Key TakeawaysThe FDA approved Nucala, a severe asthma medication, to treat a group of rare blood disorders called HES.This is the first new treatment approved for HES in over a decade.In a clinical trial, 50% fewer patients receiving Nucala experienced a HES flare compared to patients receiving a placebo.
Key Takeaways
The FDA approved Nucala, a severe asthma medication, to treat a group of rare blood disorders called HES.This is the first new treatment approved for HES in over a decade.In a clinical trial, 50% fewer patients receiving Nucala experienced a HES flare compared to patients receiving a placebo.
A drug traditionally used to treat severe asthma has been approved for hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES), making it the first medication approved to treat the group of rare blood disorders in almost 14 years.
On September 25, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nucala (mepolizumab) for the treatment of HES in people 12 and older. Specifically, Nucala is indicated for those who’ve experienced HES for six months or longer.
What Are Hypereosinophilic Syndromes?
Everything You Need to Know About Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
These extra eosinophils can make their way into organs like the skin, lungs, heart and nervous system, causing inflammation and eventually leading to organ dysfunction.
Symptoms of HES depend on the body part affected. If HES affects your skin, you may experience symptoms like eczema and hives. If HES affects your lungs, symptoms may include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
How Nucala Can Help
In the randomized, double-blind study, 108 participants received either an injection of Nucala or a placebo every four weeks for 32 weeks in addition to standard of care treatment. While 56% of the placebo group experienced HES flares during the 8-month study, only 28% of the Nucala group experienced flares.
HES is typically treated with steroids or chemotherapy, the latter of which can have significantside effects. Some HES patients treated with Nucala reported only mild side effects, including upper respiratory tract infection and pain in extremities.
What This Means For YouNucala may be more effective and have fewer side effects than current HES treatments. If you’re living with one of these blood disorders, consider asking your doctor about Nucala.
What This Means For You
Nucala may be more effective and have fewer side effects than current HES treatments. If you’re living with one of these blood disorders, consider asking your doctor about Nucala.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug to treat group of rare blood disorders in nearly 14 years. Updated September 25, 2020.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES).GSK.Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is the major cytokine responsible for the growth and differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug to treat group of rare blood disorders in nearly 14 years. Updated September 25, 2020.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES).GSK.Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is the major cytokine responsible for the growth and differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug to treat group of rare blood disorders in nearly 14 years. Updated September 25, 2020.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES).GSK.Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is the major cytokine responsible for the growth and differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.
Food and Drug Administration.FDA approves first drug to treat group of rare blood disorders in nearly 14 years. Updated September 25, 2020.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES).
GSK.Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is the major cytokine responsible for the growth and differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
