Add on Bacterial lysate therapy may improve asthma control and QoL

In a recent study, Siyang Yao and team have proposed that bacterial lysates, specifically OM-85, could serve as a valuable oral medication to improve and control asthma symptoms. While the efficacy of OM-85 in both adults and children has been debated, the new findings were published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease shed light on its potential benefits.

Conducted through a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the study examined the effects of OM-85 add-on therapy in asthma patients. The researchers searched multiple databases and included a total of 36 studies in their analysis.

The results of the analysis revealed that OM-85 add-on treatment led to a significant 24% improvement in asthma symptom control, as compared to control groups (relative rates = 1.24, 95% confidence intervals: 1.19–1.30).

Additionally, OM-85 demonstrated positive effects on lung function, T-lymphocyte levels, and subtypes. It also showed an increase in the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-12, which are essential for regulating immune responses.

Furthermore, the study found that OM-85 add-on treatment resulted in the suppression of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5. These findings indicate a potential reduction in allergic responses and inflammation associated with asthma.

Significantly, the researchers observed that the effects of OM-85 add-on therapy were more pronounced in asthmatic children compared to asthmatic adults. This suggests that OM-85 may hold greater clinical benefits for younger individuals.

These promising results highlight the potential of OM-85 as an effective adjunct therapy for asthma management. However, further studies are needed to explore its immunomodulatory functions and personalized treatment applications in asthma care. As the prevalence of asthma continues to rise globally, innovative approaches like OM-85 offer hope for improved symptom control and better quality of life for patients.

Reference:

Yao, S., Qin, R., Song, X., He, L., Lin, X., & Li, J. (2023). Bacterial lysate add-on therapy in adult and childhood asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In Journal of Thoracic Disease (Vol. 15, Issue 6, pp. 3143–3157). AME Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd-22-1469