Mepolizumab in the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma.

IL-5 is crucial in the pathogenesis and evolution of eosinophilic asthma. Mepolizumab is a high-affinity humanized monoclonal antibody of the IgG1/k subtype that inhibits the binding of IL-5 to its receptor expressed on eosinophils, thereby inducing significant reduction in eosinophil circulation, as well as asthma exacerbations and corticosteroid treatment. This review deals with the currently available studies of mepolizumab in the treatment of patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.