Benralizumab: A New Option for Severe Asthma

Authors

  • Rossukon Takhad Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Thipnapa Jarujitmaneekul Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University

Keywords:

benralizumab, asthma, anti-eosinophil

Abstract

Benralizumab is a novel monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to the human interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor alpha subunit, thereby preventing IL-5 from binding to its receptor and inhibiting differentiation and maturation of eosi–nophils and basophils resulting in reduced circulating blood eosinophils and basophils through enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. It is indicated as an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma inadequately controlled despite high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus long-acting β-agonists. According to the recent studies, benralizumab shown to be significantly superior to the placebo as it reduced rates of asthma exacerbations in one year, improved lung function (expressed as FEV1), provided better quality of life and asthma symptoms control, decreased the oral glucocorticoid dosage and depleted blood eosinophils count. The adverse effects of benralizumab included nasopha–ryngitis, worsening asthma, bronchitis, administration site reaction and upper respiratory tract infection. The pharmacoeconomic study demonstrated that benralizumab is a cost-effective add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with refractory eosinophilic asthma.

Author Biographies

Rossukon Takhad , Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University

Pharm.D. (Pharmaceutical Care)

Thipnapa Jarujitmaneekul , Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University

Pharm.D. (Pharmaceutical Care)

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Published

2022-04-28

How to Cite

1.
Takhad R, Jarujitmaneekul T. Benralizumab: A New Option for Severe Asthma. Thai J Hosp Pharm [internet]. 2022 Apr. 28 [cited 2025 Dec. 28];32(1):57-74. available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TJHP/article/view/252377