For many living with severe asthma, daily life can feel like a balancing act between managing symptoms and coping with the side effects of treatment. Tezspire (tezepelumab) is a newer biologic medication approved for add-on maintenance treatment in adults and adolescents with severe corticosteroid-dependent asthma. It offers a new approach, particularly for those with corticosteroid-dependent asthma, by targeting a key underlying inflammatory pathway. A recent clinical study has shown it can significantly reduce the need for oral steroids while maintaining or even improving asthma control, marking an important step forward in managing this challenging condition.
The challenge of long-term oral corticosteroid use
When severe asthma doesn’t respond to standard inhaled therapies, doctors often prescribe oral corticosteroids (OCS) to manage inflammation and prevent severe attacks. While effective in the short term, relying on these medications for long periods comes with a heavy price. This dependence on oral corticosteroids can lead to a wide range of serious and sometimes irreversible health issues.
- Significant side effects: Long-term OCS use is linked to an increased risk of diabetes, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), cardiovascular disease, weight gain, and cataracts.
- Reduced quality of life: Beyond the physical side effects, the ongoing need for steroids and the constant threat of exacerbations can significantly impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being.
- The goal of treatment: A primary goal in managing chronic severe asthma is to gain control of symptoms while minimizing or eliminating the need for long-term oral steroids. Your physician will always be the one to guide your treatment plan and any changes to it.
A breakthrough for corticosteroid-dependent asthma: Tezspire
Tezspire (tezepelumab) works differently from many other asthma medications. It is a monoclonal antibody that targets and blocks thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a signaling protein that sits at the top of several inflammatory cascades. Think of TSLP as a master alarm that triggers multiple inflammatory responses in the airways. By blocking TSLP, Tezspire helps to quiet these pathways, reducing airway inflammation and asthma exacerbations across a broad range of patients with severe asthma, regardless of their specific type of inflammation (e.g., eosinophil levels).
Evidence from the Phase 3 SUNRISE trial
The significant benefit of Tezspire for patients with corticosteroid-dependent asthma was highlighted in the Phase 3 SUNRISE trial. This study focused specifically on adults who relied on daily oral corticosteroids to manage their severe asthma.
- Reduced steroid dependence: The results, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, showed that patients treated with Tezspire were nearly three times more likely to achieve a significant reduction in their daily OCS dose compared to those receiving a placebo, all while maintaining asthma control.
- Complete cessation: Remarkably, 35% of patients treated with Tezspire were able to stop using oral corticosteroids completely, compared to 21% in the placebo group.
- Improved clinical outcomes: Beyond reducing the dependence on oral corticosteroid use, Tezspire also led to fewer asthma exacerbations and improvements in lung function, asthma control, and overall health-related quality of life. This demonstrates that patients can lower their steroid burden without losing control of their asthma.
How Tezspire compares to other asthma treatments
The landscape of asthma treatment includes several types of medications. Biologics like Tezspire represent a targeted approach for severe disease, while combination inhalers are the foundation of maintenance therapy for many. Understanding their differences is key to appreciating where Tezspire fits in a modern treatment plan, which should always be developed in consultation with your doctor.
| Treatment | How it works | Pros | Cons | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tezspire (tezepelumab) | A biologic that blocks TSLP, a key cytokine at the top of the inflammatory cascade. | Effective for a broad range of severe asthma patients. Significantly reduces need for oral corticosteroids. | Administered by injection; can be expensive without insurance or other sourcing options. | Add-on maintenance for severe asthma not controlled by other medications. |
| Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) & Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABA) | ICS reduces airway inflammation; LABA relaxes airway muscles to keep them open. Examples include Symbicort and Advair. | Effective for many with moderate to persistent asthma. Convenient inhaled delivery. | Not sufficient for all severe cases. Can have local side effects like thrush. | Daily maintenance therapy for persistent asthma. |
| ICS/LABA/LAMA (Triple Therapy) | Adds a Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA) to ICS/LABA to further open airways. Examples include Trelegy Ellipta. | More bronchodilation than dual therapy. Single inhaler for convenience. | Increased complexity and potential for side effects. For more advanced disease. | Step-up therapy for patients not controlled on ICS/LABA. |
| Combination ICS/LABA | Combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator in a single device. An example is Breo Ellipta. | Convenient once-daily dosing. Powerful combination for controlling symptoms and inflammation. | May not be suitable for those with milk protein allergies. Not for acute rescue. | Long-term, once-daily maintenance treatment of asthma. |
| Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) only | Reduces inflammation directly in the airways. An example is Qvar. | Effective foundational treatment. Targets airway inflammation. | Does not provide immediate relief or bronchodilation. Not a rescue inhaler. | First-line controller therapy for persistent asthma. |
Sourcing reliable asthma medication
For patients managing long-term conditions like chronic severe asthma, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of medication is paramount. This is especially true for advanced treatments like Tezspire, where treatment continuity is critical for maintaining control and preventing exacerbations. Sourcing from a trusted provider ensures you receive the exact branded medication prescribed by your doctor.
