Available online 21 March 2023

The Phase IIIb, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled ANDHI double-blind (DB) study extended understanding of the efficacy of benralizumab for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Patients from ANDHI DB could join the 56-week ANDHI in Practice (IP) single-arm, open-label extension substudy.

Assess potential for standard-of-care background medication reductions while maintaining asthma control with benralizumab.

Following ANDHI DB completion, eligible adults were enrolled in ANDHI IP. After an 8-week run-in with benralizumab, there were 5 visits to potentially reduce background asthma medications for patients achieving and maintaining protocol-defined asthma control with benralizumab. Main outcome measures for non–oral corticosteroid (OCS)-dependent patients were the proportions with at least 1 background medication reduction (ie, lower inhaled corticosteroid dose, background medication discontinuation) and the number of adapted Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) step reductions at end of treatment (EOT). Main outcomes for OCS-dependent patients were reductions in daily OCS dosage and proportion achieving OCS dosage ≤5 mg at EOT.

For non–OCS-dependent patients, 53.3% (n=208/390) achieved at least 1 background medication reduction, increasing to 72.6% (n=130/179) for patients who maintained protocol-defined asthma control at EOT. 41.9% (n=163/389) achieved at least 1 adapted GINA step reduction, increasing to 61.8% (n=110/178) for patients with protocol-defined EOT asthma control. At ANDHI IP baseline, OCS dosages were ≤5 mg for 40.4% (n=40/99) of OCS-dependent patients. Of OCS-dependent patients, 50.5% (n=50/99) eliminated OCS and 74.7% (n=74/99) achieved dosages ≤5 mg at EOT.

These findings demonstrate benralizumab’s ability to improve asthma control, thereby allowing background medication reduction.

© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology