Effectiveness and safety profile of mepolizumab in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: Real life data in a tertiary care

Abstract

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is characterized by a type 2 pattern of inflammation. Mepolizumab was approved for the treatment of CRSwNP in 2021, it may be useful to evaluate its safety profile in a real-world setting. AimThis work aimed to prospectively highlight the effectiveness and safety profile of Mepolizumab in patients with CRSwNP enrolled in the Otorhinolaryngology Unit of the University Hospital of Messina. MethodsAn observational cohort study was carried out considering all patients treated with Mepolizumab. A descriptive analysis was conducted reporting all demographic characteristics, endoscopic evaluations, and symptom conditions. ResultsA total of 30 patients were treated with Mepolizumab, one patient discontinued the treatment. A statistically significant reduction in the Sino-Nasal Outcome Tests-22 (SNOT-22) and nasal polyp score (NPS) was shown at the 6th and 12th months compared to baseline values (SNOT-22, −33 and − 43, p < 0.001 for both comparisons; NPS, 0 and − 1, p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The median (Q1–Q3) sniffin' sticks test score increased from 7 (6–8) at the 6th month to 11 (10−13) at the 12th month. Seven patients (24.1 %) reported pain at the injection site, accompanied by redness, warmth, and tenderness within the first 24 h post-injection with a median duration of three days from the onset. ConclusionsGiven the optimal treatment response and the minimal adverse effects observed, clinicians should consider Mepolizumab a safe and effective treatment in CRSwNP patients. Further studies in real-life setting are necessary to better understand the long-term effects.