Switching from omalizumab to mepolizumab therapy improved extra‐pulmonary abdominal and cutaneous vasculitis symptoms in a patient with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis

Abstract Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis of small‐to‐medium‐sized vessels. Both eosinophilic infiltration and vasculitis are thought to contribute to multi‐organ damage. Some biologics have been used to reduce the required dose of corticosteroids in EGPA...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yu‐Hsuan Chen, Ping‐Hung Kuo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Respirology Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rcr2.878
Description
Summary:Abstract Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis of small‐to‐medium‐sized vessels. Both eosinophilic infiltration and vasculitis are thought to contribute to multi‐organ damage. Some biologics have been used to reduce the required dose of corticosteroids in EGPA, but no single agent can ensure a complete control of this disease. Here, we describe a patient with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies‐negative relapsing EGPA whose asthma control was improved by omalizumab, but she continued to develop flares of abdominal and cutaneous vasculitis symptoms. After switching to mepolizumab therapy, her blood hypereosinophilia and extra‐pulmonary symptoms were significantly improved. Moreover, the dose of daily maintenance corticosteroid could be tapered off. The experience from our case suggests that biologics targeting interleukin‐5 may be more effective than omalizumab in the management of extra‐thoracic manifestations in EGPA.
ISSN:2051-3380