Mepolizumab in the treatment of bronchial asthma in children

Abstract

Severe bronchial asthma in children remains a serious problem, which is due to the high risk of mortality, side effects of therapy with high doses of glucocorticosteroids, significant consumption of health resources. The article presents modern data on the pathogenetic mechanisms of bronchial asthma, in particular, on the participation of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in the development of eosinophilic inflammation. Research data demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of anti-IL-5 therapy as a supplement to standard treatment for severe eosinophilic BA and its poor control, including in children. Mepolizumab is the most widely researched anti-IL-5-monoclonal drug. It statistically significantly reduces the level of eosinophilia in the organs, target tissues, reduces the frequency of exacerbations and hospitalizations, significantly reduces the need for maintenance therapy with glucocorticosteroids. The high profile of efficacy and safety of mepolizumab obtained as a result of randomized controlled clinical trials makes it a drug of choice in the treatment of children aged 6 and older with severe eosinophilic BA. However, further post-marketing biomarker studies are required to evaluate the response to anti-IL-5 drugs treatment, to determine the optimal duration and long-term effects of treatment, the risk of relapse in case of withdrawal in children with BA, especially those under 12 years of age.

Keywords

• severe bronchial asthma
• children
• interleukin-5
• mepolizumab
• biomarkers