Overcoming Barriers to Remission in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma: Two-Year Real-World Data With Benralizumab.

BACKGROUND: Benralizumab has been reported to lead to clinical remission of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) at 1 year in some patients. However, whether this is maintained over a longer term remains unclear. Additionally, the impact of pulmonary and extrapulmonary comorbidities on the ability to meet remission is poorly understood. METHODS: Clinical outcomes including remission of SEA with benralizumab at 1 and 2 years were assessed retrospectively in a real-world UK multi-centre severe asthma cohort. The presence of clinically relevant pulmonary and extrapulmonary comorbidities associated with respiratory symptoms was recorded. Analyses to identify factors associated with the ability to meet remission were performed. RESULTS: In total, 276 patients with SEA treated with benralizumab including 113 patients who had switched from a previous biologic to benralizumab were included. Overall, clinical remission was met in 17% (n = 31/186) and 32% (n = 43/133) of patients at 1 and 2 years, respectively. This increased to 28% at 1 year and 49% at 2 years once patients with pulmonary and/or extrapulmonary comorbidities were excluded. Body mass index (BMI) and maintenance OCS (mOCS) use demonstrated a negative association with clinical remission at 1 (BMI: OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82-0.96, p < 0.01; mOCS: OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99, p < 0.05) and 2 years (BMI: OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99, p < 0.05; mOCS: OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this long-term, real-world study, patients with SEA demonstrated the ability to meet and sustain clinical remission when treated with benralizumab. The presence of comorbidities including obesity, which are known to be independently associated with respiratory symptoms, reduced the likelihood of meeting clinical remission.

Long-Term Effectiveness of Anti-IL-4R Therapy Following Suboptimal Response to Anti-IL-5/5R Therapy in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab is an anti-IL-4R monoclonal antibody (mAb) with proven efficacy in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). A suboptimal response to anti-IL-5/5R mAbs is seen in some patients with ongoing evidence of type 2 (T2) inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To understand whether targeting IL-13 pathways with dupilumab in these patients may lead to better clinical outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the extended clinical effectiveness of dupilumab up to 2 years of treatment in patients with SEA who had not responded adequately to anti-IL-5/5R biologics. The ability to achieve clinical remission and the change in the remission domains of exacerbation rate (AER), maintenance oral corticosteroid dose (mOCS), lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), and asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire 6) were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (mean age 41 years, 70% female) were included in the analysis. The mean (standard deviation) AER fell by almost 90% from 3.16 (1.28) at dupilumab initiation to 0.35 (0.72) after 1 year. The median (interquartile range) mOCS dose (n = 20) fell from 10 (5-25) mg to 0 (0-5) mg at 1 year, with 14 of 20 (70%) able to stop prednisolone altogether. Clinical remission was achieved in 16 of 37 (43%). Patients who achieved remission had a higher pre-IL-5/5R fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level (85 [39-198] parts per billion [ppb] vs 75 [42-96] ppb, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements in clinical outcomes are possible after a switch to dupilumab in patients experiencing a suboptimal response to anti-IL-5/5R therapies. A higher FeNO in poor responders to anti-IL-5/5R who achieve remission with dupilumab is suggestive of an IL-13-driven subphenotype of T2-high asthma in which the eosinophil appears unlikely to play a key role in the disease pathogenesis.

Long-Term Effectiveness of Benralizumab in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystemic disease characterized by eosinophilic tissue inflammation. Benralizumab, an anti-IL-5 receptor (anti-IL-5R) monoclonal antibody, induces rapid depletion of eosinophils; its longer-term effect in EGPA is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-world effectiveness and clinical remission rates of anti-IL-5R therapy in EGPA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients with EGPA, who commenced treatment with benralizumab. Clinical remission, assessed at 1 year and 2 years after the initiation of benralizumab, was defined as an absence of active vasculitis (Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score of 0) and an oral corticosteroid (OCS) dose of ≤4 mg/d of prednisolone. "Super-responders" were defined as patients in remission and free of any significant relapses (asthma or extrapulmonary) over the preceding 12 months. The corticosteroid-sparing capacity of benralizumab, patient-reported outcome measures, and characteristics associated with clinical remission and super-responder status were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients completed at least 1 year of treatment with benralizumab, of whom 53 completed 2 years. Of 70 patients, 47 (67.1%) met the definition for clinical remission at 1 year, with a similar proportion in remission at 2 years. Excluding asthma-related relapses, 61 of 70 (87.1%) patients were relapse free at 1 year, and of the 53 who completed 2 years, 45 (84.9%) were relapse free. A total of 67.9% of patients no longer needed any OCS for disease control. No significant difference was seen between antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive and ANCA-negative subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world setting of patients with EGPA, treatment with benralizumab was well tolerated and resulted in corticosteroid-free clinical remission for the majority of patients.

