Mepolizumab for difficult-to-control asthma with persistent sputum eosinophilia.

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.