FX.co ★ Study Says Benralizumab Could Treat Asthma Attacks

Researchers at King's College London have unveiled a promising new treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations, which holds potential to significantly transform patient care.

Professor Mona Bafadhel, leading the investigation at King's College London, remarked, "This discovery could be revolutionary for individuals with asthma and COPD. Current treatments for exacerbations have remained unchanged for five decades, despite these conditions contributing to 3.8 million deaths globally each year."

The findings, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, demonstrate that administering a higher single dose of Benralizumab may be substantially more effective in managing severe asthma compared to lower doses traditionally used.

Professor Bafadhel elaborated, "Benralizumab is already a proven, safe, and effective medication for severe asthma management. We have repurposed the drug, using it at the onset of an exacerbation, showcasing its superiority over steroid tablets, which are currently the sole treatment option available."

Marketed by AstraZeneca (AZN), Benralizumab targets eosinophils, a type of white blood cell responsible for causing inflammation and damage within the lungs.

Involving 158 participants requiring treatment for asthma or COPD exacerbations, the study employed a swift blood test to determine the type of attack experienced.

Participants were sorted into three groups: one group received Benralizumab injections paired with placebo tablets, another received the standard care involving 30mg daily doses of prednisolone steroids for five days along with a placebo injection, and the final group received both the Benralizumab injection and steroids.

Results indicated that individuals treated with Benralizumab had reduced hospital admissions, diminished need for further treatments, and lower mortality rates. Additionally, these patients reported significant improvements in their quality of life.

"This development is indeed transformative—we haven’t witnessed such a pivotal change in treatment in 50 years. It holds the potential to revolutionize the care provided to seriously ill patients," concluded Prof. Bafadhel.

Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan, the first author of the study, added, "COPD ranks as the third leading cause of death worldwide, yet its treatment seems trapped in an era long past. It is imperative to offer these patients life-saving alternatives before it’s too late."