All posts by Amity Westcott-Chavez

APFED Blog: Research Roundup, December 2024

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This blog post is a research roundup of recent publications on eosinophilic diseases, including summaries, links, and citations for the following articles:

Characteristics of Severe Asthma With Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

A study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice suggests that EGPA is more common in people with severe asthma. It underscores for healthcare providers the importance of checking for additional symptoms in people who have high levels of eosinophils and working with other specialists to ensure proper care.

Youxin Puan, Kheng Yong Ong, Pei Yee Tiew, Gabriel Xu Wen Chen, Neville Wei Yang Teo, Andrea Hsiu Ling Low, Michael E. Wechsler, Mariko Siyue Koh. Characteristics of Severe Asthma Clinic Patients With Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 2024, ISSN 2213-2198.

Game-changing Asthma Attack Treatment with Benralizumab

Benralizumab (Fasenra®) is a biologic treatment that made recent headlines after a study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine showed that giving patients an injection during an asthma flare-up was 30% more effective than the current standard treatment with steroid tablets, reducing the need for additional care. While benralizumab is already used in low doses as a long-term treatment for severe asthma, the trial demonstrated that a single higher dose at the time of a flare-up could provide powerful and immediate relief.

Ramakrishnan, Sanjay et al. Treating eosinophilic exacerbations of asthma and COPD with benralizumab (ABRA): a double-blind, double-dummy, active placebo-controlled randomised trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 2024.

Mepolizumab May Improve Underlying Airway Changes Associated with Asthma

A new study shows promising results for people with severe asthma using a treatment called mepolizumab (Nucala®). After a year of treatment, patients breathed better, had fewer asthma attacks, and showed signs of healing in their airways. The medicine not only helped with symptoms but also seemed to repair some of the damage asthma had caused to their lungs. This research suggests that mepolizumab could be a powerful tool for managing severe asthma and potentially improving the long-term health of patients’ airways.

Domvri K, Tsiouprou I, Bakakos P, Steiropoulos P, Katsoulis K, Kostikas K, Antoniou KM, Papaioannou AI, Rovina N, Katsaounou P, Papamitsou T, Pastelli N, Tryfon S, Fouka E, Papakosta D, Loukides S, Porpodis K. Effect of Mepolizumab in airway's remodelling in patients with late-onset severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2024 Nov 7:S0091-6749(24)01168-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.10.024. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39521278.

Seasonal Patterns in Eosinophilic Esophagitis-Related Emergency Department Visits: A National Database Analysis

A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology looked at seasonal variations in EoE-related emergency department (ED) visits among adults. The authors report that among more than 18,000 EoE-related ED visits, they observed a significant seasonal variation that peaked in summer and lowering in winter. They also noted that the pattern was consistent across all U.S. regions, and that seasonal dietary habits and social behaviors likely contribute to EoE exacerbations.

Pan, Chun-Wei MD1,a; Dominguez, Alejandro Nieto MD1; Guifarro, Daniel MD1; Danpanichkul, Pojsakorn MD2; Pang, Maoyin MD, PhD3,a. Seasonal Patterns in Eosinophilic Esophagitis-Related Emergency Department Visits: A National Database Analysis. The American Journal of Gastroenterology ():10.14309/ajg.0000000000003226, November 26, 2024. | DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003226

Study Looks at Impact of Cannabis Use on Eosinophilic Esophagitis Treatment Outcomes

Researchers recently studied how cannabis use affects people with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) by examining 983 patients, of whom 80 reported cannabis use. Most cannabis users consumed the substance daily through inhalation.

They found that initially, cannabis users displayed milder esophageal inflammation, with fewer endoscopic signs of EoE. However, post-treatment analysis revealed these patients experienced greater inflammatory responses compared to non-users, despite similar symptom and histological improvements. This suggests that cannabis might make EoE harder to treat which could negatively affect EoE treatment outcomes.

Borinsky SA, Weir AA, LaFata SS, Gee TS, Thel HL, Cameron BA, Xue AZ, Kiran A, Ocampo AA, McCallen J, Lee CJ, Redd WD, Barlowe TS, Kaakati RN, Cotton CC, Eluri S, Reed CC, Dellon ES. Impact of cannabis use on presentation and treatment response in eosinophilic esophagitis. Diseases of the Esophagus. 2024 Oct 3:doae080. doi: 10.1093/dote/doae080. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39363563.

APFED Announces Two 2024 HOPE Pilot Grant Award Recipients

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(Atlanta, GA)— The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is proud to announce that, thanks to the generosity of donors, the organization has awarded two 2024 HOPE Pilot Grant Awards. This year’s grant recipients are David A. Hill, MD, PhD, and Marie-Pier Tetreault, PhD. Drs. Hill and Tetreault will each receive $100,000 from APFED for a two-year project. The grant recipients were announced on Friday, July 12 at APFED’s EOS Connection Patient Education Conference on Eosinophil-Associated Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland.

Grant recipient Dr. David Hill of the Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, received funding for his project entitled, “Development of Novel Diagnostics for the Identification of EoE-causal Foods.”

Dr. Hill’s team has been engaged in the development of new diagnostics that seek to accurately identify foods that cause eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The funded project will study three new minimally invasive blood tests that are designed to identify immune responses to soy, wheat, and egg. If successful, these tests will aid doctors and families in identifying and avoiding causal foods, accelerating the diagnostic and treatment process from years to months.

“This work will improve our understanding of allergen-specific T cell responses in patients with EoE while providing critical data for the next generation of EoE diagnostic tools,” shared Dr. Hill.  “The findings have the potential to fundamentally change the clinical management of EoE and positively impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients living with this debilitating eosinophilic disorder.”

The other recipient of APFED’s HOPE Pilot Grant Award is Dr. Marie-Pier Tetreault, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, who received funding for her project entitled, “Investigating Treatment Effects on Molecular Targets of Basal Cell Hyperplasia/Adaptive Differentiation for Advanced Personalized Therapies in Eosinophilic Esophagitis.”

Dr. Tetreault’s project aims to explore how certain key proteins involved in cell development influence the severity and treatment response of EoE. Specifically, her research seeks to understand the regulatory mechanisms of basal cell hyperplasia persistence after treatment. By better understanding these processes, her team hopes to develop new treatments that could more effectively manage symptoms and improve outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.

“My team is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute significantly to the diagnostics and treatment of EoE through the APFED Hope 2024 funding,” shared Dr. Tetreault. “We believe our findings will lead to novel treatment strategies, providing much-needed relief to those afflicted by this complex condition.”

Recipients of APFED’s HOPE Pilot Grant Award are chosen through a competitive peer-review process, which is how premier scientific funding agencies like the National Institutes of Health ensure top-level research in the field is funded. The grant was established to support researchers as they initiate new, innovative projects relevant to eosinophil-associated diseases that are likely to be impactful.

An ad-hoc committee of volunteer peer reviewers, experts in the field of eosinophil-associated disease research, review and score each proposal APFED receives for funding consideration. This rigorous process helps APFED to identify the best research that will have the biggest impact to best to direct donor dollars.

APFED is grateful for donors and community fundraisers that have supported the HOPE on the Horizon Research Grant Program. The advances toward a better understanding of eosinophil-associated diseases, non-invasive and accurate diagnostics, and therapeutic targets are not possible without the generosity of donations to this program.

About the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy. www.apfed.org

 

 

Patient Education Conference on Eosinophil-Associated Diseases Comes to Washington, DC Area and Online July 11-13, 2024  

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EOS Connection 2024 is a hybrid conference featuring expert-led sessions and networking opportunities

(Atlanta, GA)— Patients, families, caregivers, experts, and advocates will soon gather at the 2024 EOS Connection conference, a unique event designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and needs.

Taking place July 11-13, the event offers both online and onsite participation in Bethesda, Maryland, making it accessible to all interested in learning more about eosinophil-associated diseases. This year marks the 22nd year that the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) has hosted this annual patient education conference for families living with these conditions.

Collaborating on this year’s EOS Connection conference is the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disorders, the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers, Mount Sinai Center for Eosinophilic Disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York City, and the Multidisciplinary Eosinophilic GI Disease Clinic at University of Virginia.

Eosinophil-associated diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by elevated levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in one or more specific areas of the body. The elevated number of eosinophils causes inflammation and damage to surrounding tissues and organs. These conditions require lifelong medical care and symptoms can be debilitating.

The conference will provide a patient-centered program that highlights important information in the clinical and research areas.  Attendees will learn the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophil-associated diseases, research updates, and practical strategies to help people better manage their condition.  The conference also provides social opportunities for families and special programming for children and teens who attend onsite.

“APFED strives to empower patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education, support, and advocacy,” said APFED Executive Director Mary Jo Strobel. “EOS Connection provides a vital platform for sharing the latest advancements and fostering a strong, supportive community. We are excited to offer both onsite and virtual participation options this year, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate and engage.”

APFED is working with a number of Education Partners, including Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda, to bring this opportunity to patients and families.

“We’re proud to partner again with the APFED for the EOS Connection Patient Conference,” said Piya Sircar, US Head of Rhinology, Gastroenterology, & Allergy at Sanofi. “The conference not only provides valuable education and resources but also fosters a sense of unity and collaboration within the patient community.”

“Sponsoring this important patient conference aligns with our commitment to patients and research into eosinophilic esophagitis and other eosinophil-associated diseases,” said Amr Radwan, Executive Director of Global Medical Affairs for Immunology and Inflammation at Regeneron. “We thank APFED for their ongoing advocacy and education efforts, and we are looking forward to the incredible conference program ahead.”

“We believe in the power of community and knowledge-sharing, which is why we are delighted to support the EOS Connection Conference in bringing together patients, their families and healthcare professionals to gain a deeper understanding of eosinophil-associated diseases and advancements in patient care,” said Jackie Henze, vice president, head of the GI Rare Franchise and New Product Launches, Takeda.

