Biologics should be considered for patients with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) since biologic treatment response patterns in patients with ACO and asthma are similar, according to a study published in World Allergy Organization. Using data from the Precision Medicine Intervention in Severe Asthma (PRISM) study, researchers led a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study that compared biologics with real-world treatment responses in ACO and asthma. ACO was defined as a smoking history of more than 10 pack-years postbronchodilator and FEV1/FVC less than 0.7. After 6-months of therapy with biologics, both patients with ACO and asthma showed positive responses in Asthma Control Test scores, FEV1, fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels, oral corticosteroid use, blood eosinophils, sputum eosinophils, and exacerbation frequency. The study team found no significant difference in the OR after full adjustments for exacerbation and time-to-first exacerbation. They also observed comparable results in subgroup analysis according to biologic type.
