Page 71 - Portuguese Journal - SPORL - Vol 61. Nº1

Role of biological medicines in chronic

rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps -

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Review Article

Authors Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal
João Vila-Real-Fernandes polyps is an inflammatory disease associated with
Faculdade Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira high morbidity and quality of life impairment. The
Interior, Covilhã, Portugal aim of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of new
monoclonal therapies in the control of disease
Rui Cerejeira refractory to the available therapies and to discuss
Faculdade Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira
Interior, Unidade de Otorrinolaringologia da Beira Interior the multiple factors that should be taken into
(UOBI) Covilhã, Portugal consideration in the use of these types of drugs.
Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis
Rafaela Veloso-Teles on the efficacy of biological therapies in chronic
Faculdade Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. It was also
Interior, Unidade de Otorrinolaringologia da Beira Interior assessed, through a review of the relevant
(UOBI), Covilhã, Portugal literature, the cost-benefit of biologic treatments.
Results: In total, the meta-analysis included
11 randomized clinical trials that evaluated 4
monoclonal antibodies and all antibodies showed
improvement in quality of life and a positive
impact on the extent of the disease, despite its
huge economical burden.
Conclusion: In this systematic review, we were
able to verify that dupilumab was the monoclonal
antibody with the greatest impact, both on quality
of life and on the extent of the disease. However,
further studies are needed in the future to better
assess the long-term effect of these new therapies.
Furthermore, given the economic impact of its
use, it is imperative to efficiently assess which
patients benefit the most from biologic therapies.
Keywords: chronic rhinosinusitis; nasal polyps;
monoclonal antibodies; biologics

Introduction
According to the EPOS2020 - European
Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal
Polyps 2020 , chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), with
1
or without nasal polyps, is an inflammation of
the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and is
Correspondência: clinically defined in adults by the presence
João Vila-Real-Fernandes
jpvrf12@gmail.com of two or more symptoms, one of which
must be nasal obstruction/congestion or
anterior/posterior rhinorrhea, with the other
Article received on June 8, 2022.
Accepted for publication on January 2, 2023. symptoms being pain/pressure in the face

Volume 61 . Nº1 . March 2023 71