Khaberni - Long-acting biologics may represent a breakthrough in the lives of tens of thousands of Britons suffering from chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), a debilitating condition that leads to permanent nasal discharge, loss of smell, and a significant decline in quality of life.
This month, the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved two new biological drugs, dupilumab and tezepelumab, allowing them to be available for private purchase.
Meanwhile, dupilumab is still under assessment for approval to be included in National Health Service (NHS) services, with tezepelumab to be re-evaluated this coming January.
These treatments have shown a clear ability to reduce the growth of nasal tissues, alleviate symptoms, and reduce the need for steroid pills or repeated surgical interventions.
A common disease with debilitating symptoms
Estimates suggest that about 11% of adults in the UK suffer from chronic sinusitis, a condition that causes continuous nasal discharge, loss of smell and taste, facial pressure, and sleep disturbances, alongside post-nasal drip.
In more severe cases, patients suffer from CRSwNP, where nasal polyps grow inside the airways, potentially preventing the smell signals from reaching the brain, leading to partial or complete loss of sense of smell, according to the Daily Mail.
Limited treatment options and increasing risks
Treatment usually starts with steroid sprays, antihistamines, or steroid pills, and surgery may be recommended to remove polyps if drug treatments fail. However, many patients experience symptom recurrence shortly after, while long-term steroid use is associated with severe complications such as osteoporosis, weight gain, and cardiovascular issues.
Data indicates that about half of the patients who do not respond to drug therapy are forced to undergo functional endoscopic surgery to remove the polyps and their roots.
Biological treatments.. A different approach
Biological treatments target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation and are given as monthly or biannual injections, depending on the drug type.
Professor Rami Salib, a specialist in nose and sinus disorders, confirms that "the increasing evidence from clinical trials and real-world use suggests that these drugs are capable of improving symptoms, restoring the sense of smell, and reducing the need for repeated surgeries".
