Benralizumab treatment resulted in remission of conventional therapy-resistant eosinophilic esophagitis: a case report

Abstract

Background Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has recently been shown to play a crucial role in eosinophil-mediated diseases, implying that an IL-5 receptor alpha chain (IL-5Rα) antibody (benralizumab) can be effective against eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Here, we present a case in which benralizumab significantly improved the symptoms and signs of an elderly Asian woman with EoE who had become resistant to existing treatments. Case presentation: A 73-year-old woman with an 8-year history of asthma and a 7-year history of dysphagia presented to our hospital with worsening dysphagia and other digestive symptoms. Blood biochemical findings revealed an increase in the eosinophil fraction of white blood cells (42.2%), and a conventional chest computed tomography scan revealed esophageal wall thickening. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed mucosal edema as well as multiple esophageal rings, and esophageal biopsy specimens showed an eosinophilic infiltrate of more than 15 cells/ high power field (HPF). Based on these findings, she was diagnosed as EoE complicated by severe asthma. We firstly administrated 20 mg/day of prednisolone, rabeprazole sodium and budesonide oral therapy; however, they were ineffective and her dysphagia worsened over time. Then, benralizumab treatment in combination with these drugs was started. Her dysphagia completely disappeared 2 weeks after starting benralizumab, and an upper endoscopy showed that the clinical findings had completely disappeared. Benralizumab was then given to her for 41 months, and her symptoms remained in remission. In addition, she had no EoE recurrence for more than 6 months after discontinuing benralizumab. Conclusions Benralizumab in combination with other multiple drugs significantly improved the symptoms and examination findings of an elderly patients with EoE. Furthermore, she experienced no recurrence even after discontinuing benralizumab withdrawal, suggesting that benralizumab is an appropriate therapeutic option for EoE.