The efficacy and safety of reslizumab for inadequately controlled asthma with elevated blood eosinophil counts: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Reslizumab is a humanised anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody that disrupts eosinophil maturation and promotes programmed cell death. Objective: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the drug in patients with inadequately controlled, eosinophilic asthma. Data sources: The search included the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Study selection: A literature review was performed to identify all published randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of reslizumab for the treatment of inadequately controlled, eosinophilic asthma. Data extraction: Two reviewers independently extracted and verified pre-defined data fields. Results: Four publications including 5 RCTs that compared reslizumab with placebo. For the comparison of reslizumab with placebo, asthma exacerbation (odds ratio (OR) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.35 to 0.59, p <0.00001); a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (the standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.16, 95%CI = 0.10 to 0.23, p <0.00001); Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score (the SMD = -0.26, 95%CI= -0.36 to -0.16, p <0.00001); blood eosinophil counts (the SMD = -475.62, 95%CI = -528.41 to -422.83, p <0.00001). Safety assessments included the proportion of individuals who withdrawn due to adverse event (AE) (OR = 0.60 95%CI = 0.38 to 1.17, p = 0.16) indicated that reslizumab was well tolerated. Limitations: The article didn't research the safety, efficacy of reslizumab with longer term. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates that reslizumab to be an effective and safe treatment for inadequately controlled, eosinophilic asthma.