Anti-IL5 Monoclonal Antibodies Reduce Asthma Exacerbations and Corticosteroids Dose in Three Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Case Reports

• Published in: Mediterranean journal of rheumatology Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 238 - 244
• Main Authors: Skouvaklidou, Elpida, Kipourou, Maria, Zisopoulos, Dimitrios, Vounotrypidis, Periklis, Katsoulis, Konstantinos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology (MJR) 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Case-Based Review
• ISSN: 2529-198X; 2529-198X
• DOI: 10.31138/mjr.34.2.238

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystem necrotizing small and medium-sized vessel vasculitis with eosinophilic adult-onset asthma as part of its spectrum. Therapeutic choices include corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and novel immunomodulators. Mepolizumab and benralizumab are monoclonal antibodies targeting Interleukin-5 (IL-5), which plays a leading role in every stage of production and maturation of eosinophils and are recently undergoing evaluation and administered in steroid-dependent, relapsing and/or refractory EGPA. Herein we describe the cases of three patients with a prior EGPA diagnosis, experiencing frequent asthmatic exacerbations despite oral and inhaled corticosteroid treatment (two patients) and adverse effects of corticosteroids (one patient). Two patients are under treatment with mepolizumab and one patient with benralizumab as an add-on supplemental regimen. In our case series anti-IL5 monoclonal antibodies proved efficient asthma-controlling and corticosteroid-sparing agents.