Scientists have discovered the first new treatment in 50 years for severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) attacks, with trial results showing a single injection could reduce the need for further treatment by 30% compared to standard steroid tablets.
The findings, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine, demonstrate that benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting specific white blood cells, could transform treatment for millions of patients worldwide.
The drug, already used in low doses as a repeat treatment for severe asthma, proved highly effective at higher single doses when administered during acute attacks, according to the research led by King’s College London.
Prof Mona Bafadhel of King’s College London, who led the investigation, said the treatment could be “a gamechanger” for patients.
She noted that existing treatments for these conditions, which cause 3.8 million deaths annually worldwide, have remained unchanged for five decades.
The trial, conducted across Oxford University Hospital’s NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, involved 158 patients requiring emergency care for asthma or COPD attacks.
Researchers used blood tests to identify suitable patients experiencing “eosinophilic exacerbations”, which account for about half of asthma attacks and 30 percent of COPD cases.
Results showed patients receiving benralizumab experienced improved respiratory symptoms after 28 days, with four times fewer treatment failures over 90 days compared to those on standard steroid treatment.
Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, clinical senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia and first author of the study, said the findings showed “massive promise” for treatment, particularly for COPD, which ranks as the world’s third leading cause of death.
The research, funded by AstraZeneca, which also provided the drug, was conducted independently of the pharmaceutical company.
Dr Samantha Walker, research and innovation director at Asthma and Lung UK, praised the breakthrough but criticised the long wait for new treatments, calling it “appalling” and indicative of underfunding in lung health research.
Researchers suggest the treatment could potentially be administered in GP practices or at home, as well as in emergency departments, and could help patients avoid the severe side effects associated with steroids, including increased risks of diabetes and osteoporosis.