Type I conventional dendritic cells relate to disease severity in virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

RATIONALE: Rhinoviruses are the major precipitant of asthma exacerbations and individuals with asthma experience more severe/prolonged rhinovirus infections. Concurrent viral infection and allergen exposure synergistically increase exacerbation risk. Although dendritic cells orchestrate immune responses to both virus and allergen, little is known about their role in viral asthma exacerbations. OBJECTIVES: To characterize dendritic cell populations present in the lower airways, and to assess whether their numbers are altered in asthma compared to healthy subjects prior to infection and during rhinovirus-16 infection. METHODS: Moderately-severe atopic asthmatic patients and healthy controls were experimentally infected with rhinovirus-16. Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected at baseline, day 3 and day 8 post infection and dendritic cells isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Numbers of type I conventional dendritic cells, which cross prime CD8+ T helper cells and produce innate interferons, were significantly reduced in the lower airways of asthma patients compared to healthy controls at baseline. This reduction was associated serum IgE at baseline and with reduced numbers of CD8+ T helper cells and with increased viral replication, airway eosinophils and reduced lung function during infection. IgE receptor expression on lower airway plasmacytoid dendritic cells was significantly increased in asthma, consistent with a reduced capacity to produce innate interferons. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced numbers of anti-viral type I conventional dendritic cells in asthma are associated with adverse outcomes during rhinovirus infection. This, with increased FcεR1α expression on lower airway plasmacytoid DCs could mediate the more permissive respiratory viral infection observed in asthma patients.

Prescribing Patterns and Treatment Adherence in Patients with Asthma During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed a reduction in asthma exacerbations across the United Kingdom. Several factors may underpin this, including reduced transmission of seasonal viruses and improved adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). However, little is known about how ICS use has changed during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To identify prescribing patterns for asthmatics during the pandemic. METHODS: Using the OpenPrescribing database, we retrospectively analyzed prescribing patterns of ICS, salbutamol and peak flow meters from January 2019 to January 2021 across England. In addition, using a sample asthma cohort at 3 primary care practices in London, we assessed individual prescription patterns. RESULTS: A sharp increase in national ICS prescriptions occurred in March 2020 representing a 49.9% increase compared with February 2020. The sample cohort included 1132 patients (762 ICS treated across both years). Overall ICS adherence improved in 2020 (P < .001), with the proportion of patients meeting "good adherence" (≥75%) increasing from 33.9% to 42.0% (P < .001). The March 2020 spike predominantly reflected improved adherence rather than a hoarding effect of multiple inhalers. Female gender and increasing age were associated with the most significant improvements in adherence. A similar spike in salbutamol occurred in March 2020; however, an overall reduction in salbutamol prescriptions occurred in 2020 (P = .039). National figures highlighted a progressive increase in prescription of peak flow meters over 2020. CONCLUSION: ICS adherence rates remain low; however, a modest improvement in adherence was observed during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Salbutamol prescription rates reduced over the same time period, whereas prescriptions for peak flow meters have steadily increased.

Pulmonary Innate Lymphoid Cell Responses during Rhinovirus-induced Asthma Exacerbations In Vivo: A Clinical Trial.

