Benralizumab for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older with an eosinophilic phenotype. Issue 7 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al Efraij, Khalid; FitzGerald, J. Mark
• Is Part Of: Expert review of clinical pharmacology. Volume 11:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 669
• Page End: 676
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Benralizumab -- IL-5 -- biologics -- asthma -- MEDI-563; Clinical pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1496819
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-2433

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : Asthma is an airway disease characterized by airway inflammation. It is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and costs to the health-care system and society. Eosinophils and interleukin-5 (IL-5) play a key role in the inflammatory response in T-helper 2-high asthma. IL-5 is pivotal for eosinophil development, maturation, and survival in tissues. Asthma severity has been related to both airway and peripheral blood eosinophilia. Areas covered : In this review, we present the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of benralizumab in addition to efficacy and safety data in the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. Expert commentary : Benralizumab is a potent biologic targeting the IL-5 receptor on eosinophils and basophils leading to depletion of target cells in peripheral blood and tissues. It is effective in reducing asthma exacerbations and has an oral corticosteroid-sparing effect in the treatment of asthma patients who are not controlled with medium-to-high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists. The side effect profile is similar to placebo with the most reported adverse events being nasopharyngitis and worsened asthma in the pivotal trials. Its long-term safety is currently under investigation.