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.


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.
Antoniu
Sabina A
SA
Pulmonary Disease University Hospital, Division of Pulmonary Disease, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr T Popa, Iasi, Romania. sabina.antonela.antoniu@pneum.umfiasi.ro
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; C434107:mepolizumab; D011241:Prednisone