The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice
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J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract · May 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of Potential Continuation Rules for Mepolizumab Treatment of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma.
Mepolizumab significantly reduces exacerbations in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. The early identification of patients likely to receive long-term benefit from treatment could ensure effective resource allocation. ⋯ There was no evidence of a reliable physician-rated response, ACQ-5 score, or lung function-based continuation rule. The added value of changes in blood eosinophils at week 16 over baseline was marginal. Initiation criteria for mepolizumab treatment provide the best method for assessing patient benefit from mepolizumab treatment, and treatment continuation should be reviewed on the basis of a predefined reduction in long-term exacerbation frequency and/or oral corticosteroid dose.