Real-world unified airway benefits of mepolizumab: Effectiveness in patients with asthma and comorbid nasal polyps.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nasal polyps (NPs) are commonly associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In keeping with the unified airway hypothesis, asthma and CRS with NP (CRSwNP) frequently co-occur, share a similar pathophysiology, and are often treated with oral corticosteroids (OCS); however, a need for alternative treatment options for patients with comorbid asthma and CRSwNP remains. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the short- and long-term dual airway effectiveness of the anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, in real-world patients with asthma and comorbid NP. METHODS: Adult patients with CRSwNP who initiated mepolizumab from November 1, 2014, to September 30, 2021, were identified from 2 Merative MarketScan Research Databases. Outcomes were compared for the 12 months pre- and post-mepolizumab initiation and a variable follow-up period. Primary outcomes included the following annual rate and proportion of patients with NP- and asthma-related exacerbations; NP surgery occurrences; all-cause OCS claims, number of OCS bursts, and daily OCS dose; all-cause and NP-related health care resource utilization. RESULTS: During the 12 months post-index, patients experienced fewer NP- and asthma-related exacerbations, required fewer sinus surgeries, and reduced use of OCS, with fewer all-cause OCS claims and OCS bursts. Significant reductions in asthma exacerbation-related and NP-related health care resource utilization were also observed. CONCLUSION: This study illustrated the near- and long-term real-world effectiveness of mepolizumab treatment, with a focus on dual lower and upper airway benefit from single-agent add-on therapy. These results may aid physicians in clinical decision-making for patients with asthma and comorbid CRSwNP with complex care needs.