Mepolizumab and exacerbations of refractory eosinophilic asthma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exacerbations of asthma are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and with considerable use of health care resources. Preventing exacerbations remains an important goal of therapy. There is evidence that eosinophilic inflammation of the airway is associated with the risk of exacerbations.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of 61 subjects who had refractory eosinophilic asthma and a history of recurrent severe exacerbations. Subjects received infusions of either mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody (29 subjects), or placebo (32) at monthly intervals for 1 year. The primary outcome measure was the number of severe exacerbations per subject during the 50-week treatment phase. Secon

SUBMITTER: Haldar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3992367 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature