Anti-IL-5 recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (Mepolizumab) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Oldhoff, J. M.1; Darsow, U.2; Werfel, T.3; Katzer, K.2; Wulf, A.3; Laifaoui, J.2; Hijnen, D. J.1; Plötz, S.2; Knol, E. F.1; Kapp, A.3; Bruijnzeel-Koomen, C. A. F. M.1; Ring, J.2; Bruin-Weller, M. S.1
Source: Allergy, Volume 60, Number 5, May 2005 , pp. 693-696(4)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
Background: Eosinophils may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Interleukin-5 is essential for eosinophil growth, differentiation and migration. A monoclonal antibody to human interleukin-5 (mepolizumab) was developed for atopic diseases. This study was designed to study the effect of mepolizumab in AD. Methods: Two single doses of 750 mg mepolizumab, given 1 week apart, were studied in patients with moderate to severe AD using a randomized, placebo-controlled parallel group design. The primary endpoint of ‘success’ to treatment was defined as the percentage of patients with at least ‘marked improvement’ after 2 weeks as assessed by the Physician's Global Assessment of Improvement (PGA). Furthermore, SCORing AD (SCORAD), pruritus scoring, number of blood eosinophils and serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) values served as secondary endpoints. Fluticason propionate cream 0.05%, once daily could be used as rescue medication from day 16 if no improvement was recorded. Results: Eighteen patients received mepolizumab and 22 placebo treatment. Peripheral blood eosinophil numbers were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with placebo (P < 0.05). No clinical success was reached by PGA assessment (P = 0.115), SCORAD (P = 0.293), pruritus scoring and TARC values in the mepolizumab-treated group compared with placebo. However, modest improvement (<50% improvement) assessed by PGA was scored significantly more in the mepolizumab-treated group compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Two single doses of 750 mg mepolizumab did not result in clinical success in patients with AD, despite a significant decrease in peripheral blood eosinophils.Keywords: atopic dermatitis; anti-IL-5; eosinophils; mepolizumab; TARC
Document Type: Short communication
DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00791.x
Affiliations: 1: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands 2: Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University Munich, and Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF/TUM, Munich, Germany 3: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover Medical University, Hannover, Germany
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