Articular manifestations related to anti-interleukin-5 therapies in severe asthma: a case series

Abstract

Extract Monoclonal antibodies targeting interleukin (IL)-5 (mepolizumab) or its receptor (IL-5R) (benralizumab) are biological drugs used to treat severe asthma. Both have proven efficacy in reducing exacerbations, restoring asthma control and sparing corticosteroid use, with good safety profiles [1–3]. Anti-IL-5/-5R-associated inflammatory arthritis was first reported in 2021 in six patients with severe asthma and one patient with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia [4, 5]. In our French severe asthma network CRISALIS, we have been challenged by several cases of destructive polyarthritis that developed after the initiation of anti-IL5/-5R therapies in severe asthma patients.