Reduction of oral corticosteroids in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with Benralizumab: could it represent a marker of treatment efficacy?

Abstract

Introduction: Subjects with severe Th2-high endotype usually respond to oral corticosteroids (OCS). However, they often require high dosages with incremental side effects and health-care costs. The advent of biological therapies provides an effective strategy to improve asthma control, as well as reduce OCS use. Various molecules have been developed, each targeting different pathways. We analyzed the two anti-IL-5 strategies, benralizumab and mepolizumab, based on pivotal trials (RCTs), mechanisms of action and their possible role on the steroid-sparing effect. Areas covered: This review analyzes the data from the benralizumab and mepolizumab RCTs, focusing on the advantages of each drug on clinical efficacy and the steroid-sparing effect. Expert opinion: Benralizumab may represent a promising therapeutic option in the treatment of eosinophilic asthma, due to its mechanism of action, which rapidly allows a reduction in the eosinophils' number, and a greater steroid-sparing effect.

• Authors: Francesco Menzella, Manuela Latorre, Patrizia Ruggiero, Diego Bagnasco, Enrico Heffler
• Journal: Expert opinion on biological therapy (Expert Opin Biol Ther) Vol. 19 Issue 7 Pg. 601-606 (07 2019) ISSN: 1744-7682 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31033373 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
• Biomarkers
• benralizumab
• mepolizumab

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Asthma (drug therapy, immunology)
• Biomarkers (metabolism)
• Eosinophils (metabolism)
• Humans
• Respiratory Tract Infections (etiology)
• Treatment Outcome