Efficacy of benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma: results of a real clinical practice prospective study BEST in Russia

The study of the efficacy of biological therapy in patients with severe bronchial asthma in real world settings is a relevant task since observational research programs allow answering questions that fall out of focus with a strict selection of patients in RCT. Multicenter studies are prioritized because they allow combining and systematizing additional previously undescribed data in a wider population.
The aim of the BEST study (Real World Evidence of Benralizumab in Eosinophilic Severe AsThma in Russia) was to confirm the clinical effectiveness of benralizumab regarding change of disease control and quality of life (QoL) level associated with respiratory status in patients with eosinophilic phenotype of uncontrolled severe asthma in real clinical practice in Russia.
Methods. An open-label non-randomised multicenter study was conducted involving 59 adult patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Benralizumab was prescribed according to indications used in routine practice in addition to maintenance therapy. The duration of follow-up was 56 weeks. Disease control level was assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire-5 (ACQ-5), and QoL associated with respiratory status was assessed using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Patients’ Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and Patients’ Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) were used for subjective assessments of the well-being of patients. The frequency of exacerbations, usage of systemic corticosteroids (SCS), and functional parameters were also evaluated.
Results. The use of benralizumab led to a clinically significant improvement in ACQ-5 and SGRQ scores, a significant decrease in the frequency of exacerbations and a significant increase in pre- and post-bronchodilation FEV1 and FVC. There was an improvement in the well-being of patients according to the PGIC and PGIS scales. The SCS dose did not change. The therapeutic effect of benralizumab occurred quickly and persisted throughout the whole study, demonstrating the most significant changes in effectiveness values by the 56th week of treatment.
Conclusion. The use of benralizumab in real clinical practice significantly improved the control of severe eosinophilic asthma and QoL of patients and was associated with a favorable safety profile.

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