Rationale: Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are significant sources of type 2 cytokines, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and asthma exacerbations. The role of ILC2s in virus-induced asthma exacerbations is not well characterized. Objectives: To characterize pulmonary ILC responses following experimental rhinovirus challenge in patients with moderate asthma and healthy subjects. Methods: Patients with moderate asthma and healthy subjects were inoculated with rhinovirus-16 and underwent bronchoscopy at baseline and at Day 3, and Day 8 after inoculation. Pulmonary ILC1s and ILC2s were quantified in bronchoalveolar lavage using flow cytometry. The ratio of bronchoalveolar lavage ILC2:ILC1 was assessed to determine their relative contributions to the clinical and immune response to rhinovirus challenge. Measurements and Main Results: At baseline, ILC2s were significantly higher in patients with asthma than in healthy subjects. At Day 8, ILC2s significantly increased from baseline in both groups, which was significantly higher in patients with asthma than in healthy subjects (all comparisons P < 0.05). In healthy subjects, ILC1s increased from baseline at Day 3 (P = 0.001), while in patients with asthma, ILC1s increased from baseline at Day 8 (P = 0.042). Patients with asthma had significantly higher ILC2:ILC1 ratios at baseline (P = 0.024) and Day 8 (P = 0.005). Increased ILC2:ILC1 ratio in patients with asthma correlated with clinical exacerbation severity and type 2 cytokines in nasal mucosal lining fluid. Conclusions: An ILC2-predominant inflammatory profile in patients with asthma was associated with increased severity and duration of rhinovirus infection compared with healthy subjects, supporting the potential role of ILC2s in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.

Real-World Effectiveness of Anti-IL-5/5R Therapy in Severe Atopic Eosinophilic Asthma with Fungal Sensitization.

BACKGROUND: Severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS) is a complex clinical phenotype associated with poorly controlled type 2 inflammation and significant morbidity from both the disease itself and a high steroid burden. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of biologic therapies targeting eosinophilic inflammation in SAFS. METHODS: We assessed the effectiveness of treatment with mepolizumab or benralizumab in patients with SAFS, and compared outcomes with patients with severe atopic asthma without fungal sensitization and patients with severe nonatopic asthma. Baseline clinical characteristics and clinical outcomes at 48 weeks were evaluated. A subgroup analysis was performed of patients who met the criteria for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) rather than SAFS. RESULTS: A total of 193 patients treated with mepolizumab (n = 63) or benralizumab (n = 130) were included. Patients with SAFS had higher baseline IgE level compared with patients with severe atopic asthma without fungal sensitization and severe nonatopic asthma (733 ± 837 IU/mL vs 338 ± 494 and 142 ± 171, respectively; both P < .001). There were no other significant baseline differences in clinical characteristics between groups. At 48 weeks, there were significant improvements in 6-item asthma control questionnaire score and exacerbation frequency, and reduction in maintenance oral corticosteroid dose across all groups (all P < .05). No significant between-group differences in outcomes were observed at 48 weeks. Patients with ABPA (n = 9) had a significant reduction in exacerbation frequency (P = .013) with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with eosinophil-targeting biologics led to improvements in exacerbation frequency, oral corticosteroid requirements, and patient-reported outcomes in patients with SAFS, with a reduction in exacerbations in the subgroup of patients with ABPA. These data highlight the potential clinical utility of targeting eosinophilic inflammation in SAFS and ABPA.

Real-World Effectiveness of Benralizumab in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Benralizumab is an IL5-receptor monoclonal antibody licensed for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). It has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials in reducing asthma exacerbation rates and maintenance oral corticosteroids (mOCSs). RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the real-world effectiveness of benralizumab and what baseline characteristics are associated with response to therapy? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We assessed outcomes in all SEA patients who began benralizumab treatment at our specialist center. At each dosing visit, exacerbation history, mOCS dose, spirometry, and Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ6) and Mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mAQLQ) scores were recorded. Response to treatment was defined as a reduction of ≥ 50% in annualized exacerbation rate (AER) or in mOCS dose after 48 weeks of treatment. Super response was defined as zero exacerbations and no mOCSs for asthma. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients were included in the analysis. At 48 weeks, a 72.8% reduction in AER was noted, from 4.92 ± 3.35 per year in the year preceding biologic treatment to 1.34 ± 1.71 per year (P < .001), including 57 patients (43.8%) who were exacerbation-free with benralizumab. In those receiving mOCSs (n = 74 [56.9%]), the median daily prednisolone dose fell from 10 mg (interquartile range, 5-20 mg) to 0 mg (interquartile range, 0-5 mg; P < .001), and 38 of 74 patients (51.4%) were able to discontinue mOCS therapy. Clinically and statistically significant improvements were found in ACQ6 scores, mAQLQ scores, and FEV1. Overall, 51 patients (39%) met the super responder definition and 112 patients (86%) met the responder definition. The optimal regression model of super responders vs other responders included baseline characteristics associated with a strongly eosinophilic phenotype and less severe disease. Eighteen patients (13.8%) were nonresponders to benralizumab. Evidence of chronic airway infection was observed in 6 of 18 patients, and an increase in the blood eosinophil count consistent with the development of anti-drug antibodies was observed in 5 of 18 patients. INTERPRETATION: In a large real-world SEA cohort, benralizumab led to significant improvements in all clinical outcome measures. A lack of response was seen in a minority of patients and should be a focus for future investigation.

