Severe eosinophilic asthma: from the pathogenic role of interleukin-5 to the therapeutic action of mepolizumab

Mepolizumab is an anti-interleukin-5 (IL-5) humanized monoclonal antibody that has been recently approved as an add-on biological treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma, by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Moreover, mepolizumab is also current...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drug design, development and therapy development and therapy, 2017-01, Vol.11, p.3137-3144
Main Authors: Pelaia, Corrado, Vatrella, Alessandro, Busceti, Maria Teresa, Gallelli, Luca, Terracciano, Rosa, Savino, Rocco, Pelaia, Girolamo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allergies
Asthma
Biological treatment
Bone marrow
Care and treatment
Cell activation
Clinical trials
Complications and side effects
Corticoids
Corticosteroids
Cytokines
Dosage and administration
Drug therapy
Eosinophils
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
IL-5
Immunotherapy
Interleukin 5
Kinases
Leukocytes (eosinophilic)
Mepolizumab
Monoclonal antibodies
Physiological aspects
Regulatory agencies
Respiratory diseases
Review
severe eosinophilic asthma
Signal transduction
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Summary:Mepolizumab is an anti-interleukin-5 (IL-5) humanized monoclonal antibody that has been recently approved as an add-on biological treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma, by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Moreover, mepolizumab is also currently included within the step 5 of the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, as an add-on therapy for severe uncontrolled asthma. The relevant therapeutic benefits detectable in patients with refractory eosinophilic asthma receiving mepolizumab depend on the pivotal pathogenic role played by IL-5 in these subjects. Indeed, IL-5 is the key cytokine responsible for maturation, activation, proliferation, and survival of eosinophils. Therefore, IL-5 represents a strategic molecular target for anti-eosinophilic treatments. By selectively inhibiting the biological actions of IL-5, mepolizumab provides a valuable therapeutic option for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, refractory to standard treatments including inhaled and even systemic corticosteroids. In particular, the very important advantages linked to the use of mepolizumab in these difficult-to-treat asthmatic individuals have been well documented by several different trials performed worldwide.
ISSN:1177-8881
1177-8881
DOI:10.2147/dddt.s150656