A new treatment for asthma attacks, the first in 50 years, has been described as a “game-changer” by doctors and patients alike. The clinical trial of benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody designed to target specific white blood cells known as eosinophils, has demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to traditional steroid tablets, particularly for those with severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Steroids, while commonly prescribed, can have serious side effects such as increasing the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis. Scientists at King’s College London highlighted that replacing steroids with benralizumab for the treatment of COPD could provide substantial benefits for patients, particularly given the chronic and often severe nature of the disease.
“COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century. We need to provide these patients with life-saving options before their time runs out,” said Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, first author of the study and clinical senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia.
The study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, hypothesized that a single dose of benralizumab, alone or in combination with prednisolone (a steroid), would outperform prednisolone alone in improving patient outcomes. To test this, researchers at King’s College London conducted a trial involving 158 participants, all of whom were receiving medical attention in A&E (accident and emergency) for asthma or COPD attacks.
The participants took blood tests to determine the type of attack they were experiencing. Only those diagnosed with “eosinophilic exacerbation” were eligible for treatment. The study compared the need for additional treatment and symptom improvement after 28 days across three groups: those treated with prednisolone alone, those treated with benralizumab alone, and those who received a combination of the two drugs.
Benralizumab, typically used in ower doses for long-term treatment of severe asthma, was found to be highly effective even when administered as a single higher dose during an acute flare-up. After 28 days, patients who received benralizumab showed significant improvements in respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and sputum production.
The results were even more striking after 90 days: the benralizumab group had four times fewer treatment failures compared to the steroid-only group. Additionally, treatment failure occurred later in the benralizumab group, meaning patients needed fewer visits to their GP or hospital, making it a more convenient and effective option.
