This book focuses on the fundamentals of the use of biologics in asthma, describing the rationale, principles, mechanisms of action, and indications. It offers an excellent balance between basic science and the analysis of clinical trials, updating readers with new developments that are changing the global scenario for targeted biological anti-asthma therapies, especially with regard to more severe disease. A range of therapies are considered, from the humanized monoclonal anti-IgE antibody omalizumab, widely approved as add-on treatment for inadequately controlled disease, through to emerging biologics for which evidence supportive of efficacy is accumulating, including anti-IL-5, anti-IL-4, and anti-IL-13 therapies. One aspect to emerge is the variability in individual response, which suggests a need for characterization of different asthma subtypes to permit the effective implementation of phenotype-targeted treatments. This book will be of interest for pulmonologists, clinical immunologists, and physicians seeking sound information on these therapies, but also for scientists and pharmacologists wishing to enhance their knowledge of the therapeutic implications of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie severe, uncontrolled asthma.

Severe asthma is a form of asthma that responds poorly to currently available medication, and its patients represent those with greatest unmet needs. In the last 10 years, substantial progress has been made in terms of understanding some of the mechanisms that drive severe asthma; there have also been concomitant advances in the recognition of specific molecular phenotypes. This ERS Monograph covers all aspects of severe asthma – epidemiology, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment and management – but has a particular focus on recent understanding of mechanistic heterogeneity based on an analytic approach using various ‘omics platforms applied to clinically well-defined asthma cohorts. How these advances have led to improved management targets is also emphasised. This book brings together the clinical and scientific expertise of those from around the world who are collaborating to solve the problem of severe asthma.

This book provides readers with a comprehensive review of severe asthma in children and adolescents, covering epidemiology, genetics, risk factors, co-morbidities, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Written by leaders in the field, chapter discussions draw on the mechanisms driving the disease, genetics, multidisciplinary approaches, immunomodulators, and other important aspects in the management of the disease. Severe Asthma in Children and Adolescents: Mechanisms and Management is designed to be a practical guide, opening with an introduction on the epidemiology of severe childhood asthma, as well as a discussion of special considerations of the disease unique to the preschool-aged patient. The distinctions between the diagnosis and management of asthma in young children of various ages, and specific approaches for the adolescent with severe asthma, including the transition into adult care are then addressed. Finally, the book closes with a discussion on the current state and future avenues for severe asthma research. Severe Asthma in Children and Adolescents is an indispensable reference for the healthcare professional, for basic and translational researchers, as well as for students, residents and fellows.

Respiratory diseases affect a large proportion of the population and can cause complications when associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy induces profound anatomical and functional physiological changes in the mother, and subjects the mother to pregnancy-specific respiratory conditions. Reviewing respiratory conditions both specific and non-specific to pregnancy, the book also addresses related issues such as smoking and mechanical ventilation. Basic concepts for the obstetrician are covered, including patient history, physiology and initial examinations. Topics such as physiological changes during pregnancy and placental gas exchange are discussed for the non-obstetrician. Guidance is practical, covering antenatal and post-partum care, as well as management in the delivery suite. An essential guide to respiratory diseases in pregnancy, this book is indispensable to both obstetricians and non-obstetric physicians managing pregnant patients.

This massive reference thoroughly analyzes the mechanisms implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma, such as T helper lymphocyte subsets, and the consequences of various extrinsic and intrinsic factors, and IgE receptor expression-reviewing current concepts in immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of this and other allergic diseases. Investigates the only category of treatment showing the potential to affect the natural course of allergic diseases and prevent the onset of asthma. Written by more than 80 internationally renowned pulmonary experts, allergic disease specialists, and basic researchers, Immunotherapy in Asthma discusses the efficacy of new medications examines the role of metachromatic cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and other cell types present in bronchial biopsies presents basic topics such as the functional and phenotypic properties of Th1 and Th2 cells and their role in allergic disease and the regulation of IgE-mediated inflammatory responses addresses the deleterious effects of smoking and passive exposure to cigarette smoke in children and adults assesses differences and similarities between intrinsic and antigen-induced asthma describes the effects of immunogenic peptides on the cytokine production profile of allergen-specific CD4+ T cells explains the different clinical aspects of allergic responses, such as bronchial hyperreactivity and eosinophilic inflammation of the airways reviews the genetic basis of allergy, as well as risk factors for asthma explores oral, sublingual, local nasal, and local bronchial routes for noninjective immunotherapies evaluates various agents with modulatory effects on normal and pathogenic immune responses focuses on strategies for the prevention of childhood asthma and more! Containing over 3000 references, drawings, and tables, Immunotherapy in Asthma is an indispensable resource for pulmonologists, immunologists, allergists, and medical school students in these disciplines.

Personalized medicine is a rapidly emerging area in health care, and asthma management lends itself particularly well to this new development. This practical resource by Dr. Stanley J. Szefler helps you navigate the many asthma medication options available to your patients, as well as providing insights into those which may be introduced within the next several years. Features a wealth of information on available asthma medications, including new immunomodulators, new responses to treatment, and new treatment strategies at all levels of asthma care. Prepares you to meet your patients’ needs regarding asthma exacerbation prevention and asthma prevention. Consolidates today’s available information and guidance in this timely area into one convenient resource.

In many areas of medicine physicians still face the great challenge of finding therapies that will meet the patients’ needs. In dermatology the challenge has arisen on multiple fronts through advances in the understanding of the immunopathogenesis of many inflammatory and malignant cutaneous disorders. Breakthroughs, combined with significant developments in targeted immunotherapy, have resulted in improved outcomes as these newer therapies are being used for both approved indications and as off-label therapies for various chronic inflammatory skin disorders and many forms of skin cancer. In the expectation that by truly understanding the safety profile of these targeted therapies patients’ outcomes will be significantly improved, this book offers insights into topics such as adverse reactions, infectious complications and the perioperative use of biologics in psoriasis, immunogenicity of biologic therapies, paradoxical reactions, safety of biologics used to treat autoimmune bullous diseases and primary cutaneous lymphomas, adverse reactions and skin manifestations of therapies targeting melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer and other neoplastic diseases. Eminent researchers with extensive clinical experience have contributed to this publication, providing an in-depth overview of the latest knowledge in this field.