Other Education Partners supporting in the event include but are not limited to AstraZeneca, Ellodi Pharmaceutical, Bristol Myers Squibb™, and Reckitt Mead Johnson Nutrition.

To learn more and register for EOS Connection 2024, please visit: apfed.org/conference.

About the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy.  https://www.APFED.org

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APFED Announces Recipient for 2024 HOPE APFED/AAAAI Grant Award

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Funded study seeks to improve outcomes in children with allergic diseases by using the Esophageal String Test to screen for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)

ATLANTA, GA —The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) announced that the 2024 HOPE APFED/AAAAI Grant Award has been awarded to Maureen Bauer, MD, FAAAAI, Associate Professor of Pediatrics Section of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology, Children’s Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado School of Medicine. The award was presented during the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) held in Washington, D.C., February 23-26, 2024.

Dr. Bauer is the recipient of a $140,000 grant over a two-year term for her promising research study titled “Improving Outcomes and Equity through Targeted Screening for Eosinophilic Esophagitis­­­­.” The Hope APFED/AAAAI Grant Award will be funded equally between APFED and the AAAAI. The award is the result of a collaborative effort between APFED and AAAAI and was established in 2013 to enable investigators who are AAAAI members to initiate projects relevant to eosinophil-associated diseases.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus characterized by an abnormal accumulation of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the esophageal tissue. The esophageal string test is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure in which a small, easy-to-swallow capsule containing a string is used to measure inflammation in the esophagus. This helps doctors understand the extent of inflammation in patients and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.

With this research grant, Dr. Bauer will use the esophageal string test to see how well it can detect EoE in children who have other allergic conditions. Her study will also help determine patient and provider acceptability of using the esophageal string test to screen for EoE.

Dr. Bauer’s project is a collaboration between the allergy and gastroenterology communities and exemplifies how collaborative science leads to innovation and can improve patient outcomes. This research aims to provide important preliminary data necessary to assess the impact of screening for EoE using the esophageal string test on healthcare cost, esophageal fibrostenosis, and health disparities.

“Supporting new research is a key part of APFED’s mission, and we are thrilled to offer this award once again in partnership with AAAAI,” said APFED Executive Director Mary Jo Strobel. “The HOPE APFED/AAAAI Grant Award recipients have represented a broad range of perspectives in the study of eosinophil-associated disorders, and Dr. Bauer’s project shows great promise with a goal of improving patient outcomes and equity through more targeted screening. We are grateful to the APFED donors who made this award possible.”

“At present, the diagnosis of EoE is often delayed, particularly to those from disadvantaged backgrounds, so it is my hope that this grant will allow for a more cost effective and readily available screen for EoE to alleviate health disparities within pediatric EoE,” said Dr. Bauer.

APFED’s competitive research grant program, HOPE on the Horizon, is supported entirely by donations to APFED. For more information, please visit apfed.org.

About the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy. www.apfed.org.

About the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is the leading membership organization of more than 7,100 allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and other professionals with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic and immunologic diseases. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 7,100 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries and is the go-to resource for patients living with allergies, asthma and immune deficiency disorders. www.aaaai.org/

APFED Announces 2024 AAAAI Abstract Award Recipients

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Two recipients are recognized for best-scoring abstracts focused on eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs)

ATLANTA, GA — The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) announced the recipients of the 2024 AAAAI/APFED Best Abstract on EGIDs Awards for research presented during the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) held in Washington, D.C. February 23-26, 2024.

The 2024 AAAAI/APFED Best Abstract on EGIDs recipients are Edsel M. Abud, MD, PhD, Scripps Clinic, for his abstract entitled, “Dysregulated Adenosine Pathway Decreases Fibroblast Homeostatic Function in Eosinophilic Esophagitis” and Nicole L. Wolfset, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, for her abstract entitled, “Dupilumab Reduces T-cell Antigen-Specific Response in Eosinophilic Esophagitis.”

Dr. Abud’s abstract presented data that suggests EoE fibroblasts have reduced CD73 expression and enzymatic activity as well as increased basal migration compared to normal fibroblasts, suggesting that changes in EoE fibroblast homeostatic functions are in part due to dysregulated CD73 activity.

Dr. Wolfset’s abstract presented data suggesting that dupilumab may reduce memory T cell proliferation to specific food antigens over time.

The AAAAI/APFED Best Abstract on EGIDs Awards honor outstanding research abstracts on eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs).  APFED funds the $750 awards to help enable researchers travel to present their findings more broadly to their peers. Abstract award winners may go on to successfully compete for grants from APFED or from other funding mechanisms.

The awards were made possible thanks to the generous donations to APFED’s HOPE on the Horizon Research Program. For more information or to make a donation, visit apfed.org.

About the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED)

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to passionately embrace, support, and improve the lives of patients and families affected by eosinophil-associated diseases through education and awareness, research, support, and advocacy. apfed.org