Combination Anti-IgE and Anti-IL5 Therapy in a Pediatric Patient With Severe Persistent Asthma

Abstract

Biologic agents, including anti-immunoglobulin E (omalizumab) and anti-interleukin 5 (mepolizumab), target different mediators involved in the inflammatory process and may work synergistically to decrease symptoms in patients with severe asthma. Here we describe a 12-year-old female on 2 biologic agents, omalizumab and mepolizumab, to control severe persistent asthma. Omalizumab was started years earlier with an initial response; however, her asthma again became uncontrolled and mepolizumab was added. Both biologics were administered concomitantly for over 6 months with marked improvement of asthma symptoms without significant side effects. A combination of biologic agents may be a potential therapy for pediatric patients with severe persistent asthma that remains uncontrolled on a single agent.