Why carry out this study?

Patients with eosinophilic asthma can have elevated serum IgE concentrations

Eosinophilia is associated with asthma exacerbations, which can be reduced with benralizumab, an interleukin-5 receptor alpha–directed anti-eosinophil monoclonal antibody

We aimed to determine the importance of elevated blood eosinophil counts and serum IgE concentrations on exacerbation risk and their influence on benralizumab’s ability to reduce exacerbation frequency for patients with eosinophilic asthma and a range of serum IgE concentrations

What was learned from the study?

Elevated blood eosinophil counts, but not serum IgE concentrations, are associated with increased exacerbation risk for patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma

Benralizumab reduces exacerbation risk for patients with elevated blood eosinophil counts regardless of serum IgE concentrations and, therefore, should be considered for patients with uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma with allergic characteristics