Blood eosinophil count as a biomarker for therapy guidance in COPD and asthma exacerbations

., 2012), an acute biologic therapy trial using benralizumab (ABRA, 2025) and a long-term biologic therapy trial using mepolizumab (COPD-HELP, 2025). The biomarker-directed corticosteroid study demonstrated non-inferior symptom improvement while reducing steroid exposure, highlighting the potential to personalise therapy based on BEC. The ABRA trial showed that a single injection of benralizumab reduced treatment failure, prolonged time to exacerbation and improved symptom scores in patients with high eosinophils. By contrast, the COPD-HELP trial found no significant effect of mepolizumab on readmission or mortality, despite substantial eosinophil reduction. Limitations include small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations and reliance on surrogate end-points in some studies. These findings support the use of BEC-guided therapy in acute settings but suggest that long-term biologic treatment post-exacerbation may not improve hard outcomes. Future research should focus on precision medicine strategies targeting eosinophilic exacerbations and identifying patient subgroups who benefit most from biomarker-guided interventions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Breathe
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1183/20734735.0329-2025
Primary Topic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
Type
article
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Blood eosinophil count as a biomarker for therapy guidance in COPD and asthma exacerbations

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Blood eosinophil count as a biomarker for therapy guidance in COPD and asthma exacerbations

Augusta S. Beech, Anuradha Nalika Godallage, Jens‐Ulrik S. Jensen, Pradeesh Sivapalan, Melika Valizadeh, Dil Afrose
article en

Abstract

., 2012), an acute biologic therapy trial using benralizumab (ABRA, 2025) and a long-term biologic therapy trial using mepolizumab (COPD-HELP, 2025). The biomarker-directed corticosteroid study demonstrated non-inferior symptom improvement while reducing steroid exposure, highlighting the potential to personalise therapy based on BEC. The ABRA trial showed that a single injection of benralizumab reduced treatment failure, prolonged time to exacerbation and improved symptom scores in patients with high eosinophils. By contrast, the COPD-HELP trial found no significant effect of mepolizumab on readmission or mortality, despite substantial eosinophil reduction. Limitations include small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations and reliance on surrogate end-points in some studies. These findings support the use of BEC-guided therapy in acute settings but suggest that long-term biologic treatment post-exacerbation may not improve hard outcomes. Future research should focus on precision medicine strategies targeting eosinophilic exacerbations and identifying patient subgroups who benefit most from biomarker-guided interventions.

BreatheVol. 22(2)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Gentofte Hospital (DK), IQVIA (United Kingdom) (GB), Masih Daneshvari Hospital (IR), Wythenshawe Hospital (GB), Medicines Evaluation Unit (GB), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 28%
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
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