Mepolizumab asthma treatment failure due to refractory airway eosinophilia, which responded to benralizumab

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies directed against interleukin (IL)‐5, such as mepolizumab and benralizumab, are an effective and established treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. Here, we present a patient with eosinophilic asthma with a partial clinical response to mepolizumab initially, as measu...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alistair Cook, John Harrington, Jodie L. Simpson, Peter Wark
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-05-01
Series:Respirology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.742
Description
Summary:Abstract Monoclonal antibodies directed against interleukin (IL)‐5, such as mepolizumab and benralizumab, are an effective and established treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. Here, we present a patient with eosinophilic asthma with a partial clinical response to mepolizumab initially, as measured by these biomarkers, who when investigated was found to have refractory airway eosinophilia. Escalation of the mepolizumab dose led to further but still only partial response. A treatment trial with benralizumab was more successful and led to suppression of airway eosinophilia. We review the literature, focusing on eosinophil biology at the tissues and the different mechanisms of action of the two agents.
ISSN:2051-3380