This interactive session will provide the audience with an update on immunopathologic mechanisms of severe asthma and the role of viral infections in asthma exacerbations. The audience will hear about practical approaches to phenotyping and endotyping in severe asthma. This session will focus on current knowledge regarding the add-on biological therapies of severe asthma, including the humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab, anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibodies mepolizumab and reslizumab, the IL-5 receptor blocker benralizumab, and the dual IL-4/IL-13 receptor antagonist dupilumab. Future biological approaches will be also considered, as well as nonbiological strategies, such as pharmacologic antagonism of CRTH2 receptor of prostaglandin D2.
Learning Objectives:• Recognize the recent advances in the understanding of pathobiology of asthma.
• Understand the role of viral infections in asthma exacerbations.
• Review available therapeutic options, current and novel, in severe asthma.