Top 5 Most-Read Inflammation Articles of 2020

This year, the most popular articles and interviews related to the role of inflammation in asthma and other conditions touched on the mechanisms of inflammation, patterns of inhaler use, and the real-world impacts of the monoclonal antibody dupilumab. Here are the top 5 inflammation articles in 2020.

5. Real-World Study: Dupilumab for Atopic Dermatitis More Effective Than Clinical Trial Results

This article summarized research findings from the largest real-life study of dupilumab use in atopic dermatitis (AD), which revealed that the improvements were even greater than those seen in clinical trials. Almost all patients 98.1% experienced a 50% improvement in Eczema Area Severity Index score, and most (63.2%) “showed a clinically meaningful response for all the major outcome responses and were considered super-responders,” according to the study authors. They called for broader real-world practice data on dupilumab treatment outcomes among patients with AD.

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4. Dr Neal Jain on the Real-World Results of Dupilumab in Asthma

On a similar topic, we spoke with Neal Jain, MD, director of research at Arizona Allergy & Immunology Research and a co-owner of Arcadia Allergy & Asthma and San Tan Allergy & Asthma, about how real-world results of dupilumab in asthma compare with the findings from clinical trials. Jain explained how dupilumab has become a go-to treatment option for many allergists and pulmonologists due to their confidence that it will work quickly to improve lung function and reduce exacerbations. He also noted that even patients with very high eosinophil levels tend to achieve good control of their asthma after long-term dupilumab treatment, resulting in fewer exacerbations, emergency visits, and hospitalizations.

Watch the interview.

3. Dr Neal Jain Discusses Type 2 Inflammation in Asthma

In another interview with Jain, he outlined the role of type 2 inflammation, which is seen in about two-thirds of those with asthma and largely drives exacerbations of the condition. While asthma is a heterogenous syndrome, type 2 inflammation is so prevalent that it plays a role in identifying a diagnosis of asthma as opposed to chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dupilumab has been a “game changer” in the asthma world, Jain said, because it allows clinicians to confidently prescribe a treatment option that has proven successful in similar patients with severe asthma.

Watch the interview.

2. Dr Neal Jain Explains How Dupilumab Differentiated Itself as a Late Entrant to the Asthma Market

Although dupilumab entered the asthma treatment market later than other drugs, it has become an important option for patients with asthma, especially those who have not responded to first-generation biologics or who have comorbid diseases, Jain explained. Dupilumab has achieved significant market penetration but could see even more uptake with greater education around the role of type 2 inflammation for pulmonologists, who are generally more likely to prescribe anti–interleukin 5 agents. Jain foresaw a growth in the earlier use of dupilumab for severe asthma as more clinicians begin to see its benefits.

Watch the interview.

1. Overuse of Reliever Inhalers Does Not Necessarily Mean Greater Health Care Utilization

According to results of a retrospective cohort study, reliever inhalers are commonly used by patients with asthma, but those who consistently refilled 3 or more canisters per year did not have greater health care costs or more emergency visits than other patients. Although there was no direct association between frequent reliever inhaler use and higher costs, the investigators noted that inappropriate use of the inhalers was associated with higher adherence to other types of controllers, which was itself associated with increased costs, indicating a more complex interaction that could be at play.

Read the full article.