Itepekimab
Itepekimab is a human IgG4 anti-IL-33 mAb. A phase 2 trial compared the
safety and efficacy of itepekimab (300 mg s.c. every 2 weeks), dupilumab
(300 mg. s.c. every 2 weeks), itepekimab plus dupilumab, or placebo in
patients with moderate-to-severe asthma192. The primary
endpoint, loss of asthma control, was similar in the itepekimab (22%),
combination (27%) and dupilumab (19%) groups and lower than in the
placebo (41%) group. Pre-bronchodilator FEV1 increased
with itepekimab and dupilumab monotherapies but not with combination
therapy. Ipetekimab improved asthma control and quality of life compared
to placebo and reduced peripheral blood eosinophils. The latter results
are consistent with a role for IL-33 in the pathogenesis of asthma
exacerbations and airflow limitations in asthma. Further investigations
are needed to investigate whether blockade of the IL-33/ST2 axis can
modify airway remodeling in patients with asthma.