@article{10.37349/eaa.2026.1009127,
abstract = {Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial to predicting disease evolution and guiding therapy. We analyzed clinical, biological, and functional data from 33 patients with EGPA in the vasculitic phase. Blood eosinophil count (BEC), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), specific IgE to staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE-IgE), and serum free light chains (FLCs) were evaluated. Severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs) were present in 100% and 88.5% of patients, respectively. Median BEC was 1950 cells/mm3, with elevated ECP (60.0 µg/L). SE-IgE was detected in 54.2% of patients. A significant negative correlation emerged between λ FLCs and oral corticosteroid (OCS) dose (r = –0.58, p = 0.009). Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was significantly lower in C-ANCA+ patients (p = 0.006). ECP and SE-IgE may serve as markers of eosinophilic activity and epithelial barrier damage in EGPA. λ FLCs might be a useful indicator of OCS exposure and treatment response. These biomarkers could support the evaluation of disease evolution and treatment response.},
author = {Caruso, Cristiano and Baglivo, Ilaria and Colantuono, Stefania and Zavarella, Maria Antonietta and Longhino, David and Laface, Chiara and Bruno, Laura and Lucca, Gabriele and Selvi, Fabio Romano and Carluccio, Eleonora Di and Ciasca, Gabriele and Basile, Umberto and Niccolini, Benedetta and Rigante, Mario and Corso, Eugenio De and Gasbarrini, Antonio and Capoccetta, Giovanni Battista and Anselmi, Paola and Detoraki, Aikaterini and Greco, Elisabetta and Bondi, Benedetta and Patella, Vincenzo and Giacco, Stefano Del},
doi = {10.37349/eaa.2026.1009127},
journal = {Exploration of Asthma & Allergy},
elocation-id = {1009127},
title = {Immunological and epithelial barrier dysfunction in EGPA: the possible role of new biomarkers},
url = {https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/eaa/Article/1009127},
volume = {4},
year = {2026}
}