Navigating biologic therapies in elderly asthma

The prevalence of asthma among the elderly population has witnessed a notable rise, presenting unique challenges in diagnosis and management. This comprehensive review explores the evolving landscape of biologic therapies for elderly asthmatics, emphasizing the need for future studies to focus on the distinctive characteristics of this demographic. Biologic therapies, such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, dupilumab, and tezepelumab, have demonstrated efficacy in targeting specific pathways associated with severe asthma in elderly individuals. Despite the considerable economic burden that this specific demographic imposes on society, the available body of research catering to this group is limited. This underscores the crucial need for intentional inclusion of elderly participants in clinical trials and research, aiming to augment the generalizability of findings and enhance therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, safety and efficacy consideration of biologic therapies in the elderly necessitate dedicated investigation to address potential barriers and optimize asthma management. This review highlights specific studies examining the effectiveness and safety profiles of these biologics in elderly populations, providing insights into their impact on lung function, exacerbation rates, and overall quality of life. Challenges associated with biologic therapy in elderly asthmatics, including dosing considerations, monitoring strategies, and adherence issues, are discussed. In summary, this review navigates the current landscape of biologic therapies for elderly asthmatics, offering valuable insights for various stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers, to advance asthma care in this vulnerable population. We propose that future research should concentrate on tailored, evidence-based approaches to address the undertreatment of elderly asthma patients.