Eosinophil depletion with benralizumab is associated with attenuated mannitol airway hyperresponsiveness in severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma

Background: Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and eosinophilia are hallmarks of persistent asthma.

Objective: We investigated whether eosinophil depletion with benralizumab might attenuate indirect mannitol AHR in severe uncontrolled asthma using a pragmatic open-label design.

Methods: After a 4-week run-in period with provision of usual inhaled corticosteroids and/or long-acting β-agonist (baseline), adults with mannitol-responsive uncontrolled severe eosinophilic asthma received 3 doses of open-label benralizumab 30 mg every 4 weeks, followed by 16 weeks’ washout after the last dose. The primary outcome was doubling difference (DD) in provocative dose of mannitol required to decrease FEV ₁ by 10% (PD ₁₀) at the end point after 12 weeks, powered at 90% with 18 patients required to detect 1 DD. Secondary outcomes included measures assessed by the asthma control questionnaire and mini-asthma quality of life questionnaire.

Results: Twenty-one patients completed 12 weeks’ benralizumab therapy at the end point at week 12. Mean (SEM) age was 53 (4) years, and FEV ₁ 80.2% (4.1%) inhaled corticosteroid dose was 1895 (59) μg, with 12 receiving long-acting muscarinic antagonist and 13 leukotriene receptor antagonists. Improvement in AHR was significant by 8 weeks, with a mean 2.1 DD (95% confidence interval 1.0, 3.3; P <.01) change in PD ₁₀ at week 12, while mean changes in asthma control questionnaire and mini-asthma quality of life questionnaire were significant by week 2 and sustained over 12 weeks, both exceeding the minimal important difference. Peripheral blood eosinophils were depleted by 2 weeks (439 to 6 cells/μL). No significant improvement occurred in lung function after 12 weeks. Domiciliary peak flow and symptoms also improved with benralizumab.

Conclusion: Eosinophil depletion results in clinically meaningful attenuated AHR in severe uncontrolled asthma patients.