Effect of Anti-interleukin 5 (IL5) Therapy on Sputum Cells and Cytokines

22 asthmatics, in which mepolizumab was to be started, gave permission for inclusion and were followed up prospectively. Clinical and lung functional data, sputum analyses and cytokine measurements were analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• FEV1 < 80% in the last 12 months
• use of high dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in combination with other additional medication or continuous use of oral corticosteroids (OCS)
• at least 2 exacerbations in the last 12 months
• at least 300 blood eosinophils/µl once in the last 12 months and at the time of inclusion
• Anti-IL5 treatment prescribed by the physician

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not completing all visits