Benralizumab in addition to mometasone furoate for severe nasal polyposis

Benralizumab in addition to mometasone furoate is in development for the treatment of severe nasal polyposis/polyps. Nasal polyps are painless soft growths inside the nose. The exact cause is still unknown but asthma and a bad reaction to aspirin are known to increase the risk of developing the disease. Nasal polyps contain inflammatory fluid and they can be associated with allergy and infection. Nasal polyps are characterised by the accumulation of a certain type of white blood cells called eosinophils. Eosinophils secrete inflammatory proteins including a type called interleukin-5 (IL-5) which play a role in prolonging the survival and migration of eosinophils to the specific tissue sites.
Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to attach to IL-5 receptors (targets) on the surface of eosinophils which in turn activates the body’s natural defence (immune system) to kill eosinophils. Mometasone furoate is a corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties used to decrease the size of polyps and to help in the inhibition of eosinophil infiltration into polyp tissue. If licensed, benralizumab in addition to mometasone furoate will offer an additional treatment option for patients with severe nasal polyposis who are still symptomatic despite standard of care therapy.