A new injection could transform the treatment of asthma and COPD attacks, offering hope for millions, according to scientists. The injection, which is given during flare-ups, has been found to reduce the need for further treatment by 30%, outperforming the traditional steroid tablets currently used.
Research published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine suggests this breakthrough could be a “game-changer” for patients worldwide. In the UK, asthma and COPD attacks are responsible for four asthma-related deaths and 85 COPD-related deaths every day, with the NHS spending £5.9 billion annually on these conditions.
The injection targets eosinophilic exacerbations, a key cause of wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness in these conditions. These exacerbations account for 30% of COPD flare-ups and nearly half of asthma attacks. Unlike the traditional steroid treatments, which have changed little in 50 years and can cause serious side effects, the new treatment is more effective and safer.
Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Oxford found that benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody, significantly reduces lung inflammation during an attack when compared to steroid tablets. The phase II ABRA clinical trial showed major improvements in respiratory symptoms and overall quality of life.
Professor Mona Bafadhel from King’s College London commented, “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD. Our study shows that targeted therapy during an exacerbation is far more effective than current treatments.” Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia, added, “This breakthrough shows massive promise, especially for COPD, which is the third leading cause of death worldwide.”
With asthma and COPD affecting over a billion people globally, researchers hope this new treatment could significantly improve health outcomes and revolutionise how these attacks are managed.
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