Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) often accompanies uncontrolled asthma, and relapses are typical, although the response to steroids is good. Anti-interleukin 5 (IL-5) is expected to be a good option for patients with CEP who relapsed during steroid tapering.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the experience of 4 to 11 months follow-up after applying reslizumab in five patients with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia accompanying asthma.

Results: Reslizumab was administered at a dose of 3mg/kg to four patients with CEP who responded to steroids but had three or more recurrences and one patient with two recurrences and severe steroid side effects. Four out of five patients could withdraw steroids within the first two months, and one maintained 5 mg of prednisolone. Asthma exacerbation was observed in two patients, but there was no recurrence of CEP while maintaining the dosing interval within three months in all five patients. One patient who discontinued reslizumab relapsed after six months and restarted the drug, and there were no adverse reactions in all patients.

Conclusions: As with other anti-IL-5 agents, reslizumab could be an alternative treatment as a steroid-sparing agent in frequent relapsing CEP accompanying asthma.