Impact of atopic status, prior omalizumab use and baseline blood eosinophil count alone and in combination with total serum IgE on maintenance OCS reduction outcomes in patients with severe asthma treated with mepolizumab in the REALITI-A study

Abstract

Prérequis/contexte

Maintenance OCS (mOCS) are commonly used for patients with severe asthma, despite well-recognized adverse event risk. Biologics have facilitated reduced mOCS reliance, e.g., the IL-5 inhibitor mepolizumab reduced mOCS dependence in patients with asthma in clinical trials and real-world studies.

Objectifs

This post hoc analysis of REALITI-A explored 2-year mOCS outcomes for patients receiving mOCS at baseline stratified by prior treatment with/eligibility for omalizumab, baseline blood eosinophil count (BEC) and serum total IgE and atopic status. Outcomes included 2-year change from baseline mOCS daily dose.

Méthodes

REALITI-A was a 2-year international, prospective, single-arm, real-world study enrolling patients with asthma newly prescribed mepolizumab (index date).

Résultats/discussions

Of 822 REALITI-A patients, 320 (38.9%) were receiving mOCS at baseline and 168 also had mOCS daily dose data after 2 years. Of patients who could be assessed for omalizumab eligibility (n = 114; 54 could not be assessed), 56% who were eligible at baseline had 100% reduction in mOCS daily dose after 2 years, versus 58% who were ineligible. Omalizumab use was associated with a numerical trend towards smaller proportion of patients with 100% mOCS daily dose reduction (48% with vs 59% without). More patients with BEC ≥300 cells/μL (67%) achieved 100% mOCS withdrawal than BEC <300 cells/μL (47%). For BEC/IgE, the proportion of patients with 100% reduction in mOCS use was highest for ≥300 cells/μL/≥81 KU/L (73 vs 55% for <300 cells/μL/ < 81 KU/L, 47% for <300 cells/μL/≥81 KU/L and 56% for ≥300 cells/μL/ < 0.81 KU/L). Among the patients with atopic status, 62% had 100% reduction in mOCS daily dose versus 67% without. Median mOCS dose reduction was ≥70% regardless of omalizumab use/eligibility, baseline BEC (/IgE), or atopic status.

Conclusion

These results reinforce mepolizumab effectiveness in severe asthma, demonstrating that real-world treatment is associated with mOCS independence regardless of prior biologic use and biomarkers.