Scientists claim to have discovered the first novel asthma attack remedy in half a century.
Part of the immune system that can go into overdrive during flare-ups of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is dampened by the injection.
According to recent study, benralizumab may be routinely used for over two million attacks annually in the UK, while it is now only used in the most severe cases.
The medication is a “game-changer” that has the potential to “revolutionise” healthcare, according to the King’s College London study team.
The conclusions are based on the understanding that not every incident of COPD or asthma is the same. Rather, various immune system components are overreacting in distinct people.
“Now we can see there are different patterns of inflammation, we can be smarter and get the right treatment, to the right patient, at the right time,” said Mona Bafadhel, a professor at King
Benralizumab targets eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that can damage and cause inflammation in the lungs.
A third of COPD flare-ups and around half of asthma attacks are linked to eosinophils.
Currently, doctors prescribe a course of steroids if an attack involving breathing difficulties, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness cannot be managed with standard inhalers.
Patients in the 158-person research were watched for flare-ups for three months following treatment.
According to findings published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the new therapy had a treatment failure rate of 45% while steroids had a 74% rate.
Individuals receiving the new therapy had a lower risk of dying, requiring more treatment, or being admitted to the hospital.
Prof. Bafadhel stated that two million attacks annually “is not a small number” and that this might help a great number of people.
“This is a game-changer, we’ve not had a change in treatment for 50 years – it will revolutionise how we treat people when they’re really unwell,” Professor Bafadhel stated.