Doctors are hailing the biggest breakthrough in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks in 50 years.
Diseases that affect tens of millions of people will now be much easier to treat with an injection.
The result of trials with an injection of benralizumab could be a game-changer for millions of people around the world, and doctors welcome the first breakthrough in the treatment of asthma and COPD in 50 years, writes
The study found that giving patients an injection was more effective than current care with steroid tablets and reduced the need for additional treatment by 30%.
The results, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, could change treatment for millions of people with asthma and COPD worldwide.
Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets certain white blood cells, called eosinophils, to reduce lung inflammation. It is used as a repeat treatment for severe asthma with a low dose, but the study found that a larger single dose could be very effective if injected at the time of an attack.
Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel, from King’s College London, said: “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations has not changed in 50 years, despite causing a combined 3.8 million deaths worldwide each year.”
“Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma. We used the drug in a different way – at the time of an exacerbation – to show that it is more effective than steroid tablets, which is the only treatment currently available.”
The study involved 158 people who needed medical attention for their asthma or COPD attack.
Patients were given a quick blood test to see what type of attack they were having, with those suffering from an “eosinophilic flare” being suitable for treatment.
How did the study go?
About 50 percent of asthma attacks are eosinophilic exacerbations, as are 30 percent of COPD attacks, according to scientists.
The trial at the NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust involved patients who were randomly divided into three groups.
One group received the benralizumab injection and inactive tablets. Another group received standard care of the steroid prednisolone, 30 mg daily for five days, and an inactive injection. The third group received the injection of benralizumab and steroids.
After 28 days, respiratory symptoms of cough, wheezing, dyspnea and expectoration were found to be better in those treated with benralizumab. After 90 days, there were four times fewer people in the benralizumab group who had failed treatment compared with those who received steroids.
Treatment with the benralizumab injection also lasted longer until a new seizure occurred, meaning fewer visits to a family doctor or hospital for patients, the researchers said. In addition, people also reported a better quality of life in the new regime.
Scientists said steroids could have severe side effects, such as increasing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, meaning switching to benralizumab could offer huge benefits.
“COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide”
Benralizumab could also be safely administered at home or in a general practitioner’s office, as well as in the emergency room, they said. AstraZeneca provided the study drug and funded the research, but had no input into the design, delivery, analysis or interpretation of the study.
Dr. Lead author Sanjay Ramakrishnan, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia, said: “Our study shows massive promise for the treatment of asthma and COPD.”
“COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, but treatment for this condition is stuck in the 20th century. We need to offer these patients lifesaving options before their time runs out.”
Dr. Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK, welcomed the findings but said: “It is appalling that this is the first new treatment for asthma and COPD sufferers in 50 years, showing how the underfunding of lung health research is desperate.”
