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BMC Pulmonary Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Anti-IL-5 therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma – clinical efficacy and possible criteria for treatment response

Authors: Nora Drick, Benjamin Seeliger, Tobias Welte, Jan Fuge, Hendrik Suhling

Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) antibodies represent a promising therapeutic option for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. To date, no official treatment response criteria exist. In this study, simple criteria for treatment response applicable to all asthma patients were used to evaluate clinical efficacy and predictors for treatment response in a real-life setting.

Methods

Data from 42 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with mepolizumab for at least six months were analysed. Simple criteria to assess treatment response in clinical practice were used: increase of FEV₁ ≥ 12% or ≥ 200 ml, reduction of blood eosinophils (< 150/μl or < 80% from baseline) and improvement of subjective condition (patient-judged subjective improvement or worsening following therapy). Patients were considered treatment responders if two criteria were fulfilled.

Results

Thirty-two out of 42 patients (76% [61–87%]) were classified as responders. Within the groups (responder vs non-responder), treatment with mepolizumab led to significant increase in FEV₁ (+ 600 ml vs -100 ml, p = 0.003), oxygenation (+ 8 mmHg vs -3 mmHg, p = 0.001), quality of life (visual analogue scale; + 28% vs − 5%, p = 0.004) and Asthma Control Test (+ 8 vs + 1 points, p = 0.002). In the responder group a significant decrease in the exacerbation rate over 12 months (1.45 vs 0.45, p = 0.002) was observed. Baseline characteristics (sex, BMI, smoking history, allergies, baseline level of eosinophils) did not predict treatment response.

Conclusion

Using improvement of lung function, decrease of eosinophils and improvement of subjective condition as response criteria, 76% of treated patients could be classified as treatment responders, demonstrating the efficacy of anti-IL-5 therapy in clinical practice.

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Title: Anti-IL-5 therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma – clinical efficacy and possible criteria for treatment response
Authors: Nora Drick
Benjamin Seeliger
Tobias Welte
Jan Fuge
Hendrik Suhling
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Pulmonary Medicine / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2466
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-018-0689-2

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Anti-IL-5 therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma – clinical efficacy and possible criteria for treatment response

Abstract

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Methods

Results

Conclusion

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