Anti-Interleukin-5 (IL5) Monoclonal Antibody (MAb) in Prednisone-dependent Eosinophilic Asthma

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Informed consent Prior to the beginning of the study, patients must be willing and fully capable to provide written informed consent.
• •2. Prednisone-dependent eosinophilic asthma
• •* Documented evidence of asthma: FEV1 reversibility of 12% and 200 ml after 200-400 micrograms of SABA. Or Methacholine challenge test \<8mg/ml.
• •* Documented history of persistent eosinophilia (sputum eosinophils ≥3% and/or blood eosinophils ≥300/µL) despite maintenance treatment with systemic glucocorticoids (5 to 35 mg per day of prednisone or its equivalent) before entering the study.
• •3. Previous treatment with 100 mg mepolizumab administered subcutaneously for at least 6 months, with the last dose at least 4 months before entering the study
• •4. Sputum eosinophils ≥3% and blood eosinophil ≥300/µL on visit 1 (screening visit).
• •5. Age between 18 and 75 years.
• •6. Male or eligible female subjects:
• •To be eligible for entry into the study, females of childbearing potential (premenopausal women who are not permanently sterilized by means of hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or bilateral salpingectomy) must commit to consistent and correct use of a highly effective method of birth control (true sexual abstinence, a vasectomized sexual partner, Implanon, female tubal occlusion, Intrauterine device (IUD), Depo provera injections, oral contraceptive pills or Nuvaring) for the duration of the trial and for 3 months after the last study drug administration. A serum pregnancy test is required of all females at the initial Baseline Visit (Visit 1). In addition, a urine pregnancy test will be performed for all females prior to enrollment, during each scheduled study visit prior to the injection of investigational product, and during the Follow-up Visit.
• •7. Male subjects who are sexually active must agree to use a double barrier method of contraception (condom with spermicide) from the first dose of study drug and for 3 months after the last dose of study drug.