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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Models to Investigate the Epithelial Barrier in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Published on: May 10, 2024
[Anti-interleukin-5 therapy for eosinophilic diseases]
D Simon1, L R Braathen, H-U Simon
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Inselspital, Universität Bern, 3010 Bern. dagmar.simon@insel.ch
Abstract:
In a number of diseases with eosinophilia, elevated interleukin (IL)-5 levels are detected in the peripheral blood and/or tissues. IL-5 plays an important role in regulating the production, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils. Therefore, neutralizing IL-5 by blocking antibodies seems a promising approach in the treatment of eosinophilic diseases. Clinical trials have demonstrated that anti-IL-5 therapy results in a rapid decrease in peripheral blood eosinophil numbers. Moreover, improvement of symptoms in patients with lymphocytic variants of hypereosinophilic syndromes, in eosinophilic esophagitis and chronic rhinitis with nasal polyposis has been observed. In contrast, in patients with bronchial asthma or atopic eczema, anti-IL-5 therapy showed only moderate or no clinical effects. Future studies will have to identify those eosinophilic diseases in which anti-IL-5 antibodies are effective, perhaps with the help of newly developed biomarkers.
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