“New approach to asthma and COPD: first breakthrough in 50 years Researchers have found that injections of benralizumab are more effective than steroid pills in treating asthma and COPD attacks. The new method reduces the need for further treatment by 30% and improves the quality of life of patients.”, — write on: unn.ua
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According to the study, offering patients injections was more effective than treating them with steroid pills, and this reduced the need for further treatment by 30%.
Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific white blood cells called eosinophils to reduce lung inflammation. It is used as a low-dose repeat treatment for severe asthma, but research has shown that a larger single dose can be very effective when given during an exacerbation.
This could change the treatment process for people with asthma and COPD. The management of asthma and COPD exacerbations has not changed in the last 50 years, despite the fact that together they cause 3.8 million deaths worldwide per year. Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to treat severe asthma. We used the drug in a different way – at the time of exacerbation – to show that it is more effective than steroid pills, which are the only treatment currently available
158 people who needed emergency medical care due to an asthma attack or COPD took part in the study. Patients were given a quick blood test to determine what type of seizure they had. In addition, those who suffered from “eosinophilic exacerbation” were also suitable for treatment. Scientists note that about 50% of asthma attacks are eosinophilic exacerbations, and 30% of COPD attacks.
The research was conducted under the guidance of King’s College London at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Patients were divided into three groups.
- One group received injections of benralizumab and dummy pills.
- Another group received standard steroid therapy of prednisolone 30 mg daily for five days and a sham injection.
- The third group received injections of benralizumab and steroids.
After 28 days, the researchers found that symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and sputum production improved in those taking benralizumab.
After 90 days, there were four times fewer people in the benralizumab group who were treatment ineffective compared to those who received steroids. The benralizumab injection treatment also took longer to fail, which meant fewer visits to the GP, the researchers said.
In addition, people also reported that their quality of life improved. As the scientists note, steroids can have serious side effects, such as an increased risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, so there is an advantage to switching to benralizumab.
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