Novel Therapies for Eosinophilic Disorders

Abstract

Current therapies for eosinophilic disorders are limited. Most treatment approaches remain empirical, are not supported by data from controlled clinical trials, involve the off-label use of agents developed for treatment of other diseases, and tend to rely heavily on the use of glucocorticoids and other agents with significant toxicity. Great progress has been made in the discovery, preclinical development, and clinical testing of a variety of biologics and small molecules that have the potential to directly or indirectly influence eosinophils, eosinophilic inflammation, and the consequences of eosinophil activation.

Keywords: Antibodies; Biomarkers; Eosinophil; Pharmacology; Targets; Therapies.

Figure 1

Surface molecules expressed by human eosinophils. There is some overlap among categories for some of these proteins. Common names for chemokine receptors, toll-like receptors (TLRs) and others were sometimes used instead of the CD names due to greater use and familiarity among most readers of the former. The asterisk indicates activated eosinophils. Artwork by Jacqueline Schaffer.

Figure 2

Examples of surface receptors that are selectively expressed on human eosinophils and therefore of potential therapeutic relevance. Note that almost all of these are also expressed on basophils and mast cells. Artwork by Jacqueline Schaffer.