Journal of Asthma and Allergy (Feb 2022)

Anti-IL-5 Agents for the Treatment of Idiopathic Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Case Series

  • Tashiro H,
  • Takahashi K,
  • Kurihara Y,
  • Sadamatsu H,
  • Kuwahara Y,
  • Kimura S,
  • Sueoka-Aragane N

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 169 – 177

Abstract

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Hiroki Tashiro, Koichiro Takahashi, Yuki Kurihara, Hironori Sadamatsu, Yuki Kuwahara, Shinya Kimura, Naoko Sueoka-Aragane Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, JapanCorrespondence: Hiroki TashiroDivision of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga, Saga Prefecture, 849-8501, Japan, Tel +81-952-34-2369, Fax +81-952-34-2017, Email [email protected]: Idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (ICEP) is a rare, chronic respiratory disease. Corticosteroid therapy is effective for ICEP, but relapse is frequent after its tapering, which leads to chronic use and corticosteroid-related adverse effects. Currently, biological agents targeting interleukin 5 (IL-5) are considered alternatives for treating ICEP patients with frequent relapse, but the detailed effects are not fully understood.Patients and Methods: The clinical characteristics of 30 patients with ICEP, especially 12 patients with ICEP who experienced relapse after corticosteroid dose tapering, were evaluated retrospectively. In addition, 4 ICEP patients with frequent relapse treated by IL-5-targeted biological agents were reviewed.Results: Of the 30 patients diagnosed with ICEP, 12 patients (40.0%) recurred after corticosteroid dose tapering, and 9 (30.0%) were treated with maintenance doses of corticosteroid. Of ICEP patients who experienced recurrence, 6 (50.0%) had frequent relapses (2 or more times). All 4 patients treated with anti-IL-5 agents had their corticosteroid dose reduced without any relapses; in 3 patients, corticosteroids were withdrawn.Conclusion: Anti-IL-5 agents might be alternatives for treating ICEP patients with frequent relapses.Keywords: chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, idiopathic, anti-IL-5 agents, mepolizumab, benralizumab

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