Eosinophils are a form of white blood cell that is often present in people suffering from allergies. People with asthma and high levels of eosinophils who used steroid inhalers were given either a new drug or a placebo. Read extracts from the abstract of this study that appear below, and then evaluate the study. See page 612 for questions and guidance. "Methods: We enrolled patients with persistent, moderate- to-severe asthma and a blood eosinophil count of at least 300 cells per microliter . . . who used medium-dose to high dose inhaled glucocorticoids. . . . We administered dupilumab (300 mg) or placebo subcutaneously once weekly. The primary end point was the occurrence of an asthma exacerbation [worsening].
Conclusions: In patients with persistent, moderate-to severe asthma and elevated eosinophil levels who used inhaled glucocorticoids and LABAs, dupilumab therapy, as compared with placebo, was associated with fewer asthma exacerbations [worsenings]."