New Asthma Attack Treatment Discovered After Five Decades

Researchers report the discovery of the first novel treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. This injectable therapy functions by moderating a component of the immune system that can become overactive during exacerbations of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition. While Benralizumab is currently administered in the most severe instances, the latest research indicates its potential for routine application in approximately two million attacks occurring annually within the UK. The research group at King’s College London characterized the medication as a “game-changer” with the capacity to “revolutionise” patient care. These discoveries emerged from recognizing that asthma and COPD attacks are not uniform, but rather involve distinct components of the immune system over-reacting in individual patients. Prof Mona Bafadhel, affiliated with King’s, stated, “Now we can see there are different patterns of inflammation, we can be smarter and get the right treatment, to the right patient, at the right time.” Benralizumab specifically targets eosinophils, a variety of white blood cell known to induce inflammation and harm within the lungs. Eosinophils are associated with roughly half of all asthma attacks and one-third of COPD flare-ups. When an attack, characterized by difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness, proves unresponsive to standard inhaler treatments, physicians typically prescribe a regimen of steroids. The investigation, which included 158 participants, observed patients for a duration of three months following treatment for a flare-up. Findings published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine indicated a treatment failure rate of: Individuals receiving the novel therapy demonstrated a reduced likelihood of hospital admission, requiring subsequent treatment, or succumbing. Prof Bafadhel commented that this could offer advantages to a substantial population, given that two million attacks per year “is not a small number.” Prof Bafadhel remarked, “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.” Participants in the study additionally reported experiencing enhanced symptoms and an improved quality of life while on the new medication. Alison Spooner, a 55-year-old resident of Oxfordshire, was among the individuals who participated in the trial. She has experienced asthma since childhood, a condition that has deteriorated over the last five years, leading to three significant attacks. She conveyed, “They seemed to be getting worse, the severe lack of breath was quite frightening when you’re gasping and there’s nothing to gasp at.” Alison indicated that she felt “drastically different” after receiving the injection and continues to use her inhalers “only because I’ve been told to.” She further commented, “Unfortunately, no drug gets rid of asthma completely, but this is the nearest thing. It’s a bit of a miracle actually.” Benralizumab is not yet prepared for extensive deployment. A more extensive trial, scheduled to commence in 2025 and span two years, is still required to ascertain its full benefits. Individuals currently prescribed these medications should adhere to their existing prescriptions. The forthcoming study will also necessitate an evaluation of cost-effectiveness, given that monoclonal antibodies, such as this therapeutic agent, represent costly pharmaceuticals. However, Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan of the University of Oxford stated that the research conducted thus far “shows massive promise” and remarked that COPD treatment remained “stuck in the 20th Century,” despite the condition being a prominent global cause of mortality. Prolonged administration of steroids is associated with adverse effects, including weight gain, diabetes, and bone weakening. Geoffrey Pointing, 77, from Oxfordshire, another participant in the trial, commented, “I didn’t get any side effects like I used to with the steroid tablets. “I used to never sleep well the first night of taking steroids, but the first day on the study, I could sleep that first night, and I was able to carry on with my life without problems.”” An estimated four individuals with asthma and 85 individuals with COPD die daily within the UK. Dr Samantha Walker, representing the charity Asthma + Lung UK, characterized the findings as “great news.” She further added, “But it’s appalling that this is the first new treatment for those suffering from asthma and COPD attacks in 50 years.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC assumes no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.