explained Nicola Hanania, MD, MS, pulmonary critical care physician and director, Airway Clinical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Transcript
How is biologic agent effectiveness evaluated in patients?
In clinical trials, we've tested these agents on their effect on exacerbation. So almost all these drugs were approved based on whether they reduce exacerbation. So it means large trials, and not only large, but long, 1-year trials. And in real life in my clinic, I can't wait for a year to know if the patient is responding, so I look at other things.
I look at how the patient is feeling. I look at asthma control. Lung function can sometimes improve dramatically with some of the agents, like anti-IL-4 [interleukin-4], for example. Lung function may not be affected dramatically by others. We look at exacerbation, it’s important. But because you need a long time to look to capture exacerbation, we look at other surrogates and patient satisfaction.
We obviously look at safety. In general, these agents are safe, but if one of them causes anaphylaxis, we have to stop. So there are some safety issues that we should consider as well. Although it's rare, it's been reported that some of them may be associated with anaphylaxis. We look at symptoms, asthma control test, and lung function.
Increasing Lp(a) Awareness for Better Cardiovascular Health: Dr Mary McGowan
March 24th 2024For Lp(a) Awareness Day, Mary McGowan, MD, FNLA, chief medical officer of the Family Heart Foundation, highlights how most people with elevated Lp(a) are completely unaware that they have this increased risk and calls for increased testing.
Read More
Exploring Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Variations
March 26th 2024On this episode of Managed Care Cast, we're talking with the authors of a study published in the March 2024 issue of The American Journal of Managed Care® about their findings on variations in prior authorization use across Medicare Advantage plans.
Listen
Kathy Oubre on Strategies to Mitigate Challenges When Adopting New Payment Models
February 23rd 2024While adopting new payment models can come with challenges, there are strategies that can help oncology practices optimize their approaches, said Kathy Oubre, MS, CEO of Pontchartrain Cancer Center.
Read More
Getting to Know Dr Shauna Downs, Public Health Nutritionist
February 23rd 2024Shauna Downs, PhD, MS, is an associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy at the Rutgers School of Public Health. A former figure skater, her research now focuses on interventions to promote healthy and sustainable food choices and exploring how our changing climate, food systems, diet, and nutrition are inextricably linked.
Read More