Efficacy and Safety of Mepolizumab in Eosinophilic COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets interleukin-5, a key mediator in eosinophilic inflammation, in reducing moderate-to-severe exacerbations among patients with eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Data Sources:

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched using the terms: “Mepolizumab,” “COPD,” “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,” for randomized controlled trials comparing subcutaneous mepolizumab (100 mg every 4 weeks) with placebo in patients with eosinophilic COPD from inception till July 2025.

Study Selection and Data Extraction:

Randomized controlled trials comparing subcutaneous mepolizumab with placebo in adults with eosinophilic COPD were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data. Finally, 4 studies with a total of 1953 patients were included. Of these, 978 (50.0%) received mepolizumab.

Data Synthesis:

Statistical analysis was performed using R software (version 4.5.0). Mepolizumab significantly prolonged the time to first moderate or severe exacerbation (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-0.92; P = 0.016) and reduced the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations (rate ratio 0.80; 95% CI 0.78-0.83; P < 0.001). The risk of adverse events (AEs) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.00; 95% CI 0.95-1.06; P = 0.962) was similar between groups, while the risk of serious adverse events or death (RR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.72-0.96; P = 0.031) was significantly lower in the mepolizumab group.

Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice in Comparison With Existing Drugs:

Mepolizumab provides a targeted, biomarker-guided treatment option, potentially reducing exacerbations without the added safety concerns like infections and metabolic complications as seen with existing therapies.

Conclusion and Relevance:

Mepolizumab reduces the time to first moderate or severe exacerbation and prolongs symptom-free periods in patients with eosinophilic COPD, without increasing the risk of AEs.