Super-responders to anti-IL-5/anti-IL-5R are characterised by high sputum eosinophil counts at baseline

Thorax. 2023 Nov;78(11):1138-1141. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2022-219781. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Abstract

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that anti-IL-5(R) biologics were able to improve lung function, asthma control and chronic oral corticosteroid exposure and reduce exacerbations among eosinophilic asthmatic patients. However, a certain variability in clinical responses to anti-IL-5(R) biologics was brought to light. Our study aimed at evaluating the role of baseline sputum eosinophils in identifying super-responders to mepolizumab and benralizumab. Our study reinforces the importance to examine sputum eosinophils in patients suffering from severe asthma before starting a biologic as it is associated with the intensity of response to mepolizumab and benralizumab.

Keywords: Asthma.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Asthma* / drug therapy
  • Biological Products*
  • Eosinophilia*
  • Eosinophils
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-5 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-5 / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5 / immunology
  • Sputum

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Biological Products
  • mepolizumab
  • benralizumab
  • Interleukin-5
  • Receptors, Interleukin-5