Mepolizumab Effectiveness in Severe Asthma With/Without Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps: Real‐World Pooled Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundSevere asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype (SAEP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are predominantly type 2‐driven diseases, characterised by eosinophilic inflammation and substantial disease burden. Mepolizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin‐5, a key cytokine in type 2 inflammation, is an effective, approved treatment both in SAEP and CRSwNP. We aimed to analyse real‐world evidence of mepolizumab effectiveness in patients with comorbid SAEP and CRSwNP.MethodsThis study pooled five existing, predominantly European cohorts to describe the impact of mepolizumab on the rate of clinically significant exacerbations (CSEs) and other outcomes in adults with SAEP without and with comorbid CRSwNP (SAEP[−]CRSwNP and SAEP[+]CRSwNP, respectively).ResultsOverall, 1037 patients were included. Baseline characteristics were similar in both cohorts. Mepolizumab was associated with a reduction from baseline in the annual rate of CSEs at 12‐months post‐initiation (SAEP[−]CRSwNP: 72.7%; SAEP[+]CRSwNP: 79.7%), irrespective of baseline blood eosinophil count (BEC). When patients with SAEP[+]CRSwNP were compared with patients with SAEP[−]CRSwNP, a 30.0% incremental benefit in the reduction of CSEs was observed. At 12‐months post‐initiation, mepolizumab was also associated with a reduction in oral corticosteroid use and BEC, and an improvement in lung function and Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores in both cohorts. Post‐mepolizumab initiation, ≥ 3 clinical remission criteria were fulfilled by 47.2% and 52.3% of patients with SAEP[−]CRSwNP and SAEP[+]CRSwNP, respectively.ConclusionsThe results provide a greater understanding of mepolizumab's effectiveness, demonstrating a substantial improvement in asthma outcomes, irrespective of baseline BEC and the presence of comorbid CRSwNP.