Abstract
Allergologie select, Volume 4/2020 (53-68)
Use of biologicals in allergic and type-2 inflammatory diseases during the current COVID-19 pandemic
Ludger Klimek1, Oliver Pfaar2, Margitta Worm3, Thomas Eiwegger4,5,6, Jan Hagemann7, Markus Ollert8,9, Eva Untersmayr10, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber10, Alessandra Vultaggio11, Ioana Agache12, Sevim Bavbek13, Apostolos Bossios14,15, Ingrid Casper1,16,17, Susan Chan18, Alexia Chatzipetrou19, Christian Vogelberg20, Davide Firinu21, Paula Kauppi22, Antonios Kolios16,23, Akash Kothari4, Andrea Matucci11, Oscar Palomares24, Zsolt Szépfalusi25, Wolfgang Pohl26, Wolfram Hötzenecker27, Alexander R. Rosenkranz28, Karl-Christian Bergmann3, Thomas Bieber29, Roland Buhl30, Jeroen Buters31, Ulf Darsow32, Thomas Keil33, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe34, Susanne Lau35, Marcus Maurer98, Hans Merk36, Ralph Mösges37,38,39, Joachim Saloga40, Petra Staubach40, Uta Jappe41, Klaus F. Rabe42, Uta Rabe42, Claus Vogelmeier44, Tilo Biedermann32,45, Kirsten Jung46, Wolfgang Schlenter47, Johannes Ring48,49, Adam Chaker50,51, Wolfgang Wehrmann52, Sven Becker53, Laura Freudelsperger7, Norbert Mülleneisen54, Katja Nemat55, Wolfgang Czech56, Holger Wrede57, Randolf Brehler58, Thomas Fuchs59, Peter-Valentin Tomazic60, Werner Aberer61, Antje-Henriette Fink-Wagner62, Fritz Horak63, Stefan Wöhrl64, Verena Niederberger-Leppin65, Isabella Pali-Schöll10,66,67, Wolfgang Pohl68, Regina Roller-Wirnsberger69, Otto Spranger70, Rudolf Valenta71,94,95,96, Mübecell Akdis72, Paolo M. Matricardi73, François Spertini74, Nicolai Khaltaev75, Jean-Pierre Michel76, Larent Nicod77, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier78, Marco Idzko79, Eckard Hamelmann80, Thilo Jakob81, Thomas Werfel82, Martin Wagenmann83, Christian Taube84, Erika Jensen-Jarolim10,66, Stephanie Korn30, Francois Hentges85, Jürgen Schwarze86, Liam O´Mahony87, Edward F. Knol88, Stefano del Giacco89, Tomás Chivato Pérez90, Jean Bousquet91,92,93,94,95, Anna Bedbrook91, Torsten Zuberbier3, Cezmi Akdis72, and Marek Jutel96,97
1Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, 2HNO-Universitätsklinik Marburg, Sektion Rhinologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Fakultät Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 3Comprehensive Allergy Centre Charité, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, 4Translational Medicine Program, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 5Division of Immunology and Allergy, Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 6Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 7Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Germany 8Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxemburg, 9Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, 10Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria, 11Immunoallergology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy, 12Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania, 13Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Chest Disease, Division of, Immunology and Allergy, Ankara, Turkey, 14Abteilung für Atemwegsmedizin und Allergie, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge und Abteilung für Medizin, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 15Zentrum für Allergieforschung, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 16Department of Immunology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland, 17Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland, 18Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, United Kingdom, King’s College London School of Life Course Sciences & School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King’s Health Partners, United Kingdom, 19Allergy Unit 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National University of Athens, Medical School, University General Hospital „ATTIKON“, Athen, Greece, 20Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Fachbereich Kinderpneumologie/Allergologie, Dresden, Germany 21Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy, 22Abteilung für Allergie, Entzündungszentrum, Universitätsklinikum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 23Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 24Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry School, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, 25Abteilung für Pädiatrische Pulmologie, Allergologie und Endokrinologie, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Comprehensive Center for Pediatrics, Medizinische Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria, 26Abteilung für Atmungs- und Lungenerkrankungen, Krankenhaus Hietzing, Vienna, Austria, 27Abteilung für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Kepler Universitätsklinikum, Linz, Austria, 28Klinische Abteilung für Nephrologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Austria, 29Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universität Bonn, Bonn, 30Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz, 31Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt (ZAUM) Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 32Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie der Technischen Universität München, 33Institut für Klinische Epidemiologie und Biometrie, Universität Würzburg, 34Allergie- und Asthma-Zentrum Westend, Berlin, 35Klinik für Pädiatrie m.S. Pneumologie, Immunologie und Intensivmedizin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 36Abteilung Dermatologie und Allergologie, RWTH Universität, Aachen, 37Medizinische Fakultät der Universität zu Köln, Cologne 38CRI – Clinical Research International Ltd., Hamburg, 39ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Köln, Cologne 40Hautklinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, 41Forschungsgruppe Klinische und Molekulare Allergologie des Forschungszentrums Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Mitglied des Deutschen Zentrums für Lungenforschung (DZL); Interdisziplinäre Allergie-Ambulanz, Medizinische