Mepolizumab for treatment of Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome - A pilot study

This is a multi site open label pilot study designed to assess feasibility of further studies looking at the utility of mepolizumab in the treatment of DRESS syndrome. This is an investigator initiated study, with study drug being provided by GlaxoSmithKline. DRESS syndrome is a potentially life threatening, idiosyncratic adverse drug reaction. It is typically accompanied by morbilliform rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, haematological abnormalities including eosinophilia and the presence of atypical lymphocytes, and multiple organ involvement. A number of drugs can cause DRESS syndrome and the common causes include antiepileptic drugs, allopurinol and sulfonamides. We aim to recruit 8 participants over 1.5 - 2 years across the study sites. Mepolizumab, a humanised monoclonal antibody that targets IL5, will be used in conjunction with standard therapy in participants with DRESS syndrome. Mepolizumab is currently approved for use in refractory eosinophilic asthma. Participants will be involved in the study for ~6 months. In addition to standard care investigations/monitoring, blood samples for cytokine analysis and lymphocyte profiling, and patient reported outcome measures will be collected at each visit.