Mepolizumab in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) With Eosinophilic Bronchitis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-09-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Some patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) have large number of
specific white blood cells called eosinophils in their airways. These cells are also
responsible for causing episodes of worsened respiratory symptoms (exacerbations) and often
cause irreversible damage to the airways . This subset of COPD patients often require oral
steroids to bring down the number of eosinophils in their airways. Steroids have harmful
effects on several of our body systems like bones, blood pressure, blood glucose control and
can cause recurrent infections. Mepolizumab is a drug that specifically targets eosinophils
reducing the number in the airway. This drug has been shown to be effective in decreasing
exacerbation rates and time to exacerbation in asthma patients with eosinophils in their
airways. Targeting eosinophils in COPD patients has been shown to reduce severe
exacerbations. Hence it is likely that COPD patients with eosinophils in their airways will
benefit similarly and have reduced rates and time to exacerbation.
Study Hypothesis:Does mepolizumab decrease sputum eosinophils in patients with fixed airflow
obstruction (COPD) and eosinophilic bronchitis?