Type 2-low Asthma: Epidemiology, Multiomics, and Emerging Therapies
Abstract Purpose of Review Type 2-low (T2-low) asthma, characterized by low blood and sputum eosinophils and low fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), remains a major unmet need because of frequent corticosteroid insensitivity and a lack of targeted therapies. This review summarizes recent advances in its epidemiology, multiomics, and therapeutic landscape. Recent Findings T2-low inflammation is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 14%–39% of adults with current asthma and up to 60% of children. Its pathogenesis reflects complex non-T2 mechanisms, including IL-17 signaling, innate immune activation through IL-1β and IL-33, and neutrophilic inflammation. Heterogeneity is further shaped by systemic factors such as obesity and immunosenescence and by environmental exposures such as ozone. Among available therapies, long-term macrolides and the anti-TSLP biologic tezepelumab have shown significant efficacy in reducing exacerbations, whereas other pathway-specific interventions have yielded inconsistent clinical benefits. Emerging metabolic approaches, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, may offer additional promise. Summary Progress in T2-low asthma will require mechanism-based classification and clinically deployable biomarkers to align targeted therapies with specific biological drivers.
Authors
- P. Mendez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6395-7717)
- Juan Carlos Cardet
- Alanis Rosado
Institutions
- Eastern Virginia Medical School (US)
- University of South Florida (US)
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (US)
- Old Dominion University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
- Published
- 2026-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-026-01294-1
- Primary Topic
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00