Anti-IL5 monoclonal antibody, clone USGL5 [Biotin]

Background Randomized control trials performed in selected populations of severe eosinophilic asthmatics have shown that mepolizumab, an anti-IL5 therapy, was able to reduce exacerbations and OCS maintenance dose and in some studies, to improve asthma control and lung function. Objective The aim of this study was to confirm the results of the RCTs in real-life in a population of 116 severe eosinophilic asthmatics treated with mepolizumab and who were followed up at the asthma clinic every month for at least 18 months. Severe asthmatics underwent FENO, lung function, asthma control and quality of life questionnaires, sputum induction and gave a blood sample at baseline, after 6 months and then every year. Results We found a significant reduction in exacerbations by 85% after 6 months (P < .0001), which was maintained over time. We also found a significant and maintained reduction by 50% in the dose of oral corticosteroids (P < .001). Patients improved their ACT (+5.31pts, p<0.0001) ACQ (-1.13pts, P < .0001) and their AQLQ score (+1.24, P < .0001) at 6 months and this was maintained during follow-up. Only 37% reached asthma control (ACQ <1.5, ACT> 20). We observed a progressive increase in post-BD FEV1 that reached significance after 18 months (190ml or 11%, P < .01). Patients improving their FEV1had higher baseline sputum eosinophils than those not improving airway caliber. We found a significant reduction in sputum eosinophil counts by 60% after 6 months (P < .01) and a maintained reduction in blood eosinophil counts by 98% (P < .0001). Conclusion In our real-life study, we confirm the results published in the RCTs showing a sharp reduction in exacerbation and oral corticosteroids dose and an improvement in asthma control and quality of life. Clinical relevance: Mepolizumab is efficient in severe eosinophilic asthma in real life.

The synthesis of exopolysaccharides was determined for the Streptococcus sp. IL5 strain in MRS and M17 medium, with carbon sources such as glucose, lactose and sucrose. According to the obtained results, by using glucose as carbon source, the highest quantity of exopolysaccharides was obtained, namely of 400 mg l(-1). The influence of various glucose concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20%) on exopolysaccharide production was tested. It resulted in that, at a concentration of 15% glucose, a maximum quantity of synthesized exopolysaccharides was obtained. The influence of temperature and of pH on the exopolysaccharide synthesis capacity of the strain was tested as well. From the tests the temperature of 37 degrees C and pH 7 proved to be the ideal parameters for obtaining a maximum exopolysaccharides quantity. Based on chromatographic methods, the content of synthesized polysaccharide was determined, consisting of 31.87% anhydrous glucose with a degree of polymerization of 36.7%.