Lancet Respir Med

Inflammatory markers linked to severe exacerbations in moderate asthma

April 17, 2025

Study details: ORACLE2 was a patient-level meta-analysis of control groups from 22 randomized trials, aiming to identify inflammatory and clinical risk factors for asthma attacks. The analysis included data from 6,513 patients (aged 12 years or older) in the control arms of these trials, focusing on the relationship between type-2 inflammatory biomarkers and the risk of severe asthma exacerbations.

Results: Higher levels of blood eosinophils and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were significantly associated with an increased risk of severe asthma attacks. These biomarkers were identified as predictors of a higher risk, anti-inflammatory responsive phenotype, which is relevant for guiding treatment strategies.

Clinical impact: Findings underscore the importance of monitoring type-2 inflammatory biomarkers in patients with asthma to predict and potentially prevent severe exacerbations. This approach aligns with the goal of personalized treatment, allowing for targeted interventions that could reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Source:

Meulmeester FL, et al. (2025, April 8). Lancet Respir Med. Inflammatory and clinical risk factors for asthma attacks (ORACLE2): a patient-level meta-analysis of control groups of 22 randomised trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40215991/