Experts Refined Asthma Treatment Approaches in September
New research shows how identifying specific inflammation patterns can improve care for adults with severe asthma.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Asthma
Live Poll
Should clinicians prioritize inflammatory phenotyping before escalating chronic illness treatment?
At the European Respiratory Society Congress 2026 in Barcelona, researchers presented data on asthma exacerbations and treatment strategies. These findings help clinicians better tailor therapies for patients who continue to experience asthma symptoms despite biologic treatment.
Why it matters
Understanding the specific inflammatory phenotype of an exacerbation allows clinicians to avoid unnecessary treatment escalation. This shift ensures patients receive the most targeted therapy for their underlying biological drivers.
Data presented from studies like the BenRex cohort and TezEx trial evaluated blood, nasal, and sputum samples to phenotype exacerbations in patients receiving biologics. Findings indicate diverse drivers of residual asthma symptoms that require precise characterization.
The players
European Respiratory Society
A leading international organization that promotes lung health and advances research in respiratory medicine.
The details
Clinicians identify inflammatory phenotypes through biomarker profiling, which analyzes biological samples to determine the cause of persistent symptoms. The process involves comparing blood, nasal, and sputum samples to see if an exacerbation is driven by eosinophils, neutrophils, or bacterial infections like Haemophilus influenzae. By isolating these specific triggers, doctors can determine if a patient needs a different medication rather than simply increasing the dose of their current biologic.
Timeline
The European Respiratory Society Congress 2026 was held in September 2026.
The TezEx trial data was accessed on October 6, 2026.
Health Landscape
This development marks a shift toward precision medicine in respiratory care, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to asthma management. It builds on large-scale investigations like the ORACLE2 study, which analyzed over 7000 patients to identify exacerbation risk factors.
If you have severe asthma, these findings emphasize the importance of discussing specific biomarker testing with your physician during a follow-up appointment. Knowing your inflammatory profile may help your care team identify why current biologic treatments might not be fully controlling your symptoms.
The takeaway
Residual asthma symptoms are often driven by different biological factors than initial presentations, making accurate phenotyping essential. Patients should track their symptoms and ask their physician about the potential role of biomarker testing if their current treatment plan is not providing relief.
Further reading
For more information on managing your respiratory health, visit our Asthma section.
More information
View the official TezEx study information page for full trial details.
Live Poll
Should clinicians prioritize inflammatory phenotyping before escalating chronic illness treatment?
