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Add-on azithromycin reduces sputum cytokines in non-eosinophilic asthma: an AMAZES substudy.

Shakti Dhar ShuklaSteven L TaylorPeter G GibsonDaniel BarkerJohn W UphamIan A YangPaul N ReynoldsSandra HodgeAlan L JamesGeraint B RogersJodie L Simpson
Published in: Thorax (2021)
Add-on azithromycin (AZM) significantly reduces exacerbations in poorly controlled asthma irrespective of disease phenotype. In a predefined substudy of the original AMAZES protocol (500 mg, three times a week for 48 weeks), we report that AZM treatment reduces key sputum inflammatory proteins (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and extracellular DNA), which is more evident in non-eosinophilic asthma (NEA). Moreover, AZM reduced Haemophilus influenzae load only in NEA. Our data support the anti-inflammatory effects of AZM in poorly controlled asthma. Prospective studies are required to identify patients that derive greatest benefit from AZM add-on therapy.
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