mepolizumab

mepolizumab • Recombinant monoclonal antibody to Human IL5. Mepolizumab (proposed trade name Bosatria) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that recognizes interleukin-5 (IL-5), and is used to treat certain kinds of asthma and white blood cell diseases. Recent studies have concluded that mepolizumab may improve exacerbations in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma, an adult- onset asthma which represents less than 5% of all asthma. IL-5 is a chemical messenger in the immune system that stimulates the growth of eosinophils. In eosinophilic asthma, eosinophils are present in the lungs. When mepolizumab was given to people with eosinophilic asthma, it eliminated eosinophils from the bloodstream,and reduced eosinophils in the lungs and bone marrow. Mepolizumab also reduced the number of asthma exacerbations, and reduced the need for corticosteroids.