Biologics are the new frontier for treatment of many chronic medical conditions.
What Are Biologics?
Biologics are monoclonal antibodies that are specifically targeted to block an undesirable biologic process, such as excess inflammation in allergic conditions. The first of these, Xolair, targeted the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. Newer biologics target IL5 and eosinophils, an allergic white cell, or IL4/13 which drive the entire allergic pathway. These medications are injected subcutaneously from between biweekly to bimonthly depending on the particular drug. They are generally extremely safe and effective, do not suppress the immune system, and have virtually no side effects.
Biologics For Allergic Conditions
Our practice has stayed in the forefront of new treatments and use biologics in many of our patients when appropriate with remarkable success. Treatment with biologics has been life changing for these patients.
Current biologics that we use are as follow, and newer ones are on the horizon.
- Xolair (omalizumab): for severe asthma age 6 and above, chronic hives age 12 and above, nasal polyps age 18 and above, and most recently, for food allergies age 1 and up.
- Nucala (mepolizumab): for severe asthma age 6 and above, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) for adults, hypereosinophilic syndrome age 12 and above, and nasal polyps age 18 and above.
- Fasenra (benralizumab): for severe asthma age 12 and above.
- Dupixent (dupilumab): for severe asthma age 6 and above, severe eczema age 6 months and above, and nasal polyps age 18 and above. Dupixent has also recently been approved for treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in individuals age 12 and older.
- Tezspire (tezepelumab): for severe asthma age 12 and above.
Contact us for a consultation about biologic therapies.