A Potential Breakthrough: New Injection Shows Promise in Fighting Asthma and COPD Exacerbations
A new treatment for severe asthma and COPD attacks could revolutionize the way these conditions are managed. A clinical trial has shown that a single injection of a drug called benralizumab is more effective than traditional steroid tablets, significantly improving respiratory symptoms and reducing the need for further treatment.
Targeting Inflammation at the Source: How Benralizumab Works
Benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody, targets specific white blood cells called eosinophils, which play a key role in causing lung inflammation during asthma and COPD exacerbations.
In the past, benralizumab has been used at a lower dose to manage severe asthma on a long-term basis. However, this new research showed that a higher single dose could be highly effective when injected during an attack.
Trial Provides Promising Results
The study involved 158 participants who needed emergency care for asthma or COPD exacerbations. They all received a quick blood test to determine if they were experiencing an “eosinophilic exacerbation” driven by eosinophils as part of the inflammation. These types of exacerbations account for roughly 50% of asthma attacks and are also common in about 30% of COPD cases.
The participants were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received the benralizumab injection and a placebo tablet, while the second received standard care with prednisolone steroids (30mg daily for five days) and a placebo injection. The third group received both the benralizumab injection and the steroid medication.
After four weeks, those receiving benralizumab had significantly better symptom control for cough, wheezing, breathlessness, and sputum production.
After 90 days, those who received benralizumab had four times fewer treatment failures compared to those treated with steroids.
Potential Benefits for Patients
Importantly, treatment with benralizumab lasted longer, meaning fewer visits to the doctor or hospital were needed.
Patients who received the benralizumab injection also reported a better quality of life overall. This is particularly significant because current steroid treatments, while effective, can have serious side effects such as increased risk of diabetes and osteoporosis. By focusing directly on the inflammation driving the exacerbation, benralizumab may offer a safer and more targeted approach.
Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel stated, “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined. Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma. We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation – to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets, which is the only treatment currently available.”
Wider Impact: Shifting Treatment Strategies
“Benralizumab could also potentially be administered safely at home or in a GP practice, as well as A&E.
What makes the new benralizumab treatment approach different from previous uses of the drug?
## A Potential Breakthrough: New Injection Shows Promise in Fighting Asthma and COPD Exacerbations
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show! Today we’re discussing a potential breakthrough in treating severe asthma and COPD attacks. With us today is Dr. [Guest Name], a leading pulmonologist who specializes in these conditions. Dr. [Guest Name], thanks for joining us.
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me.
**Interviewer:**
Let’s get straight to it. Can you tell our viewers about this new treatment and what makes it so promising?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely. This new treatment involves a single injection of a drug called benralizumab.
What’s exciting about this is that it targets a specific type of white blood cell called eosinophils, which are major players in the lung inflammation that causes these severe attacks. [[1](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(24)00299-6/fulltext)]
**Interviewer:**
So, this isn’t a completely new drug then?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** That’s right. Benralizumab has been used before in lower doses for long-term management of severe asthma [[1](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(24)00299-6/fulltext)].
But this new research shows that a single, higher dose given during an attack can be incredibly effective.
**Interviewer:**
That’s incredible! What kind of results are we seeing?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:**
The study showed that benralizumab was more effective than traditional steroid tablets at improving respiratory symptoms and reducing the need for further medical intervention. [[1](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(24)00299-6/fulltext)]Remember, these were patients who required emergency care for their exacerbations.
**Interviewer:**
That’s fantastic news for those with severe asthma and COPD. What’s the next step for making this treatment available to the public?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:**
More research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the optimal dosage and treatment regimen. But the initial results are very promising, and I’m hopeful that this could be a game-changer for managing these conditions.
**Interviewer:**
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today, Dr. [Guest Name].
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** It was my pleasure.