IsraelPharm operates as a licensed international pharmacy, adhering to strict regulatory oversight. This ensures the legitimacy and safety of the medications it dispenses. For patients on a carefully managed treatment plan for corticosteroid-dependent asthma, this reliability provides peace of mind, knowing that access to their prescribed therapy will not be interrupted by local stock shortages or other supply chain issues.
How to access Tezspire through IsraelPharm
If your physician has prescribed Tezspire to help manage your severe asthma, you can source this medication directly through IsraelPharm. This provides a straightforward path to accessing this advanced biologic therapy, often at a significant cost saving compared to US retail prices.
IsraelPharm specializes in providing access to the exact brand-name medications prescribed by doctors, ensuring you receive Tezspire, not a substitute. This is a crucial element of treatment integrity. For patients on long-term treatment programs, this access is paired with an emphasis on ensuring continuity of care, with a reliable supply delivered directly to your home. This removes the stress of managing refills and navigating potential local shortages.
The process is designed for patient safety and regulatory compliance. A valid prescription from a licensed physician is required for all orders. As a licensed international pharmacy, IsraelPharm facilitates access to medications that support the treatment plan you have developed with your healthcare provider, without altering your doctor’s oversight of your care.
Further reading
- Severe Asthma Information: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- Tezspire FDA Approval Information: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- Treating Asthma Smarter: IsraelPharm blog
- When Asthma and COPD Occur at the Same Time: IsraelPharm blog
Frequently asked questions
Does Tezspire work differently from inhalers like Symbicort or Advair?
Tezspire is a biologic drug that works by targeting a specific protein (TSLP) high up in the inflammatory cascade, preventing multiple downstream inflammatory pathways. Inhalers like Symbicort and Advair are combination therapies containing an inhaled corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) to relax airway muscles. While inhalers work directly on the airway surface, Tezspire works systemically to interrupt the underlying biology of severe asthma, making it a different and more targeted approach for patients whose disease is not controlled by inhaled therapies alone.
Can I stop using oral steroids completely with Tezspire?
The SUNRISE clinical trial showed that a significant number of patients could reduce or even completely stop their use of oral corticosteroids after starting Tezspire. In the trial, 35% of patients on Tezspire were able to eliminate oral steroids entirely, compared to 21% on placebo. However, this must always be done under the strict supervision of your doctor. Your physician will create a gradual tapering plan while monitoring your asthma control to ensure it is done safely and effectively. Never stop taking oral steroids on your own.
What makes someone a good candidate for Tezspire treatment?
Tezspire is approved for patients aged 12 and older with severe asthma as an add-on maintenance treatment. It is typically considered for individuals whose asthma remains uncontrolled despite using high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus at least one other controller medication. A key advantage of Tezspire is that it is effective across a broad range of severe asthma patients, including those with both high and low levels of inflammatory markers like eosinophils. Your doctor will determine if you are a good candidate based on your symptoms, exacerbation history, and current treatment regimen.
What were the main findings of the SUNRISE trial for Tezspire?
The SUNRISE trial focused on patients with severe, oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Its primary finding was that Tezspire treatment led to significantly greater reductions in daily oral corticosteroid doses compared to a placebo, all while maintaining asthma control. Patients taking Tezspire had nearly triple the odds of achieving a larger dose reduction. The study also confirmed that Tezspire reduced asthma exacerbation rates and improved lung function and quality of life, even as patients were weaning off steroids. This demonstrated the drug’s potent steroid-sparing effect.
Are there serious side effects associated with long-term oral corticosteroid use?
Yes, long-term or frequent use of oral corticosteroids is associated with a substantial risk of serious side effects that can affect the entire body. These can include metabolic issues like weight gain and diabetes, skeletal problems such as osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, cardiovascular diseases, cataracts and glaucoma, and increased susceptibility to infections. The goal of modern severe asthma care is to control the disease effectively while minimizing this “steroid burden” and its associated health consequences, which is why steroid-sparing treatments like Tezspire are so valuable.
Glossary
- Biologic: A type of medication derived from living organisms that targets specific molecules or cells involved in disease processes.
- Bronchodilator: A medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways, helping to widen them and make breathing easier.
- Corticosteroid: A class of drugs that lowers inflammation in the body, used to treat conditions like asthma.
- Cytokine: A type of small protein that acts as a messenger between cells and plays a critical role in the immune system.
- Exacerbation: A sudden worsening of symptoms, commonly referred to as an asthma attack, that may require urgent treatment.
- Monoclonal antibody: A laboratory-produced molecule designed to recognize and bind to a specific target, such as a protein in the body.
- Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP): An epithelial cytokine released in response to triggers, initiating a broad inflammatory response associated with asthma.
