title: Interleukin-5 Antagonists Usher in a New Generation of Asthma Therapy.
abstract: Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in the USA. A subset of patients with asthma have refractory symptoms, persistent eosinophilic inflammation, and recurrent exacerbations despite maximal medical therapy. The monoclonal antibodies targeting the IL-5 pathway are a new class of medications designed to target severe eosinophilic asthma. There are two medications clinically available: mepolizumab and reslizumab, both of which target IL-5. A third medication, benralizumab, is currently under development and targets the IL-5 receptor. Clinical data suggest these medications can reduce asthma exacerbations and improve lung function in patients with peripheral eosinophilia and poorly controlled asthma despite maximal medical therapy. The anti-IL-5 medications are among the first targeted molecular therapies for asthma and will usher in an exciting new era in the treatment of severe asthma.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St. Smith Building, 628, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
authors: Matthew P
authors: MP
authors: Giannetti
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St. Smith Building, 628, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. jcardet@partners.org.|Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA. jcardet@partners.org.
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Cardet
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015848:Interleukin-5; D053649:Receptors, Interleukin-5
keywords: Anti-IL-5; Benralizumab; Eosinophil; Interleukin-5; Mepolizumab; Reslizumab; Severe asthma