O'Byrne PM

Aug 15, 2024 | erj.ersjournals.com | O'Byrne PM

IntroductionAsthma, caused by chronic airway inflammation, affects more than 300 million individuals worldwide, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries [1]. The prevalence of asthma varies across regions, with rates ranging from 0.9% to 29.0% [2]. The associated costs of emergency care and severe persistent disease contribute significantly to the overall economic and health burden on patients, families, and society [3].

Jun 20, 2024 | erj.ersjournals.com | O'Byrne PM |Godard PP |P. Jane McDowell |Ron McDowell

To the Editor:We read with interest the editorial “Clinical remission with biologic therapies in severe asthma: a matter of definition” [1]. We absolutely agree that the definition of clinical remission is of critical importance, and as with rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology, this is likely to be an iterative process.

Apr 4, 2024 | erj.ersjournals.com | Gauvreau GM |O'Byrne PM |Boulet LP |Richard Russell

IntroductionAsthma is a heterogeneous disease involving diverse underlying pathobiological mechanisms with different clinical manifestations, typically characterised by excessive inflammatory and bronchoconstrictor responses to the environment. Asthma occurs as a result of the interaction between environmental and host factors over time.

Mar 1, 2024 | openres.ersjournals.com | Catherine A. Byrnes |O'Byrne PM |Godard PP |Mark C. Holliday

MethodsThe STep-wise Anti-inflammatory Reliever Therapy Children's Asthma Research (START CARE) study is an investigator-initiated, 52-week, multicentre, open-label, parallel group, phase III, two-sided superiority randomised controlled trial (RCT) based in New Zealand (figure 1). The Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) is the sponsor of the study, which is conducted with support from AstraZeneca Ltd., by both supply of randomised medications and funding of the study.

Mar 9, 2023 | erj.ersjournals.com | Paul M O'Byrne |Gauvreau GM |O'Byrne PM |Boulet LP

ProceduresEcleralimab is formulated as a PulmoSol engineered powder in hard capsules and delivered to the lungs via a Breezhaler dry powder inhaler device, all provided by Novartis (Basel, Switzerland). Based on clinical and nonclinical safety data, a starting dose of 4 mg administered once daily for 12 weeks was expected to provide adequate pulmonary exposure to assess pharmacodynamic effects against allergen-induced airway responses.