Sabina A Antoniu1. 1. Pulmonary Disease University Hospital, Division of Pulmonary Disease, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr T Popa, Iasi, Romania. sabina.antonela.antoniu@pneum.umfiasi.ro
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In asthma, anti-inflammatory therapy can usually reduce airway eosinophilic inflammation; but in certain subgroups this persists despite maximal therapy, and disease control is suboptimal. Mepolizumab is an anti IL-5. antibody that might reduce airway inflammation in such subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety data on mepolizumab in two studies performed in patients with refractory and corticosteroid-dependent asthma with persistent sputum eosinophilia. Mepolizumab given intravenously once a month was able to reduce sputum/blood eosinophilia and asthma exacerbations and to improve quality of life. CONCLUSIONS:Mepolizumab may be a promising anti-inflammatory therapy in asthma subgroups with heavy eosinophilic load in which conventional anti-inflammatory therapy is only partially effective.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: In asthma, anti-inflammatory therapy can usually reduce airway eosinophilic inflammation; but in certain subgroups this persists despite maximal therapy, and disease control is suboptimal. Mepolizumab is an anti IL-5. antibody that might reduce airway inflammation in such subgroups. METHODS AND RESULTS: Evaluation of the efficacy and safety data on mepolizumab in two studies performed in patients with refractory and corticosteroid-dependent asthma with persistent sputum eosinophilia. Mepolizumab given intravenously once a month was able to reduce sputum/blood eosinophilia and asthma exacerbations and to improve quality of life. CONCLUSIONS:Mepolizumab may be a promising anti-inflammatory therapy in asthma subgroups with heavy eosinophilic load in which conventional anti-inflammatory therapy is only partially effective.