Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
A Reversible, Non-invasive Method for Airway Resistance Measurements and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Sampling in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2010
Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab in Eosinophilic COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized
Rahul Bisht1,2, Arusha Desai1, Esteban Marcelo Mogrovejo Carrión3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-5, a key mediator in eosinophilic inflammation, in reducing moderate-to-severe exacerbations among patients with eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Data Sources:
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched using the terms: "Mepolizumab," "COPD," "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease," for randomized controlled trials comparing subcutaneous mepolizumab (100 mg every 4 weeks) with placebo in patients with eosinophilic COPD from inception till July 2025.
Study Selection And Data Extraction:
Randomized controlled trials comparing subcutaneous mepolizumab with placebo in adults with eosinophilic COPD were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data. Finally, 4 studies with a total of 1953 patients were included. Of these, 978 (50.0%) received mepolizumab.
Data Synthesis:
Statistical analysis was performed using R software (version 4.5.0). Mepolizumab significantly prolonged the time to first moderate or severe exacerbation (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-0.92; P = 0.016) and reduced the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations (rate ratio 0.80; 95% CI 0.78-0.83; P < 0.001). The risk of adverse events (AEs) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.00; 95% CI 0.95-1.06; P = 0.962) was similar between groups, while the risk of serious adverse events or death (RR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.72-0.96; P = 0.031) was significantly lower in the mepolizumab group.Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice in Comparison With Existing Drugs:Mepolizumab provides a targeted, biomarker-guided treatment option, potentially reducing exacerbations without the added safety concerns like infections and metabolic complications as seen with existing therapies.
Conclusion And Relevance:
Mepolizumab reduces the time to first moderate or severe exacerbation and prolongs symptom-free periods in patients with eosinophilic COPD, without increasing the risk of AEs.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
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...
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
01:19Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations