Current anti-inflammatory asthma therapies including inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene modifiers, are not always able to appropriately control the disease and other approaches are needed. These therapies specific target IgE (omalizumab) or IL-5 (mepolizumab). However, there is research underway investigating interleukin-based monoclonal antibodies such as benralizumab, an anti-IL-5R monoclonal antibody which is currently in phase III clinical development. Areas covered: This review summarizes the existing preclinical and clinical data of benralizumab. Data reviewed includes benralizumab's efficacy and safety data. The author also provides their expert opinion on this potential therapeutic and provide their perspectives for its future development. Expert opinion: Benralizumab was able to interfere significantly with disease-related morbidity and in particular with hospitalizations due to asthma exacerbation rates in a subset of patients with higher systemic eosinophil burden and higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids. The sustained inhibitory effect on eosinophilic inflammation might be an advantage which can be translated in less frequent dosing. Further attempts should be made to better define the asthma endotype in which such an antibody would be the most efficacious.
Keywords: Asthma; IL-5; atopy; benralizumab; eosinophil; monclonal antibody.