For the first time in 50 years, a new treatment for asthma attacks is being hailed as a “game-changer” by doctors and patients.
The drug benralizumab, which specifically targets white blood cells that cause inflammation in the lungs, has proven highly effective in clinical trials, far outperforming traditional steroid treatments.
The respiratory flare-up that the benralizumab injection treats is called an “eosinophilic exacerbation,” with symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness caused by inflammation caused by high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). Eosinophilic exacerbations account for 30 percent of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) flare-ups and nearly 50 percent of asthma attacks. They can become more frequent as the disease progresses, in some cases leading to irreversible lung damage.
Researchers at King’s College London found that patients who received the penralizumab injection during an attack experienced a significant reduction in symptoms, such as shortness of breath and wheezing, within four weeks. In addition, there was a notable improvement in their quality of life, according to the results published in the scientific journal The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease“).
The study’s lead author, Professor Mona Bafadel, said: “This discovery could be a game-changer for people living with asthma and COPD. We hope it will change the way attacks are managed in the future, improving the health of more than a billion people worldwide.”
Risks and limitations of traditional treatments
Until now, steroid treatments have been the mainstay of treatment for asthma attacks, reducing inflammation in the lungs. However, they are not always effective, leading to repeated hospitalisations for patients. In addition, their long-term use is associated with serious side effects, such as osteoporosis and diabetes.
Benralizumab, which can be used at lower doses to manage symptoms, has been found to offer better results at a higher dose during attacks.
This is welcome news for patients with respiratory problems. But it is disappointing that it has taken 50 years to arrive at such a discovery, which highlights the underfunding of respiratory health research.
A new chapter in the treatment of asthma and COPD
With more than 44,000 people dying each year from COPD and asthma in the UK alone, the discovery brings hope to millions of patients worldwide. While the treatment offers significant benefits, experts stress the need for further investment in research and improved access to innovative treatments.
