Voluntary stop of Biologics for chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Introduction According to considerable therapy costs, the effect of voluntary stop of biologics in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps was investigated.

Material/Methods In a single-center observational study, all patients who received therapy with dupilumab, omalizumab and mepolizumab at the department of otorhinolaryngology of Jena University Hospital from the introduction of therapy with biologics in 2019 until 30th september 2023 were examined. Patients with at least one year of therapy who tolerated biologic therapy well without side effects and had a satisfying response to therapy were included.

Results Of 11 patients (6 male, 5 female; median age 53; 10 months median duration of therapy) on mepolizumab therapy, one patient voluntarily stopped after 12 months. To this day, he is very satisfied with it (nasal polyp score persistent 0 at 5 before therapy). Of 22 patients (16 male, 6 female; median age 59; 7 months median duration of therapy) on omalizumab therapy, none voluntarily stopped therapy. In 64 patients on dupilumab therapy (35 male, 29 female; median age 56.5; median duration of therapy 20.5 months), 9 patients (6 male, 3 female) voluntarily stopped therapy. In 6 patients (3 male, 3 female), therapy was restarted with the same biological after 5±0.6 months after regrowth of polyps and increase of symptoms. When the therapy was started again, it was effective again.

Summary Overall, 40% of the stopped patients did not require re-biologic therapy for 14.5 months with continuous use of cortisone-containing nasal spray.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. April 2024