Benralizumab Effectiveness in Severe Eosinophilic Asthma with Co-Presence of Bronchiectasis: A Real-World Multicentre Observational Study

<i>Introduction</i>: The co-presence of bronchiectasis (BE) in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) is common. Data about the effectiveness of benralizumab in patients with SEA and BE (SEA + BE) are lacking. <i>Aim</i>: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of b...

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Main Authors: Raffaele Campisi, Santi Nolasco, Corrado Pelaia, Pietro Impellizzeri, Maria D’Amato, Andrea Portacci, Luisa Ricciardi, Giulia Scioscia, Nunzio Crimi, Nicola Scichilone, Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro, Girolamo Pelaia, Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano, Alessandro Vatrella, Claudia Crimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-06-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/12/3953
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Summary:<i>Introduction</i>: The co-presence of bronchiectasis (BE) in severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) is common. Data about the effectiveness of benralizumab in patients with SEA and BE (SEA + BE) are lacking. <i>Aim</i>: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of benralizumab and remission rates in patients with SEA compared to SEA + BE, also according to BE severity. <i>Methods</i>: We conducted a multicentre observational study, including patients with SEA who underwent chest high-resolution computed tomography at baseline. The Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) was used to assess BE severity. Clinical and functional characteristics were collected at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. <i>Results</i>: We included 74 patients with SEA treated with benralizumab, of which 35 (47.2%) showed the co-presence of bronchiectasis (SEA + BE) with a median BSI of 9 (7–11). Overall, benralizumab significantly improved the annual exacerbation rate (<i>p</i> < 0.0001), oral corticosteroids (OCS) consumption (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and lung function (<i>p</i> < 0.01). After 12 months, significant differences were found between SEA and SEA + BE cohorts in the number of exacerbation-free patients [64.1% vs. 20%, OR 0.14 (95% CI 0.05–0.40), <i>p</i> < 0.0001], the proportion of OCS withdrawal [−92.6% vs. −48.6, <i>p</i> = 0.0003], and the daily dose of OCS [−5 mg (0 to −12.5) vs. −12.5 mg (−7.5 to −20), <i>p</i> = 0.0112]. Remission (zero exacerbations + zero OCS) was achieved more frequently in the SEA cohort [66.7% vs. 14.3%, OR 0.08 (95% CI 0.03–0.27), <i>p</i> < 0.0001]. Changes in FEV<sub>1</sub>% and FEF<sub>25–75%</sub> were inversely correlated with BSI (<i>r</i> = −0.36, <i>p</i> = 0.0448 and <i>r</i> = −0.41, <i>p</i> = 0.0191, respectively). <i>Conclusions</i>: These data suggest that benralizumab exerts beneficial effects in SEA with or without BE, although the former achieved less OCS sparing and fewer respiratory-function improvements.
ISSN:2077-0383