Anti-interleukin-5 antibody therapy in asthma and allergies

Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Dec;11(6):565-70. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0b013e32834c3d30.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Interleukin 5 (IL-5) has been shown to play an instrumental role in eosinophilic inflammation in allergic diseases. The purpose of this review is to explore clinical trials of anti-IL-5 antibody therapy that have been conducted in patients with asthma, hypereosinophilic syndromes, eosinophilic esophagitis, atopic dermatitis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and nasal polyposis.

Recent findings: Recent trials of anti-IL-5 in patients with severe asthma refractory to existing therapies and prominent sputum eosinophilia experienced significant reductions in asthma exacerbations. Studies in patients with hypereosinopihilic syndromes have shown that IL-5 antagonism allows significant reductions in systemic corticosteroid doses while maintaining or improving blood eosinophil counts and symptoms. In children and adults with eosinophilic esophagitis, anti-IL-5 treatment reduced eosinophil numbers in esophageal tissue; it is uncertain whether these findings are predictive of clinical improvement. Clinical studies of individuals with atopic dermatitis do not support efficacy of anti-IL-5 in either reducing allergen patch test intensity or symptoms of chronic dermatitis. In small trials in both Churg Strauss syndrome and nasal polyposis, anti-IL-5 shows promise but larger numbers of patients with these conditions will need to be studied.

Summary: Anti-IL-5 is efficacious in treating patients with severe asthma and sputum eosinophilia and hypereosinophilic syndromes. Larger controlled trials with appropriate endpoints will be necessary to assess the role of anti-IL-5 in other eosinophilic disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / therapeutic use*
  • Asthma / drug therapy*
  • Asthma / immunology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Disease Progression
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis
  • Eosinophils / drug effects
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / drug therapy*
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Interleukin-5 / immunology*
  • Nasal Polyps

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Interleukin-5