World Asthma Day 2024: Focusing on Type 2 Inflammation, Sanofi Partners Across Sectors to Empower Asthma Patients for Better Control and Breath Freedom

May 7, 2024, Beijing, China — Every spring marks the peak season for acute asthma attacks. By late April and early May, trees and plants across many regions of China enter the flying catkin period, creating a "snow-like" scene in the air. Coupled with fluctuating temperatures between winter and spring and significant day-night temperature differences, respiratory clinics in multiple areas have seen a surge in asthma-related visits, with topics like "long queues for asthma patients in emergency rooms" frequently trending on social media.

Today is the 26th World Asthma Day, with the theme "Empowering Asthma Education." Data shows that the prevalence of asthma in people aged 20 and above in China is 4.2%, with a total of 45.7 million patients. Approximately 55%-70% of asthma patients have poor control over their condition. To help asthma patients recognize and address the reasons behind uncontrolled asthma and achieve scientific and standardized self-disease management, Sanofi has collaborated with the fitness platform KEEP to host the event "Regain the Freedom to Breathe, Achieve a Life Without Limits," while also launching the "Purple Balloon Initiative" patient support program in partnership with the Red Cross Foundation of China. These efforts aim to assist Chinese asthma patients in stabilizing their condition and breathing freely.

Cross-Border Collaboration, Innovative Science Communication Caring for "Poorly Controlled" Asthma Patients

Professor Huang Kewu, Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, affiliated with Capital Medical University, mentioned, "About 55%-70% of asthma patients in China are in a poorly controlled state. If asthma is not well-controlled over the long term, it can lead to more frequent acute attacks and significant lung function decline. When the seasons change or there are temperature fluctuations, patients may experience chest tightness and shortness of breath, and their daily activities can be severely restricted. During acute attacks, patients often experience breathing difficulties, which seriously affect their life, work, or study, and in severe cases, may even be life-threatening."

To help asthma patients manage their long-term condition effectively, Sanofi has partnered with KEEP, a sports technology platform, under the authoritative guidance of Professor Su Nan, Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, to develop a tailored exercise training program for asthma patients. This innovative science communication initiative is designed to truly meet the daily needs of patients and the general public, being easy to follow and understand. The program was launched on the KEEP app on April 23.

"Exercise is beneficial for improving lung function and controlling the condition of asthma patients. However, asthma patients often experience issues such as restricted breathing, making not all types of exercise suitable." As the advisory consultant for this program, Professor Su Nan stated, "Through full-body stretching and relaxation, combined with natural breathing, this program reduces physical tension while alleviating anxiety and stress, offering comprehensive relief for both mind and body. It is suitable for individuals with limited exercise capacity and those suffering from chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, aiding in the recovery of lung function and long-term disease management."

Debunking Misconceptions: Type 2 Inflammation Is the Main Reason for Poor Asthma Control

"Asthma treatment is characterized by long-term and continuous management, and the alleviation of symptoms does not mean that inflammation has disappeared on its own," stated Professor Huang Kewu. He explained that when the airways are in a state of inflammation, it can lead to repeated asthma attacks. Despite some patients using high-dose ICS-LABA treatment and maintaining good management, their asthma remains uncontrolled, or they experience worsening symptoms when attempting to reduce high-dose therapy. Professor Huang Kewu pointed out that as researchers both in China and internationally continue to delve deeper into the mechanisms behind asthma, Type 2 inflammation has been proven to be the primary reason for difficulties in achieving stable asthma control. Studies have shown that approximately 90% of asthma cases poorly controlled by medium- to high-dose ICS treatment are driven by Type 2 inflammation. This discovery provides an important basis for precision treatment of asthma. Since 2019, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines have classified asthma into Type 2 / non-Type 2 categories, with Type 2 inflammation becoming a crucial reference point for medication and disease management in asthma patients.

Professor Wang Wen, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

How to Identify the Presence of Type 2 Inflammation? Professor Wang Wen, Chief Physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, pointed out that current methods such as FeNO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing can be used for identification and diagnosis. The event also featured an experiential segment titled "One Breath to Distinguish Airway Inflammation," where a single exhalation could undergo FeNO testing to quickly identify Type 2 inflammation. Regarding the poor control of Type 2 asthma patients, Professor Wang Wen stated, "If Type 2 asthma patients still experience uncontrolled symptoms after using basic treatments like inhaled corticosteroids, individualized treatment targeting the root cause of Type 2 inflammation is necessary. For example, we now have innovative treatment options that precisely target the signaling pathways of core cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 driving Type 2 inflammation, suppressing Type 2 inflammatory responses at the source, thereby achieving the therapeutic goal of controlling asthma symptoms and reducing the risk of acute exacerbations."

Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) Testing

Joint Efforts to Help Asthma Patients Breathe Freely Again

"Operation Purple Balloon" Launch Ceremony

On Asthma Day, Sanofi also joined hands with the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to launch the "Purple Balloon Action" patient care project. Through a series of thematic educational activities, the project aims to provide asthma patients with extensive professional disease knowledge, helping them manage their asthma effectively, regain breathing freedom, and return to normal life.

Guo Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Red Cross Foundation

Guo Yang, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Red Cross Foundation, stated that the mission of the China Red Cross Foundation is to "protect life and health, and provide Red Cross emergency assistance at the grassroots level," always focusing on safeguarding human life and health. The report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasized advancing the Healthy China initiative, prioritizing the protection of people's health as a strategic development goal. Our shared focus on life and health forms the foundation of our collaboration with Sanofi. We look forward to the "Purple Balloon Action" patient care program helping asthma patients, whose conditions are not yet under control, better manage their illness, control asthma symptoms, and improve their quality of life.

How Can Patients Manage Asthma Long-Term in Daily Life? Professor Su Nan stated: "In addition to active treatment, asthma patients also need to focus on daily standardized management to prevent worsening of the condition or the occurrence of future comorbidities. On one hand, patients should maintain a light diet, dress warmly, and keep their living environment clean; on the other hand, when going out, they need to wear masks to avoid contact with possible allergens. Lastly, strengthening physical exercise is particularly important for improving immunity and enhancing physical fitness. Proper daily disease management, combined with personalized treatment, can help patients achieve better control."

Sanofi Specialty China General Manager Lily Xie said: "In recent years, immune-inflammatory diseases represented by type 2 inflammation have been on the rise, among which the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases is an important part of 'Healthy China'. Having deeply cultivated the Chinese market for more than forty years, Sanofi has always been committed to transforming medical practice, focusing on patient needs, and continuously accelerating the availability of transformative therapies to benefit the vast number of Chinese people. In the future, we will pursue scientific miracles, usher in a new era of immunotherapy, and collaborate with all parties in diverse and innovative ways to promote precision and standardized diagnosis and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases, enhance public health education, and bring more health benefits to Chinese patients, invigorating the brilliance of life."