Profiling of H3K27Ac Reveals the Influence of Asthma on the Epigenome of the Airway Epithelium.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic airway disease driven by complex genetic-environmental interactions. The role of epigenetic modifications in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) in asthma is poorly understood. METHODS: We piloted genome-wide profiling of the enhancer-associated histone modification H3K27ac in BECs from people with asthma (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 3). RESULTS: We identified n = 4,321 (FDR < 0.05) regions exhibiting differential H3K27ac enrichment between asthma and health, clustering at genes associated predominately with epithelial processes (EMT). We identified initial evidence of asthma-associated Super-Enhancers encompassing genes encoding transcription factors (TP63) and enzymes regulating lipid metabolism (PTGS1). We integrated published datasets to identify epithelium-specific transcription factors associated with H3K27ac in asthma (TP73) and identify initial relationships between asthma-associated changes in H3K27ac and transcriptional profiles. Finally, we investigated the potential of CRISPR-based approaches to functionally evaluate H3K27ac-asthma landscape in vitro by identifying guide-RNAs capable of targeting acetylation to asthma DERs and inducing gene expression (TLR3). CONCLUSION: Our small pilot study validates genome-wide approaches for deciphering epigenetic mechanisms underlying asthma pathogenesis in the airways.

Steroid-sparing effects of benralizumab in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Benralizumab reduces oral corticosteroid requirements in patients with EGPA and leads to improved patient-reported outcome measures https://bit.ly/2GI0vhf.

Real-World Effectiveness and the Characteristics of a "Super-Responder" to Mepolizumab in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma.

BACKGROUND: Mepolizumab was the first licensed anti-IL5 monoclonal antibody for severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA). To date there are few data to confirm its efficacy in the real-world setting or assessment of baseline characteristics associated with response. RESEARCH QUESTION: How do patients with severe eosinophilic asthma respond to mepolizumab in the real world setting and which characteristics are associated with a super-response to this therapy? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who received at least 16 weeks of treatment with mepolizumab (100 mg subcutaneously) for SEA at our regional asthma center in the United Kingdom. Clinical data were collected at each 4-week visit. At 16, 24, and 52 weeks, patients were classified as "responders" or "nonresponders." A response was defined as ≥50% reduction in exacerbations; for patients whose condition requires maintenance oral corticosteroids (mOCS), a response was defined as ≥50% reduction in prednisolone dose. Super responders were defined as exacerbation-free and off mOCS at one year. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients were included in the analysis. Asthma exacerbations decreased from a baseline of 4.04 ± 2.57 to 1.86 ± 2.17 per year at one year (54% reduction; P < .001). Sixty-eight patients were receiving mOCS at the time of commencing mepolizumab. By one year, the daily median dose fell from 10 mg (interquartile range, 10 to 15) to 0 mg (interquartile range, 0 to 10; P < .001). Fifty-seven percent of them were able to discontinue mOCS; 72.7% (95% CI, 63.0 to 80.7) of the patients were classified as responders, and 28.3% (95% CI, 20.2 to 38.0) of the patients were classified as super responders. Baseline characteristics associated with responder and super responder status included the presence of nasal polyposis (P = .012), lower baseline Asthma Control Questionnaire 6 (P = .006), a lower BMI (P = .014), and, in those patients receiving mOCS, a significantly lower prednisolone dose at baseline (P = .005). At 16 weeks, the one-year responder status was correctly identified in 80.8% patients; by 24 weeks, this status rose to 92.9%. INTERPRETATION: In a real-world SEA cohort, treatment with mepolizumab reduced exacerbation frequency and mOCS requirements. Nasal polyposis, a lower BMI, and a lower maintenance prednisolone requirement at baseline were associated with better outcomes. Twelve-month response was identifiable in >90% of patients by week 24.