0000000000121744
AUTHOR
Maike Wilk
Serum eosinophil cationic protein as a potential biomarker for interleukin-5 antibody treatment in patients with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma
Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) has been described as a marker reflecting activation of eosinophils in asthma, potentially correlating to airway inflammation. Our aim was to examine the role of serum ECP to predict treatment efficacy in asthmatics starting interleukin-5 antibody (anti-IL5) therapy. We evaluated 65 patients with severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma (≥300 eosinophils per µl blood) before and approx. 4 months after initiation of anti-IL5 therapy with mepolizumab; 35 patients completed a 12 month follow-up. Evaluation of treatment efficacy included medical history, asthma questionnaires, physical examination, spirometry, exhaled NO and blood tests. Depending on the …
The Severe Asthma Registry – German data
Patients with severe persistent asthma represent the highest unmet medical need among the asthmatic population. To improve the understanding of underlying mechanisms and disease progression the German Asthma Net (GAN, www.german-asthma-net.de) launched a Severe Asthma Registry in December 2011. Enrolled patients undergo detailed clinical and physiologic evaluations, including patients’ medical history, allergy and lung function tests, blood analyses as well as past and concomitant medication and comorbidities. Patients are followed up every year. As of February 2018, 1097 subjects were recruited in Germany, Austria, and Slovenia. The mean age±SEM of the 839 German adult patients is 50.6±0.5…
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide is associated with more severe asthma
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels are used as a marker of airway inflammation. The aim of the present work was to evaluate a possible relationship between FeNO and parameters of asthma control and severity in different asthma phenotypes. FeNO was evaluated in 200 asthma patients (37% male, mean age ± SD 54±15 years, 19% controlled (GINA), 30% treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS), median FEV1 (interquartile range) 2,05 L (1,49-2,70), 74% pred. (56-90%)), together with other asthma characteristics (lung function, asthma control, allergies, serum IgE, serum ECP, and blood eosinophils). Patients with poorly controlled asthma had significantly higher FeNO values (ACQ-5≥1.5 vs. 70%…
Measurement of exhaled nitric oxide: comparison of 3 different analyzers
Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is used as a surrogate marker to monitor airway inflammation. Aim of this study was to compare the new FeNO analyzer Vivatmo pro from Bosch (BV) with the Niox Vero from Circassia (CN) and the CLD from Ecomedics (EC). In 106 asthma patients (median age 54 years (range 20-87), 60 % female, median ACT of 16, 85 % on inhaled corticosteroids (mean 1300 μg BDP), 36 % on therapy with biologics) 2 FeNO measurements per patient and per device were performed using each analyzer in a random sequence according to the ATS / ERS guidelines. Additionally, the success rate to achieve a valid NO value was evaluated. 70 % of the patients had FeNO values In conclusion, for the rang…
Measurement of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide: Comparison of Three Different Analysers
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a surrogate marker for airway inflammation, supporting the diagnostic pathway and treatment decisions for asthma patients. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Aim of this study was to compare the new analyser Vivatmo pro (Bosch, BV) with NIOX VERO (Circassia, CN) and CLD (Ecomedics, EC). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In 100 asthmatics (median 53 years [range 20–87], 62% female, 86% on inhaled corticosteroids [mean 1,300 μg beclomethasone dipropionate or equivalent], 35% treated with biologics) 2 FeNO measurements per device were performed. Additionally, the success rate…