Researchers say they have found the first new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years.
The findings stem from the realisation that not all asthma or COPD attacks are the same.
Eosinophils are implicated in about half of asthma attacks and a third of COPD flare-ups.
Prof Bafadhel said this could benefit a huge number of people as two million attacks a year “is not a small number”.
“This is a game-changer, we’ve not had a change in treatment for 50 years – it will revolutionise how we treat people when they’re really unwell,” Prof Bafadhel said.
The first novel asthma attack treatment in fifty years has been discovered, according to researchers.
The injection calms a portion of the immune system that may become hyperactive during flare-ups of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Although benralizumab is currently only used in the most severe cases, new research indicates that it may be used regularly for about two million attacks annually in the UK.
The medication was a “game-changer” that could “revolutionise” care, according to the King’s College London research team.
The conclusions are based on the understanding that not every attack of COPD or asthma is the same. Rather, in some patients, different immune system components are overreacting.
Professor Mona Bafadhel of King’s said, “Now that we can see that there are different patterns of inflammation, we can be smarter and get the right treatment, to the right patient, at the right time.”.
Benralizumab targets eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that can damage and cause inflammation in the lungs.
Approximately one-third of COPD flare-ups and half of asthma attacks are linked to eosinophils.
Doctors currently prescribe a course of steroids if an attack involving breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness cannot be managed with standard inhalers.
158 participants in the study were followed up with for a flare-up for three months following treatment.
This is the treatment failure rate, according to the findings published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
7.4% while using steroids.
and 45% using the new treatment.
Patients receiving the new treatment had a lower risk of dying, requiring additional treatment, or being admitted to the hospital.
Prof. Bafadhel stated that two million attacks annually “is not a small number” and that this could help a great number of people.
Professor Bafadhel declared, “This is a game-changer, we haven’t had a change in treatment in 50 years – it will revolutionize how we treat people when they’re really unwell.”.
Additionally, volunteers reported better quality of life and fewer symptoms while taking the new medication.
One of the participants in the trial was 55-year-old Oxfordshire resident Alison Spooner. Since childhood, she has had asthma, but during the last five years, it has gotten worse and she has experienced three significant attacks.
She told me, “They seemed to be getting worse, and when you’re gasping and there’s nothing to gasp at, the severe lack of breath was quite frightening.”.
Alison claims that after receiving the injection, she felt “drastically different” and continues to use her inhalers, but “only because I’ve been told to.”.
Although there isn’t a medication that can totally eliminate asthma, this is the closest thing. Actually, it’s something of a miracle,” she continues.
Benralizumab isn’t yet suitable for widespread use.
To be sure of any benefit, a larger trial that will begin in 2025 and last for two years is still required. Those who are currently taking these medications ought to keep taking them as directed.
Due to the high cost of monoclonal antibodies, such as this treatment, that study will also need to evaluate cost-effectiveness.
However, despite being one of the leading causes of death globally, COPD treatment is “stuck in the 20th Century,” according to Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan of the University of Oxford, who also stated that the work to date “shows massive promise.”.
