Criner GJ, Celli BR, Singh D, et al. - Given no significant reduction in exacerbations was reported in relation to treatment with benralizumab vs placebo in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients involved in the phase 3 GALATHEA and TERRANOVA trials, researchers examined individual study as well as pooled outcomes from GALATHEA and TERRANOVA in order to define clinical and physiological features of COPD patients that could aid to recognize people who are likely to have the greatest treatment effect with benralizumab. Among 2,665 patients exhibiting high blood eosinophil counts, those with a history of more frequent exacerbations, poorer baseline lung function, or greater baseline lung function improvement with short-acting bronchodilators showed treatment effect with benralizumab every 8 weeks at 100 mg, but not at 30 mg. Benralizumab 100 mg every 8 weeks vs placebo was likely beneficial for patients with high baseline blood eosinophil counts, with three or more exacerbations in the prior year, and who were taking triple therapy. In this study, a subpopulation of COPD patients who experienced decreases in exacerbations with benralizumab therapy was identified by a combination of elevated blood eosinophil counts and clinical characteristics. The likely efficacy of benralizumab 100 mg for this subpopulation was identified by these hypothesis-generating analyses.