Abstract
Mepolizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that neutralises interleukin-5, reduces exacerbations of severe eosinophilic asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1, 2]. The beneficial effect of treatment is most obvious in patients with a raised peripheral blood eosinophil count, a group who are at high risk of exacerbation off treatment [2, 3]. Even in this population, exacerbation rates whilst receiving mepolizumab are around one per patient per year. The nature of these remaining exacerbations has not been described. We carried out a post hoc comparison of exacerbations occurring during treatment with mepolizumab or placebo in a previously reported, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of mepolizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma [1]. We tested the hypothesis that exacerbations in each group differ with respect to change in symptom scores, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and inflammatory profile.
Original language | English |
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Journal | European Respiratory Journal |
Volume | 52 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Dec 2018 |
Keywords
- Anti-Asthmatic Agents/administration & dosage
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage
- Asthma/diagnosis
- Disease Progression
- Double-Blind Method
- Humans
- Treatment Outcome