# Benralizumab in Corticosteroid-Refractory Drug Reaction With Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms: A Case Report

**Authors:** Katelin R Ross, Elijah Horesh, Milie M Fang, Jesse J Keller

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.86932 · 2025-06-28

## TL;DR

A 20-year-old man with severe DRESS unresponsive to steroids improved rapidly after a single dose of benralizumab, suggesting it as a promising treatment.

## Contribution

Demonstrates benralizumab's efficacy in corticosteroid-refractory DRESS, supporting IL-5 axis blockade as a novel therapeutic strategy.

## Key findings

- The patient showed rapid clinical and laboratory improvement after a single benralizumab dose.
- Benralizumab may be effective in severe DRESS cases unresponsive to corticosteroids.
- IL-5 receptor blockade could be a promising treatment strategy for corticosteroid-refractory DRESS.

## Abstract

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe hypersensitivity reaction involving multiple organ systems. While high-dose systemic corticosteroids are the first-line treatment, some cases are refractory, and effective second-line options are limited. We report a case of a 20-year-old male with lamotrigine-induced DRESS, presenting with rash, fever, eosinophilia, and fulminant hepatic failure unresponsive to corticosteroids. Following a single subcutaneous dose of benralizumab, an interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor monoclonal antibody, the patient exhibited rapid clinical and laboratory improvement, narrowly avoiding liver transplantation. Benralizumab has demonstrated efficacy in corticosteroid-refractory DRESS cases, often achieving resolution with a single dose. This case supports the potential role of IL-5 axis blockade as a promising therapeutic strategy in managing severe DRESS.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** IL5 (interleukin 5)
- **Chemicals:** lamotrigine (PubChem CID 3878)
- **Diseases:** DRESS (MONDO:0015340), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (MONDO:0015340), fulminant hepatic failure (MONDO:0019542)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** fever (MESH:D005334), eosinophilia (MESH:D004802), DRESS (MESH:D063926), Drug Reaction With (MESH:D004342), rash (MESH:D005076), fulminant hepatic failure (MESH:D017114)
- **Chemicals:** Benralizumab (MESH:C571386), lamotrigine (MESH:D000077213)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12303626/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12303626