Meta-analysis of Low-versus High-dose Benralizumab in Adults with Uncontrolled Eosinophilic Asthma

Abstract

: The aim of the present study was to assess the non-inferiority of lowdose benralizumab relative to high-dose benralizumab as a treatment option for uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma through a meta-analysis of ef cacy and safety in randomized controlled trials RCTs . PubMed, the Cochrane Library Database, and Scopus were searched to identify relevant articles. Outcome measures were a change in the Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 ACQ-6 score and the exacerbation rate. In addition, the meta-analysis assessed the incidence of adverse events, injection site reactions, and pyrexia or influenza-like illness. Two RCTs with two doses of benralizumab 20 and 100 mg and a placebo for the treatment of uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma met the criteria and were included in the present study. Non-inferiority of low-dose 20 mg versus high-dose 100 mg benralizumab was shown for the change in ACQ-6 score, exacerbation rate, and the incidence of adverse events, injection site reactions, and pyrexia or influenza-like illness. Although not signi cant, the incidence of pyrexia or in uenza-like illness was lower in patients treated with low-dose benralizumab. These results suggest that low-dose 20 mg benralizumab is effective for symptom control and reduction of exacerbation rate in uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma, with lower treatment costs.