Is Benralizumab Effective for COPD?

Benralizumab (Fasenra) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor, resulting in rapid depletion of eosinophils. It is FDA approved for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, but we don't know whether it is effective in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who have eosinophilic inflammation and continued exacerbations despite guideline-based therapy.

In two similar industry-funded studies, 1120 and 1545 patients with moderate-to–very severe COPD and eosinophilic inflammation (defined by baseline blood eosinophil counts of ≥220/mm³) were randomized to various doses of benralizumab or placebo and were followed for 56 weeks. COPD exacerbations occurred at similar rates in all groups, despite …