Cinqaero

Cinqaero is an asthma medicine that is used to treat adults with a particular type of asthma called eosinophilic asthma. It is used as an additional treatment in adults with severe asthma that is not properly controlled by a combination of high-dose corticosteroids taken by inhalation plus another medicine used for the prevention of asthma. The medicine contains the active substance reslizumab.

Cinqaero can only be obtained with a prescription and should be prescribed by doctors with experience in the treatment of eosinophilic asthma. It is available as a concentrate for making a solution for infusion (drip) into a vein. The recommended dose is 3 mg for each kg of bodyweight. The infusion should be given once every four weeks, for as long as the patient is considered to benefit, and doctors should re-assess at least once a year whether treatment should be continued. For further information, see the package leaflet.

In eosinophilic asthma, symptoms are associated with having too many of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils in the blood and in phlegm in the lungs. The active substance in Cinqaero, reslizumab, is a monoclonal antibody designed to attach to a substance called interleukin-5, which stimulates the growth and activity of eosinophils. By attaching to interleukin-5 and blocking its activity, Cinquaero reduces the number of eosinophils in the blood and lungs. This helps to reduce inflammation, resulting in a reduction in asthma attacks and improvement of symptoms.

The benefits of Cinqaero have been shown in two main studies involving 953 patients with eosinophilic asthma that was not well controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and other asthma medication used for the prevention of the disease. Cinqaero was compared with placebo (a dummy infusion), both given every 4 weeks for a year. The main measure of effectiveness was based on the number of flare-ups (exacerbations) of asthma during treatment. Flare-ups were seen in 32% of patients (151 out of 477) given Cinqaero compared with 50% (237 out of 476) of those given placebo. Additionally there was evidence of an improvement in lung function and asthma symptoms, and a decrease in number of eosinophils in the blood in patients given Cinqaero. Supportive data suggested that the benefit was maintained for up to two years.

The most common side effect with Cinqaero (which may affect about 2 people in 100) is an increase in levels of the enzyme creatine phosphokinase in the blood (a measure of possible damage to muscles). Anaphylactic (severe allergic) reactions may affect less than 1 person in 100.

For the full list of all side effects and restrictions with Cinqaero, see the package leaflet.

The Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) decided that Cinqaero’s benefits are greater than its risks and recommended that it be approved for use in the EU. The reduction in flare-ups and improvement in lung function seen with Cinqaero were considered clinically relevant, particularly for patients who cannot be adequately controlled with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and another medicine used for the prevention of asthma. Overall the medicine was well tolerated, and appropriate measures to monitor and manage risks have been put in place.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Cinqaero have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

The European Commission granted a marketing authorisation valid throughout the European Union for Cinqaero on 16 August 2016.

For more information about treatment with Cinqaero, read the package leaflet (also part of the EPAR) or contact your doctor or pharmacist.