Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are both chronic respiratory conditions that significantly impact millions worldwide. For years, steroid tablets have been the go-to treatment for managing flare-ups of these conditions. However, recent findings from a groundbreaking clinical trial have shown that a new injectable drug, benralizumab, could revolutionize the treatment of asthma and COPD exacerbations, offering better outcomes than steroids.
The Problem with Current Treatments
Every year, asthma and COPD lead to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths, with exacerbations causing severe symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. In the UK alone, someone experiences an asthma attack every 10 seconds, and approximately 85 people with COPD die each day. Despite the prevalence and severity of these diseases, treatment options for exacerbations have remained largely unchanged for over fifty years, with steroid medications such as prednisolone being the primary intervention. While these steroids help reduce lung inflammation, they come with significant side effects, including diabetes and osteoporosis. Moreover, many patients do not respond to steroid treatment, requiring repeated courses or even re-hospitalization.
The Breakthrough: Benralizumab
The recent phase two clinical trial, called the ABRA study, examined the effects of a monoclonal antibody called benralizumab on asthma and COPD flare-ups. This drug, which targets eosinophils (a type of white blood cell involved in inflammation), has been used for severe asthma but is now being repurposed to treat acute exacerbations in both asthma and COPD patients. The trial, led by researchers at King’s College London and the University of Oxford, demonstrated that a single injection of benralizumab at the onset of an exacerbation could significantly reduce the need for additional treatments and hospitalizations, outperforming the traditional steroid tablet approach.
How the Study Was Conducted
In the ABRA trial, participants at high risk for asthma or COPD exacerbations were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: one group received benralizumab and a placebo tablet, another received the standard steroid treatment (prednisolone) along with a placebo injection, and the third group received both treatments. The study was double-blind, meaning neither participants nor researchers knew which treatment was being administered, ensuring unbiased results.
After 28 days, the group that received benralizumab experienced significant improvements in symptoms like cough, breathlessness, and wheezing. Moreover, after 90 days, the benralizumab group had four times fewer instances of treatment failure compared to those on steroids. These results suggest that benralizumab not only alleviates symptoms more effectively but also helps prevent the recurrence of exacerbations, ultimately improving patients’ quality of life.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
For decades, the treatment of asthma and COPD exacerbations has remained stagnant, despite the growing number of individuals affected. The introduction of benralizumab as a targeted therapy marks a significant step forward. Professor Mona Bafadhel, lead investigator of the study, emphasized that the findings could potentially change the way asthma and COPD exacerbations are treated globally. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, targeted therapies like benralizumab could provide more personalized and effective treatments based on a patient’s unique condition.
Additionally, while benralizumab was administered under medical supervision during the trial, its potential for at-home administration offers great promise. Patients could potentially receive the injection at their GP’s office or even at home, offering convenience and reducing the burden on healthcare facilities.
A Step Towards Better Lung Health
This breakthrough is especially timely given the alarming global statistics surrounding asthma and COPD. Together, these conditions are responsible for 3.8 million deaths each year. The ABRA trial’s success paves the way for more advanced treatments that could ultimately save lives and improve the quality of life for millions of individuals living with these debilitating conditions. However, experts also stress that much more needs to be done to advance lung health research and funding.
Dr. Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Innovation at Asthma + Lung UK, expressed her hope that this new treatment could signal a shift in how asthma and COPD exacerbations are approached. She also highlighted the urgent need for increased research funding to address the growing burden of lung diseases, which remain underfunded despite their global impact.
Real-World Impact
For patients like Geoffrey Pointing, who participated in the trial, the benefits of benralizumab were clear. He reported fewer side effects compared to steroid tablets, including improved sleep and a return to daily activities without the limitations of asthma flare-ups. “It’s fantastic,” Geoffrey said. “I was able to carry on with my life without problems.”
Conclusion
The results of the ABRA trial represent a major advancement in the treatment of asthma and COPD, offering hope for better management of exacerbations and improving outcomes for patients worldwide. As benralizumab and similar targeted therapies gain traction, it is hoped that they will become a cornerstone in the fight against these chronic respiratory diseases. However, as researchers continue to innovate, the need for sustained investment in lung health research remains crucial to transforming the future for all those affected by these conditions.
This study, supported by AstraZeneca UK Limited, was published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, shedding light on a brighter future for asthma and COPD treatment.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20241127/New-injection-treatment-could-be-a-game-changer-for-people-with-asthma-and-COPD.aspx
