abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare, relapsing, inflammatory disease. Management of EGPA predominantly relies on oral corticosteroids (OCS), which are associated with many adverse effects. The phase 3 MIRRA trial demonstrated efficacy and safety of mepolizumab, anti-interleukin-5 biologic, for EGPA. This open-label extension (OLE) of MIRRA assessed long-term safety and OCS-sparing effects of mepolizumab. METHODS: The OLE (NCT03298061) was a multicenter study that enrolled patients from MIRRA who required OCS ≥5 mg/day up to six months after the end of MIRRA. All patients received mepolizumab 300 mg subcutaneously every four weeks plus standard of care until mepolizumab was discontinued or became approved and reimbursed for EGPA in the respective country. Key outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and use of OCS. RESULTS: One hundred patients were enrolled in the OLE. Mean (SD) and median (min-max) exposure during OLE was 38.5 (27.0) and 27.0 (1.0-89.0) months. On-treatment AEs were experienced by 98% of patients (43% treatment related; most frequent: injection site reaction [10%]) and serious AEs by 38% of patients (6% treatment related) with no new safety signals versus MIRRA identified. Median (Q1-Q3) OCS dose decreased from 10.0 (7.8-15.0) mg/day at OLE baseline to 5.0 (0.0-10.0) mg/day at study exit. Proportion of patients using OCS >7.5 mg/day decreased from 75% at baseline to 32% at study exit; 28% of patients discontinued OCS. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of mepolizumab to treat EGPA was well tolerated and resulted in sustained reductions in OCS use.