Table 1 Treatments with biological drugs currently being approved for severe asthma with their target, age of registration, effects and relevant reference studies

 omalizumab

anti-IgE mAb

≥ 6 years (EMA)

≥ 6 years (FDA)

↓ asthma exacerbations

↓ asthma hospitalizations

↑ asthma control

↓ oral corticosteroids

↑ quality of life

[16] [17] [18]

[19] [20] [21]

[22] [23] [24]

 mepolizumab

anti-IL-5 mAb

≥ 12 years (EMA)

≥ 6 years (FDA)

↓ asthma exacerbations

↑ asthma control

↓ systemic corticosteroids

↑ pulmonary function

[33] [34] [35]

[36] [37] [38]

 reslizumab

anti-IL-5 mAb

≥ 18 years (EMA)

≥ 18 years (FDA)

↓ asthma exacerbations

↑ asthma control

↑ pulmonary function

↑ quality of life

[41] [42] [43]

[44]

 benralizumab

anti-IL-5Rα

mAb

≥ 18 years (EMA)

≥ 12 years (FDA)

↓ asthma exacerbations

↑ asthma control

↓ oral corticosteroids

[45] [46] [47]

[48] [49] [50]

 dupilumab

anti-IL-4Rα

mAb

≥ 12 years (EMA)

≥ 12 years (FDA)

↓ asthma exacerbations

↑ pulmonary function

[51] [52] [53]

[54] [55]