Table 1.

Available Asthma Biologic Therapies

Asthma Biologic Therapy	FDA Approval	Mechanism of Action	Asthma Exacerbation	Lung Function	Corticosteroid Weaning	SQ and IV
Omalizumab	2003	Anti-IgE; binds to IgE	Reduces by ~25%	Minimal or equivocal improvement	Decreases use of ICS	Subcutaneous Every 2–4 weeks
Mepolizumab	2015	Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 ligand	Reduces by ~50%	Nominal improvement	Decreases total use of OCS and has been shown to facilitate complete weaning from chronic OCS (14%)	Subcutaneous every 4 weeks
Reslizumab	2016	Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 ligand	Reduces by ~50–60%	Improved	Has not been specifically evaluated for this indication	Intravenous every 4 weeks
Benralizumab	2017	Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 receptor α	Reduces by ~25–60%	Improved	Decreases total use of OCS and has been shown to facilitate complete weaning from chronic OCS (50%)	Subcutaneous every 4 weeks for 3 doses then every 8 weeks
Dupilumab	2018	Anti–IL-4R; binds to IL-4 receptor α	Reduces by ~50–70%	Improved	Decreases total use of OCS and has been shown to facilitate complete weaning from chronic OCS (50%)	Subcutaneous every 2 weeks
Tezepelumab40,42,48	2021	Anti-TSLP; binds to TSLP ligand	Reduces by ~50 – 70%	Improved	Did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in maintenance OCS dose compared with placebo.	Subcutaneous every 4 weeks

Notes: Data from McGregor MC, Krings JG, Nair P, Castro M. Role of Biologics in Asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019;199(4):433–445.³²

Abbreviations: IgE, immunoglobulin; IL, interleukin; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids; TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin; OCS, oral corticosteroids; SQ, subcutaneous; IV, intravenous; FDA, Federal Drug Administration.