Severe Eosinophilic Asthma Effectively Managed With Benralizumab

This article is part of MPR‘s coverage of CHEST 2018 meeting, taking place in San Antonio, TX. Our on-site staff will be reporting on the latest breaking research and clinical advances in infectious diseases. Check back regularly for highlights from CHEST 2018 meeting.

SAN ANTONIO — Patients with eosinophilic severe asthma found that benralizumab significantly improved asthma exacerbation rate, asthma control, asthma-related quality of life, and prebronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), according to the results of a comprehensive systematic review presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting, held October 6-10 in San Antonio, Texas.

Researchers conducted a literature search via PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, IPA, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 clinical trials that measured the effects of benralizumab as add-on treatment in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Outcomes of interest were Asthma Control Questionnaire scores, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, and prebronchodilator FEV₁ values.

Of the 1211 articles that were initial hits in the search, 3 — totaling 2730 participants — met inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Benralizumab was associated with a significant reduction in annual exacerbation rates. In addition, Asthma Control Questionnaire scores, Quality of Life Questionnaire scores, and FEV₁ were significantly improved in patients who received benralizumab. Adverse event rates were not statistically different than with placebo.

“This study provides evidenced-based recommendations for use of benralizumab in asthmatic patients with eosinophilia and [can] help direct current treatment guidelines,” the researchers wrote.

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Reference

Mahdavian M, Asghari S. Effects of benralizumab on the management of severe asthma. Presented at: CHEST Annual Meeting 2018; October 6-10, 2018; San Antonio, TX.

This article originally appeared on Pulmonology Advisor