Breakthrough Treatment Shows Promise for Asthma and COPD Sufferers
Single Injection Could Transform Care for Millions
A groundbreaking new treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks is showing incredible promise. Researchers say the injection offers a significant advantage over traditional steroid tablets, potentially chopping hospital visits in half. The findings are being hailed as the first major step forward in treatment in nearly 50 years.
The study, which was published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, revealed that benralizumab – a monoclonal antibody currently used to manage severe asthma – could be even more effective when given as a higher, single dose at the onset of an attack. This was particularly true for those experiencing an “eosinophilic exacerbation,” which accounts for roughly 50% of asthma attacks and 30% of COPD attacks.
“This could be a gamechanger for people with asthma and COPD,” says the lead investigator. “Treatment for these conditions briefly had not changed in 50 years, despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide annually combined. Benralizumab is already a safe and effective drug, but we’ve used it in a different way – at the point of exacerbation – to show it’s more effective than steroids, which are the only option currently available.”
Asthma and COPD
The study involved 158 individuals seeking medical attention for severe asthma or COPD attacks. Participants deemed suitable treatment received a quick blood test to identify those suffering from an “eosinophilic exacerbation.” Patients were then divided into three groups:
* Group 1 received the benralizumab injection and dummy tablets, mimicking a placebo
* Group 2 received standard steroid tablets (30mg prednisolone daily for five days) and a dummy injection
* Group 3 received both the benralizumab injection and steroid treatment
After 28 days, those receiving benralizumab showed significant improvement in respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheezing, breathlessness and sputum production. The benefits were even more pronounced after 90 days, with the benralizumab group experiencing four times fewer treatment failures compared to those receiving the steroid treatment alone. “Treatment with the
benralizumab injection also took longer to fail, meaning fewer visits to a GP or hospital.” Researchers reported, adding that patients in the benralizumbab group also reported improved quality of life.
Further Benefits
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Besides being more effective, benralizumab may offer a safer alternative to steroids.
While effective, chronic steroid use can lead to serious side effects like increased risk of diabetes and osteoporosis. Switching to benralizumab could provide significant healthcare benefits. The injection might also be able to be administered safely at home or in a GP practice, further improving patient experience. Researchers say more studies are
needed to determine optimal dosage and confirm the long-term implications. Dr. Ramakrishnan expressed his excitement about the nationwide roll out of the new treatment:
“COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century. We need to provide these patients with life-saving options beforehand their time runs out.”
The study was funded by AstraZeneca, which provided the drug, welcoming the findings, Dr. Samantha Walker, director of research and innovation at Asthma and Lung UK,
, said, “It’s appalling that this is the first new treatment for those suffering from asthma and COPD attacks in 50 years, indicating how desperately underfunded lung health research is.” Experts hope the findings will accelerate much needed funding for further research and development for COPD and Asthma.
* People with Asthma and COPD often experience exacerbations. What are the key differences between “eosinophilic exacerbations” and other types of exacerbations, and why is the distinction important in regards to this study ?
## Breakthrough Asthma and COPD Treatment: An Interview
**(Host):** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a potential game changer in the treatment of asthma and COPD. Joining us to discuss this exciting new research is Dr. [Guest Name], lead investigator of the study published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal. Dr. [Guest Name], thank you for joining us.
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** Thank you for having me.
**(Host):** This research has generated a lot of excitement. Can you tell our viewers what makes this discovery so significant?
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** Absolutely. For the past 50 years, steroid tablets have been the standard treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations. While they can be helpful, they are not perfect and can come with side effects. Our research has shown that benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody already used in managing severe asthma, can be much more effective when given as a single, higher dose at the onset of an attack.
**(Host):** This sounds promising! Can you explain what makes benralizumab different and how it works?
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** Benralizumab specifically targets a type of white blood cell called eosinophils, which play a key role in the inflammation that causes asthma and COPD symptoms. This targeted approach means it can directly address the root cause of these exacerbations.
**(Host):** The study mentioned “eosinophilic exacerbations.” Can you elaborate on what those are and why they are important in this context?
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** Eosinophilic exacerbations are attacks where eosinophils are the main drivers of inflammation. They account for about half of asthma attacks and 30% of COPD attacks. This study focused on these specific types of attacks because benralizumab was particularly effective in treating them.
**(Host):** So, could this treatment potentially reduce the need for hospital visits associated with these conditions?
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** That’s certainly what our results suggest. Patients who received benralizumab showed significant improvement in their symptoms and required less medical intervention compared to those who received standard steroid treatment.
**(Host):** This is truly revolutionary news for millions suffering from asthma and COPD.
**(Dr. [Guest Name]):** We are very excited about the potential of this treatment to improve the lives of patients. Of course, further research and clinical trials are needed, but this study represents a significant step forward in the fight against these debilitating conditions.
**(Host):** Thank you, Dr. [Guest Name], for sharing this groundbreaking research with us. We’re eager to see what the future holds for this new approach to treating asthma and COPD.
