Authors' objectives: Benralizumab is intended to be used as second line therapy for the treatment of patients with uncontrolled asthma. If licensed, benralizumab will offer an additional treatment option for patients with this condition. Benralizumab is a fully humanised anti-interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5R) monoclonal antibody which blocks the binding of IL-5 to the specific α-chain of the IL-5 receptor. IL-5 stimulates the production, activation and maturation of eosinophils, which is thought to contribute to airway inflammation and lung tissue remodelling. Benralizumab does not currently have Marketing Authorisation in the EU for any indication. In the UK around 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for asthma; the equivalent of 1 in 12 adults and 1 in 11 children. Approximately 5% of asthma sufferers are described as therapy resistant and are unable to get good control of their asthma despite using high levels of anti-asthma medicines. There are between 1,000 and 1,200 deaths from asthma each year in the UK, with premature mortality from asthma reported to be 1.5 times higher in the UK compared to the rest of Europe. The management of asthma aims to control the disease while minimising adverse reactions to treatment; good control is characterised by no daytime symptoms, no night-time awakening due to asthma, normal lung function, no need for rescue medication, no exacerbations, and no limitations on activity including exercise. Benralizumab is currently in multiple phase III clinical trials comparing its effect on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), annual asthma exacerbation rate and reduction in oral corticosteroid dose against treatment with placebo. These trials are expected to complete by Q1 2016.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2015

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/topics/benralizumab-for-uncontrolled-asthma-second-line/

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: NIHR Horizon Scanning Research&Intelligence Centre (NIHR HSRIC)