Reduction in FeNO on anti-IL5 biologics is associated with clinical remission of severe asthma

Marianne Baastrup Soendergaard, Susanne Hansen, Kjell Erik Julius Haakansson, Anna Von Bülow, Anne-Sofie Bjerrum, Johannes Martin Schmid, Claus Rikard Johnsen, Ole Hilberg, Charlotte Suppli Ulrik, Celeste Porsbjerg

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Abstract

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is considered a marker of IL13 drive in severe asthma; however, a reduction in FeNO on anti-IL5 biologics is seen in some patients. Currently, the influence of biomarker responder profiles on response to biological treatment is not well understood.

Methods: We identified bionaive patients in the Danish Severe Asthma Register who received mepolizumab, reslizumab, or benralizumab for at least 12 months. Patients without baseline and follow-up FeNO measurements were excluded. Patients with FeNO ≥ 25 ppb at baseline and a decrease of 10 ppb or 20 % if baseline FeNO ≥ 50 ppb at follow-up were categorised as FeNO responders, and those with baseline FeNO ≥ 25 ppb and no decrease at follow-up were categorised as FeNO non-responders. We then assessed remission at follow-up (no exacerbations, no maintenance oral corticosteroids, ACQ ≤ 1.5, and FEV1 ≥80 % of predicted) in each group.

Results: At baseline, 66% (265/403) of patients commenced on an anti-IL5 biologic had elevated FeNO: Among these patients 151 (57 %) were FeNO responders, and 114 (43%) were FeNO non-responders at follow-up. FeNO responders had higher FeNO levels at baseline than FeNO non-responders (65 vs. 40 ppb, p<0.0001). A larger proportion of FeNO responders achieved clinical remission after 12 months of treatment than FeNO non-responders (32 % vs. 18 %, p=0.05).

Conclusion: FeNO response on anti-IL5 biologics was common in a nationwide cohort of asthma patients, and more FeNO responders achieved remission. Biomarker response profiles could guide future treatment strategies aimed at inducing remission with biological treatments.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberPA5365
JournalThe European Respiratory Journal
Volume64
Issue numberSuppl 68
Number of pages1
ISSN0903-1936
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Externally publishedYes

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