What is Fasenra used for and how does it work?
Fasenra injection may be used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and children aged 6 years and older or eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults.
Fasenra's mechanism of action (MOA) involves specifically targeting eosinophils, which are white blood cells associated with inflammation found in the airways of people with asthma and tissues of people with EGPA. Fasenra binds to interleukin receptor (IL-5Ra) found on the surface of eosinophils which blocks the effects of interleukin 5, a cytokine that is crucial for eosinophil development. Cytokines are small secreted proteins that are involved in cell signaling and interactions. By binding to IL-5, Fasenra reduces the production and survival of eosinophils, reducing the number of eosinophils in tissues and the blood. Eosinophils play a key role in inflammation and certain conditions such as asthma, EGPA, cancer, and parasitic infections..
Fasenra also binds to and activates another receptor called FcγRIIIa found on natural killer (NK) cells (also a type of white blood cell). This enhances the programmed cell death of eosinophils via a process called antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). It also enhances the apoptosis of basophils. Basophils are yet another type of white blood cell that also play a role in the airway inflammation associated with asthma.
Fasenra may also be called a biologic. Fasenra belongs to the drug class Interleukin inhibitors.
Related questions
- What are monoclonal antibodies?
- Does Fasenra weaken your immune system?
- How long does Fasenra take to work?
Fasenra mechanism of action summary
Fasenra is a monoclonal antibody that has a targeted approach. Fasenra works by:
- Depleting the number of eosinophils
- Blocking IL-5 from binding to eosinophils, which prevents IL-5 from helping eosinophils to multiply and survive
- Enhancing the ability of natural killer (NK) cells to kill eosinophils
- Enhancing the ability of NK cells to kill basophils, which also play a role in the airway-inflammation associated with asthma and tissue inflammation in EGPA.
References
- American Partnership of Eosinophilic Disorders (Apfed). Eosinophilic Asthma. https://apfed.org/about-ead/eosinophilic-asthma/
- Fasenra Prescribing Information. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/761070s021lbl.pdf
- Pelaia C, Calabrese C, Vatrella A, et al. Benralizumab: From the Basic Mechanism of Action to the Potential Use in the Biological Therapy of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma. Biomed Res Int. 2018; 2018: 4839230. doi: 10.1155/2018/4839230
- Pelaia C, Calabrese C, Vatrella A, Busceti MT, Garofalo E, Lombardo N, Terracciano R, Pelaia G. Benralizumab: From the Basic Mechanism of Action to the Potential Use in the Biological Therapy of Severe Eosinophilic Asthma. Biomed Res Int. 2018 May 10;2018:4839230. doi: 10.1155/2018/4839230
- Cushen B, Menzies-Gow A. Benralizumab: an updated treatment of eosinophilic asthma. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2020 May;14(5):435-444. doi: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1739526
- Eck S, Castro M, Sinibaldi D, et al. Benralizumab effect on blood basophil counts in adults with uncontrolled asthma. European Respiratory Journal Sep 2014, 44 (Suppl 58) P297; https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P297
Read next
What eosinophil count is needed for Fasenra?
Fasenra may be an option for severe asthma if you have an eosinophil count of at least 150-300 cells per microliter (cells/μL), determined from a common blood test, plus you have required an oral corticosteroid treatment (like prednisone) at least twice per year, despite maximum inhalation therapy.
Continue reading
Is Symbicort a steroid inhaler?
Symbicort contains an inhaled corticosteroid (“steroid”) known as budesonide to reduce inflammation in the lungs, but also contains a medicine known as formoterol. Formoterol is a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways to improve breathing. Continue reading
How long can you be on Symbicort?
Symbicort is used for long-term treatment in both asthma and COPD. However, if you have asthma and your symptoms improve to the point where you no longer need a long-acting beta agonist such as formoterol, your doctor may decide to switch you to an inhaler that only contains a corticosteroid. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What type of asthma is Fasenra used to treat?
- How fast does Dupixent work?
- What does Symbicort do to the lungs?
- Why does Dupixent cause eye problems?
- Trelegy vs. Breo: How does their use and cost compare?
- How often can I use my Symbicort inhaler?
- Symbicort vs. Advair: How do they compare?
- Does Dupixent cause weight gain?
- How long does it take for Symbicort to work?
- How long can Dupixent stay out of the fridge?
- When should you use Symbicort?
- How does Dupixent work and what is its mechanism of action?
- How does the Nucala copay card work and do I qualify?
- Can you take Symbicort and prednisone together?
- Does Dupixent cause joint pain?
- Is Xolair an immunosuppressant?
- Can you take Trelegy and Symbicort together?
- How long before Xolair starts working?
- Does Dupixent cause hair loss?
- How do you inject Dupixent?
- Is Symbicort used as a rescue or maintenance inhaler?
- Does Xolair cause cancer?
- How does Xolair work?
- Can you take Dupixent a day early?
- ProAir Digihaler vs Respiclick, what's the difference?
- How long can Xolair stay out of the fridge?
- How does Dupixent help with asthma?
- Xolair and Covid-19 vaccine, what should I know?
- How long does it take for Nucala to work?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Fasenra (6 questions, 16 members)
- Benralizumab (2 questions, 3 members)
- Asthma - Maintenance (77 questions, 135 members)
- Asthma (124 questions, 473 members)
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (9 questions, 18 members)