Mepolizumab for severe eosinophilic asthma: a comparison of efficacy in children, adolescents, and adults

Background: Mepolizumab is approved for severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and, in some regions, adolescents (12-17 years old). Efficacy results in children (6-11 years old) have yet to be compared to data from adults and adolescents. Methods: Asthma exacerbation incidence and asthma control questionnaire (ACQ-5) responder rates were taken from adult/adolescents in double-blind, placebo controlled studies (NCT01000506, NCT01691521, NCT02281318, NCT01691508) of mepolizumab 75 mg to 750 mg while children (40 mg SC if Results: Subjects had similar mean exacerbation rates in the year prior to study: 4.0 in children and 2.8-3.6 in adolescents/adults. All subjects reported at least 2 exacerbations in the prior year. The incidence of exacerbations after 12 weeks of mepolizumab treatment was consistent between children and adolescents/adults (Table). The ACQ-5 responder rate (minimal clinically important reduction ≥0.5 points) at 12 weeks was 55% in children, 33-63% in adolescents, and 52-56% in adults. Conclusions: Mepolizumab in children with severe eosinophilic asthma results in similar efficacy (exacerbations and ACQ-5) when compared to adolescents/adults after 12 weeks. Funding: GSK