Mepolizumab was the first anti-interleukin-5 (anti-IL-5) monoclonal antibody licensed for the treatment of severe asthma, recommended as add-on treatment in patients with frequent exacerbations or requiring maintenance oral corticosteroids (OCS) despite optimal inhaled therapy [1, 2]. In clinical trials it reduced exacerbation rates and OCS use, and improved lung function, asthma control and health-related quality of life over the first year of treatment [3–6]. Current guidance states that anti-IL-5 biologics should be continued long term if benefit is demonstrated over the first year, yet little is known about whether initial responses are sustained, or whether they can be predicted by clinical characteristics.

Mepolizumab 是第一个获准用于治疗重度哮喘的抗白细胞介素 5（抗 IL-5）单克隆抗体，推荐作为对频繁发作或需要维持口服皮质类固醇 (OCS) 的患者的附加治疗，尽管采用了最佳吸入治疗。 1, 2]。在临床试验中，它降低了恶化率和 OCS 的使用，并在治疗的第一年改善了肺功能、哮喘控制和与健康相关的生活质量 [3-6]。目前的指导意见指出，如果在第一年证明受益，则抗 IL-5 生物制剂应长期持续使用，但对于初始反应是否持续，或者是否可以通过临床特征预测它们知之甚少。