Klinik III, Universität zu Lübeck, 42LungenClinic Grosshansdorf, Großhansdorf, 43Klinik für Allergologie, Johanniter-Krankenhaus im Fläming Treuenbrietzen GmbH, Treuenbrietzen, 44Klinik für Innere Medizin Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 45Einheit für Klinische Allergologie (EKA), Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health GmbH, Neuherberg, 46Praxis für Dermatologie, Immunologie und Allergologie, Erfurt, 47Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen, Dreieich, 48Haut- und Laserzentrum an der Oper, München, Munich, 49Academia München, 50HNO-Klinik, Universitätsklinik TUM, München, 51ZAUM, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Munich 52Praxis für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Münster, 53Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universität Tübingen, 54Asthma und Allergiezentrum Leverkusen, 55Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden; Praxis für Kinderpenumologie/Allergologie am Kinderzentrum Dresden (Kid), Dresden, 56Praxis und Klinik für Dermatologie/Allergologie am Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum, Villingen-Schwenningen, 57Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenarzt, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 58Universitätsklinikum Münster, Klinik für Hautkrankheiten, Ambulanz für Allergologie, Berufsdermatologie und Umweltmedizin, Münster, 59Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany 60Klinische Abteilung für allgemeine HNO, Medizinische Universität Graz, Austria, 61Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Austria, 62Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform GAAPP, Vienna, Austria, 63Allergiezentrum Wien West, Vienna, Austria, 64Floridsdorfer Allergiezentrum, Vienna, Austria, 65Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Medizinische Universität Vienna, Austria, 66Komperative Medizin, Interdisziplinäres Messerli Forschungsinstitut, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Medizinische Universität Wien, 67Institut für Pathophysiologie und Allergieforschung, Medizinische Universität Wien, 68Abteilung für Atmungs- und Lungenerkrankungen, Krankenhaus Hietzing, Vienna, Austria, 69Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Austria, 70Österreichische Lungenunion, Vienna, Austria, 71Immunopathologie, Abteilung für Pathophysiologie und Allergieforschung, Zentrum für Pathophysiologie, Infektiologie und Immunologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Austria, 72Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland, 73Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 74Division of Allergy and Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland, 75GARD Chairman, Genf, Switzerland, 76Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University of Geneva, Genf, Switzerland, 77Clinic Cecil of Hirslanden Group of Lausanne; Centre Hôpitalier Universitaire du canton de Vaud Lausanne, Switzerland, 78Allergiestation, Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital Zürich, Switzerland, 79Klinische Abteilung für Pneumologie, Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin II, Medizinische Universität Wien, Austria, 80Kinderzentrum Bethel, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Universitätsmedizin OWL der Universität Bielefeld, 81Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, UKGM, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Gießen, 82Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 83HNO-Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, 84Universitätsklinikum Essen (AöR), Germany 85Service Immunologie-Allergologie Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxemburg, 86Kinderleben und Gesundheit, Universität von Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 87Medicine and Microbiology, APC Microbiome Ireland, National University of Ireland, Cork, Irland, 88Departments of Immunology, Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, 89Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy, 90University Foundation San Pablo CEU, Madrid, Spain, 91MACVIA-France, Fondation partenariale FMC VIA-LR, Montpellier, France, 92INSERM U 1168, VIMA: Ageing and chronic diseases Epidemiological and public health approaches, Villejuif, France, 93Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UMR-S 1168, Montigny le Bretonneux, France, 94Euforea, Brussels, Belgium, 95Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany 96Department of Clinical Immunology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland, 97ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wrocław, Poland, and 98Dermatologische Allergologie, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the treatment of patients with allergic and atopy-associated diseases has faced major challenges. Recommendations for “social distancing” and the fear of patients becoming infected during a visit to a medical facility have led to a drastic decrease in personal doctor-patient contacts. This affects both acute care and treatment of the chronically ill. The immune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection is so far only insufficiently understood and could be altered in a favorable or unfavorable way by therapy with monoclonal antibodies. There is currently no evidence for an increased risk of a severe COVID-19 course in allergic patients. Many patients are under ongoing therapy with biologicals that inhibit type 2 immune responses via various mechanisms. There is uncertainty about possible immunological interactions and potential risks of these biologicals in the case of an infection with SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods: A selective literature search was carried out in PubMed, Livivo, and the internet to cover the past 10 years (May 2010 – April 2020). Additionally, the current German-language publications were analyzed. Based on these data, the present position paper provides recommendations for the biological treatment of patients with allergic and atopy-associated diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In order to maintain in-office consultation services, a safe treatment environment must be created that is adapted to the pandemic situation. To date, there is a lack of reliable study data on the care for patients with complex respiratory, atopic, and allergic diseases in times of an imminent infection risk from SARS-CoV-2. Type-2-dominant immune reactions, as they are frequently seen in allergic patients, could influence various phases of COVID-19, e.g., by slowing down the immune reactions. Theoretically, this could have an unfavorable effect in the early phase of a SARS-Cov-2 infection, but also a positive effect during a cytokine storm in the later phase of severe courses. However, since there is currently no evidence for this, all data from patients treated with a biological directed against type 2 immune reactions who develop COVID-19 should be collected in registries, and their disease courses documented in order to be able to provide experience-based instructions in the future. Conclusion: The use of biologicals for the treatment of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and spontaneous urticaria should be continued as usual in patients without suspected infection or proven SARS-CoV-2 infection. If available, it is recommended to prefer a formulation for self-application and to offer telemedical monitoring. Treatment should aim at the best possible control of difficult-to-control allergic and atopic diseases using adequate rescue and add-on therapy and should avoid the need for systemic glucocorticosteroids. If SARS-CoV-2 infection is proven or reasonably suspected, the therapy should be determined by weighing the benefits and risks individually for the patient in question, and the patient should be involved in the decision-making. It should be kept in mind that the potential effects of biologicals on the immune response in COVID-19 are currently not known. Telemedical offers are particularly desirable for the acute consultation needs of suitable patients.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. Ludger Klimek, Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, An den Quellen 10, 65183 Wiesbaden
Email: [email protected]
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 10/2026 (158-169)
Choosing and switching biologics for patients with severe asthma: Real-world data from the German Asthma Net (GAN)
Alexandra Lenoir1, Roland Buhl2, Carlo Muemmler1,16, Jürgen Behr1, Rainer Ehmann3, Eckard Hamelmann4, Anette Holtdirk5, Marco Idzko6, Margret Jandl7, Frank Kaessner8, Olaf Schmidt9, Christian Schulz10, Dirk Skowasch11, Hendrik Suhling12, Christian Taube13, Stephanie Korn14, Katrin Milger1,15; and GAN investigators
1Department of Medicine V, LMU University Hospital, Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), LMU Munich, Munich, 2Mainz University Hospital, Pulmonary Department, Mainz, 3Ambulante Pneumologie mit Allergiezentrum, Stuttgart, 4Kinderzentrum Bethel, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, 5RQMplus Germany, Ahlen, Germany, 6Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Vienna AKH, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 7Hamburger Institut für Therapieforschung GmbH, Hamburg, 8Ambulantes Zentrum für Lungenkrankheiten und Schlafmedizin, Cottbus, 9Pneumologie Mittelrhein und Studienzentrum KPPK, Bendorf am Rhein, 10Clinic and Polyclinic of Internal Medicine, Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, 11Department of Internal Medicine II - Pneumology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 12Pneumologicum Hannover, Hanover, 13Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen-Ruhrlandklinik, Essen, 14IKF Pneumologie Mainz and Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Mainz and Heidelberg, Germany, 15Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Lung Research Cluster, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria, and 16Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI), Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), Helmholtz Munich, Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
With six biologics available to treat severe asthma in 2025, choosing the optimal initial therapy and deciding to which other biologic to switch in case of insufficient benefit is challenging. To better understand patients’ characteristics depending on the chosen biologic and patterns of switch, we evaluated adult patients with severe asthma from the GAN registry who were biologic-naïve at baseline. Between 2011 and 2024, 2,649 patients with severe asthma newly received a biologic, 26% anti-interleukin-5 receptor (IL5R), 25% anti-IL5, 16% anti-IL4R, 24% anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE), and 9% anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP). Distribution of biologics varied between time periods, reflecting their availability over time. Patients treated with anti-IgE were youngest at asthma diagnosis (mean 26 years) and had the highest rates of allergic comorbidities (80%). Blood eosinophils were highest in patients receiving anti-IL5R (median 433/µL) and lowest in those receiving anti-TSLP (median 159/µL), while FeNO was highest in patients treated with anti-IL5, anti-IL5R, or anti-IL4R (median 39, 38, and 35 ppb, respectively). 14.3% (n = 378) of patients were switched from the first biologic to a different one. The most frequent switch constellations were anti-IL5 to anti-IL5R, anti-IL5R to anti-IL4R, and anti-IL5 to anti-IL4R. After a switch, depending on the constellation up to 46% of patients reached remission. Phenotyping patients with severe asthma determines the choice of biologic therapy in real-world practice. Choice and switch of biologic have evolved over time influenced by availability of different drugs. Our analysis supports the practice of switching to a different biologic in case of insufficient initial response.Correspondence to:
Katrin Milger, MD, Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 15, 8036 Graz, Austria
Email: [email protected]
