Asthma


Severe Asthma Program

The severe asthma clinic is located at the Robert B. Green Campus

The Severe Asthma Program team includes the following additional dedicated team members: a pulmonary pharmacist, Hansita Patel, PharmD and a respiratory therapist, Yolanda McGarry, RRT. The program focuses on the diagnosis of severe asthma and its mimickers, environmental control, asthma education and advanced therapies. There is an emphasis on evaluating and addressing coexisting conditions that may impact asthma control.  Available testing includes advanced radiology, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), bronchoprovocation testing, bronchoscopy, allergy testing, and serum biomarkers.  State-of-the-art treatments, such as biologicals and bronchial thermoplasty are available. The program includes a weekly/biweekly outpatient Severe Asthma Clinic and VA Pulmonary Clinic, working closely with the University Hospital Infusion Center, Endoscopy Center, and Respiratory Care Department.  Patients are encouraged to participate in ongoing clinical trials and registries at UT Health San Antonio and University Health System.

Medical Team

Diego J. Maselli, MD
Sandra G. Adams, MD
Jay I. Peters, MD

Pharmacy Team

Hansita Patel, Pharm D

Respiratory  Team

Yolanda McGarry, RRT

Selected publications

  • Estrada RA, Maselli DJ. In severe, uncontrolled asthma, tezepelumab reduced exacerbations over 1 y regardless of type 2 inflammation level. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Nov;176(11):JC128.
  • Chung Y, Maselli DJ, Mu F, Cook EE, Yang D, Young JA, Betts KA, Genofre E, Carstens D. Impact of benralizumab on asthma exacerbation-related medical healthcare resource utilization and medical costs: results from the ZEPHYR 2 study. J Med Econ. 2023 Jan-Dec;26(1):954-962.
  • Carstens D, Maselli DJ, Mu F, Cook EE, Yang D, Young JA, Betts KA, Genofre E, Chung Y. Real-World Effectiveness Study of Benralizumab for Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: ZEPHYR 2. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2023 Jul;11(7):2150-2161.e4.
  • Singh H, Peters JI, Kaur Y, Maselli DJ, Diaz JD. Long-term evaluation of response to omalizumab therapy in real life by a novel multimodular approach: The Real-life Effectiveness of Omalizumab Therapy (REALITY) study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2019 Nov;123(5):476-482.e1.
  • Maselli DJ, Hardin M, Christenson SA, Hanania NA, Hersh CP, Adams SG, Anzueto A, Peters JI, Han MK, Martinez FJ. Clinical Approach to the Therapy of Asthma-COPD Overlap. Chest. 2019 Jan;155(1):168-177.
  • Peters JI, Maselli DJ. Pooled RCTs: Adding LABAs to ICSs do not increase serious asthma events and reduce exacerbations. Ann Intern Med. 2018 Nov 20;169(10):JC53.
  • Maselli DJ, Rogers L, Peters JI. Benralizumab, an add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma: evaluation of exacerbations, emergency department visits, lung function, and oral corticosteroid use. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2018 Oct 23;14:2059-2068.
  • Maselli DJ, Hanania NA. Asthma COPD overlap: Impact of associated comorbidities. Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Oct;52:27-31.
  • Maselli DJ, Peters JI. In severe asthma, benralizumab reduced daily oral glucocorticoid dose and asthma exacerbations at 6 months. Ann Intern Med. 2017 Oct 17;167(8):JC43.
  • Maselli DJ, Adams SG, Peters JI, Levine SM. Management of asthma during pregnancy. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2013 Apr;7(2):87-100.
  • Maselli DJ, Singh H, Diaz J, Peters JI. Efficacy of omalizumab in asthmatic patients with IgE levels above 700 IU/mL: a retrospective study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Jun;110(6):457-61.
  • Peters JI, Stupka JE, Singh H, Rossrucker J, Angel LF, Melo J, Levine SM. Status asthmaticus in the medical intensive care unit: a 30-year experience. Respir Med. 2012 Mar;106(3):344-8.
  • Maselli DJ, Adams SG, Peters J. The role of anti-infectives in the treatment of refractory asthma. Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2011 Dec;5(6):387-96.