Treating CRS with Biologics

Dr. Andrew Thamboo, MD, FRCSC, MHSc., Rhinology & Endoscopic Skull Base Surgeon Treating CRS with Biologics

Duration: 2 minutes 22 seconds

Biologics are drugs that patients will inject into their body to target a particular inflammatory marker that's causing their disease process. In the setting of sinuses, there are particular inflammatory markers that have been identified and biologics that have been made to target these inflammatory markers.

Biologics used for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps include dupilumab, omalizumab and mepolizumab. These medications help reduce the size of nasal polyps and improve the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis when used in conjunction with a steroid nasal spray or wash.

Biologics are very expensive medication that is used after an individual's done topical medical therapy as well as surgery and continues to have chronic sinus disease, in particular polyp disease. If a polyp recurrence happens within five years of their surgery despite adequate surgery, these individuals will be considered candidates for biologics.

Depending on the type of drug, a patient may inject themselves every second week or sometimes every month, or sometimes every six months depending on the drug that's prescribed for the patient.

Biologics represent a significant advance in the treatment of nasal polyps, especially for patients with asthma and those who have had recurrence of nasal polyps despite sinus surgery. Overall, the treatment with biologics in this situation is generally quite successful.

For more information on the use of Biologics in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your local health care provider of ENT specialist.

Presenter: Dr. Andrew Thamboo, Otolaryngologist, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Otolaryngologist