Oral Glucocorticoid–Sparing Effect of Benralizumab in Severe Asthma

The use of benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha subunit of the interleukin-5 receptor, allowed patients with asthma who were dependent on oral glucocorticoids to reduce the glucocorticoid dose to a greater extent than those who received placebo. Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects an estimated 315 million persons worldwide. 1 Approximately 5 to 10% of persons with asthma have a severe form of disease that is usually managed with high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids and bronchodilators. 2 , 3 Within this group, 32 to 45% of persons rely on frequent or maintenance use of oral glucocorticoid therapy. 4 , 5 Oral glucocorticoid therapy adversely affects health-related quality of life, 6 and effective alternative therapies without severe adverse effects are needed. Eosinophilic inflammation is a key part of asthma, and increased numbers of circulating and airway eosinophils are accompanied by . . .