Effect of Tezepelumab on Barrier Function in Severe Asthmatic Patients With and Without Comorbid Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Provision of informed consent prior to any study specific procedures
• •2. Age 18-99 years and willing to participate in the study
• •3. Have a recorded clinical diagnosis of asthma (ICD-10 Code: J45)
• •4. Undergo severe asthma treatment according to GINA/DAL treatment step 4 or 5
• •5. Meet the requirements for treatment of severe asthma with Tezepelumab defined as:
• •* severe asthma that remains uncontrolled despite a high dosage of ICS/LABA, or that requires a high dose to prevent it from becoming uncontrolled. One of the following criteria needs to be fulfilled:
• •* ACT \<20, ACQ\>0.75
• •* During the last 12 months 2 courses of OCS for at least 3 days due to severe asthma symptoms
• •* During last 12 months one exacerbation requiring hospitalization
• •* Lung function: FEV1 \<80% predicted
• •* FeNO ≥ 20 ppB
• •* had either ≥250 eosinophils /µl measured in the blood OR measurement of blood eosinophils ≥150 cells during reduction of OCS dosing or high dose ICS and/or one measurement of sputum eosinophils \> 2% or BAL eosinophils \> 2%
• •* Group with polyps: Presence of nasal polyps as confirmed by endoscopy or CT according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps Guidelines
• •6. mucus score of ≥ 1
• •7. Patients with a history of treatment with monoclonal antibodies for asthma or polyps will only be included if at least a washout period of 3 half-lives or 3 months have passed (whichever is longer)