Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Real-life effectiveness of mepolizumab in patients with severe refractory eosinophilic asthma and multiple

Claudia Crimi¹, Raffaele Campisi¹, Giulia Cacopardo²

¹Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Catania, Italy.

The World Allergy Organization Journal

|September 30, 2020

Abstract

Background:

Data on mepolizumab in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (EA) and comorbidities are needed to assess whether randomized controlled trial results are applicable in the real world.

Objective:

To evaluate real-life effectiveness and the presence/absence of predictors of treatment response in patients with one or more comorbidities (nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome, obesity, bronchiectasis) who received mepolizumab (MEPO) for the treatment of severe EA.

Methods:

We performed a single-center retrospective study in patients with severe asthma and presence of comorbidities treated with mepolizumab at the respiratory outpatient clinic, Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele, Catania, Italy. Health records of 31 severe asthmatic patients were retrieved and analyzed. Asthma control test (ACT) score, blood eosinophil count, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), FEV₁% of predicted and FEV₁/FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) ratio, oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage, and exacerbations were recorded at baseline (T0), after 3 (T1), 6 (T3), 9 (T6), and 12 months (T12). Clinical response was defined when 3 of these 4 criteria were fulfilled: i) 30% exacerbation decrease; ii) 80% blood eosinophilia reduction; iii) 3 point ACT increase; iv) FEV₁ increase ≥200 mL.

Results:

83.87% of patients were classified as responsive to MEPO treatment. Substantial depletion of the blood eosinophils (>80%) was found in 87.1% of patients, FEV₁ > 200 mL was seen in 54.84% of patients, a 3-point ACT improvement from baseline was recorded in 80.65% 25 of patients and a 30% reduction of exacerbations rates was seen in 96.77% of patients. Moreover, the majority 38.71% of patients met 3/4 parameters after 12 months. Neither the comorbidities nor other characteristics (sex, BMI, age, smoking) influenced treatment response.

Conclusions:

MEPO in patients with severe EA is effective regardless of the presence of comorbidities.

Keywords:

ACT, Asthma Control Test BMI, Body Mass Index DREAM, Dose Ranging Efficacy And safety with Mepolizumab EA, Eosinophilic Asthma ECRS, Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis ERS/ATS, European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society FEV1, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s FEV1/FVC, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s/Forced Vital Capacity ratio FVC, Forced Vital Capacity GERD, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease GINA, Global INitiative for Asthma IL-5, Interleukin-5 IQR, Interquartile Range IgG, Immunoglobulin G MEPO, Mepolizumab Mepolizumab Multiple comorbidities NARES, Non Allergic Rhinitis with Eosinophilia Syndrome OCS, Oral Corticosteroid RCTs, Randomized Controlled Trials RV, Residual Volume SD, Standard Deviation SEM, Standard Error Mean Severe eosinophilic asthma T0, baseline T1, 3 months after baseline T12, 12 months after baseline T3, 6 months after baseline T6, 9 months after baseline

More Related Videos

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice

A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2010

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma

Murine Model of Allergen Induced Asthma

Published on: May 14, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Antiasthma 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...

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Antiasthma 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:

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...

Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines

Antiasthma Drugs: Methylxanthines

Theophylline, a member of the methylxanthine class of bronchodilators, has long been used in asthma management. While its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, it is believed to have multiple effects on various cellular processes.
Theophylline is thought to inhibit phosphodiesterase enzymes, increasing intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This rise in cAMP and cGMP concentrations stimulates cardiac function,...

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

Asthma-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:

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Heterogeneity in Self-Reported Management of Blunt Chest Trauma: An International Cross-Sectional Survey.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Switching from mepolizumab to benralizumab in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Chest·2026

Sublingual allergen immunotherapy: evidence from randomized trials, real-world studies and meta-analyses.

Frontiers in allergy·2026

Bronchial Wall T2-Weighted MRI Signal: An Emerging Investigational Non-Ionizing Imaging Biomarker in Severe Asthma.

Biomedicines·2026

Benralizumab in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Toward Disease Control and Evolving Treatment Paradigms.

Journal of inflammation research·2026

Opening the black box of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation: bringing upper airway physiology to the bedside.

ERJ open research·2026

See all related articles