“Optimising OCS use in severe asthma in the era of biologic agents” presented by Prof. Andrew Menzies-Gow
As part of our ongoing seminar series, the Centre of Excellence in Severe Asthma hosted Prof. Andrew Menzies-Gow, for a webinar “Optimising OCS use in severe asthma in the era of biologic agents” on 15 November 2018.
Presentation Summary
Oral corticosteroid (OCS) treatment is a mainstay add-on therapy for severe asthma. While OCS treatment has many beneficial effects, side-effects also contribute to significant disease burden. Strategies that can reduce OCS use while minimising symptoms are recommended, to limit the lifelong impacts of OCS treatment.
Prof. Menzies-Gow discusses:
- OCS use in severe asthma
- How to minimise OCS with current strategies
- The OCS-sparing potential of biologics (monoclonal antibody therapies)
- The need for more studies
Conclusions based on current data indicate:
- The need to work towards eliminating chronic OCS use in people with severe asthma
- Getting the basics right can minimise OCS exposure
- Several OCS-sparing biologics are now available
- Ongoing studies may provide insight into how to quickly taper OCS treatment while managing adrenal insufficiency
About Prof. Andrew Menzies-Gow:
Professor Andrew Menzies-Gow is the clinical lead for severe asthma and the director of the Lung Division at the Royal Brompton Hospital. He is a Professor of Practice (Respiratory Medicine) at Imperial College where his research interests include novel therapies for severe asthma. He was the chair of the NICE Guideline Development Group for Asthma: Diagnosis and Monitoring and is a member of the Clinical Reference Group for Specialised Adult Respiratory Medicine for NHS England leading on the commissioning of severe asthma services.
Prof. Menzie-Gow’s travel was supported by AstraZeneca
More information about severe asthma medications is also available in the Severe Asthma Toolkit – click here
