FDA Approves New Drug for Severe Asthma

By Kristin J. Kelley

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, FASAM

The FDA has approved reslizumab (Cinqair) as a maintenance treatment for severe asthma. It is indicated for adults who can't control exacerbations with their current treatments.

The drug — a humanized interleukin-5 antagonist monoclonal antibody that reduces blood eosinophil levels — is an intravenous infusion given monthly. It must be administered by a clinician in order to monitor patients for anaphylaxis.

In four randomized trials, patients with severe asthma were given either reslizumab or placebo as an add-on treatment. Those on reslizumab had fewer attacks and experienced longer durations without an asthma exacerbation. The drug also significantly improved lung function.

In studies, anaphylaxis, cancer, and muscle pain were reslizumab's most common side effects.