From the Guidelines
Tezspire (tezepelumab) is a viable treatment option for patients with severe asthma, including those with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), as it targets thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a key player in airway inflammation, as evidenced by recent clinical practice guidelines 1. The medication is administered as a 210 mg subcutaneous injection once every four weeks by a healthcare provider. Its unique mechanism of action allows it to be effective across different types of severe asthma, regardless of specific biomarkers like eosinophil counts or allergic status. Some key points to consider when prescribing Tezspire include:
- Common side effects, such as pharyngitis, arthralgia, and injection site reactions, as reported in clinical trials 1.
- The importance of continuing other asthma medications as directed by the healthcare provider, as Tezspire is meant to complement, not replace, existing treatment regimens.
- The potential for Tezspire to reduce exacerbations and improve symptoms in patients with ABPA, as suggested by case reports and small case series 1. Overall, Tezspire is a valuable addition to the treatment arsenal for severe asthma, including ABPA, and should be considered for patients who remain uncontrolled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and other controller medications, as recommended by the revised Isham-ABPA working group clinical practice guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Tezspire Overview
- Tezspire, also known as tezepelumab, is a biologic medicine approved for the treatment of severe asthma 2.
- It is administered subcutaneously every 4 weeks [(2,3)].
- Tezspire is indicated for patients with severe or refractory asthma whose symptoms cannot be controlled by currently available treatments 2.
Mechanism of Action
- Tezepelumab binds to the epithelial cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and disrupts TSLP signaling via the heterodimeric receptor 2.
- It has a broad anti-inflammatory effect by blocking IL-4, IL-13, and IL-5 pathways 4.
Clinical Efficacy
- Tezepelumab has been shown to reduce the annual asthma exacerbation rate in patients with uncontrolled, severe asthma [(2,3,5)].
- It improves lung function, health-related quality of life, and asthma control [(2,4)].
- Tezepelumab is effective in reducing asthma exacerbations regardless of blood eosinophil count, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels, or serum total IgE at baseline [(2,5,4)].
Safety Profile
- Tezepelumab has been shown to be well-tolerated with a safety profile similar to placebo 3.
- The most common adverse events reported were similar to those seen in the general population of patients with severe asthma 3.