Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Reslizumab for poorly controlled, eosinophilic asthma: a randomized, placebo-controlled study
Mario Castro1, Sameer Mathur, Frederick Hargreave
1Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. castrom@wustl.edu
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
|August 20, 2011
Summary
Reslizumab, an antibody targeting IL-5, improved airway function and reduced sputum eosinophils in patients with eosinophilic asthma. The treatment showed a trend toward better asthma control and was well-tolerated.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Eosinophilic asthma is defined by persistent airway eosinophils.
- Interleukin-5 (IL-5) drives eosinophil activation and survival.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of reslizumab, an IL-5 antibody, in poorly controlled eosinophilic asthma.
- To evaluate reslizumab's impact on asthma control and eosinophil levels.
Main Methods:
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
- Patients received reslizumab (3.0 mg/kg) or placebo intravenously at baseline and Weeks 4, 8, 12.
- Primary endpoint: change in Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score from baseline to Week 15.
Main Results:
- Reslizumab significantly reduced sputum eosinophils (95.4% vs 38.7%, P = 0.007).
- Improvements in FEV1 (0.18 L vs -0.08 L, P = 0.002) and a trend in ACQ score (-0.7 vs -0.3, P = 0.054) were observed.
- Significant ACQ improvement in patients with nasal polyps (-1.0 vs -0.1, P = 0.012).
Conclusions:
- Reslizumab demonstrated significant reductions in sputum eosinophils and improved lung function.
- A trend towards better asthma control was noted with reslizumab compared to placebo.
- Reslizumab was generally well-tolerated in patients with eosinophilic asthma.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...