New Asthma Treatment Could Prevent Millions of Fatal Lung Attacks

A revolutionary new treatment for asthma brings hope to millions by effectively preventing fatal lung attacks. This breakthrough could transform the lives of asthma sufferers worldwide, offering a significant step forward in respiratory healthcare and potentially saving countless lives.

A groundbreaking new therapy for asthma offers renewed hope to millions by significantly reducing the risk of fatal lung attacks. This innovative treatment marks a significant advancement in respiratory care and has the potential to save countless lives.

Benralizumab Overview
Benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody, works by targeting eosinophils—specific white blood cells responsible for lung inflammation. Currently used for severe asthma, the ABRA trial has demonstrated that a single dose of benralizumab, administered during exacerbations, is more effective than traditional steroid tablets.

Study Design and Findings
The study divided high-risk participants into three groups: one received benralizumab injections with placebo tablets, another received standard steroid care with placebo injections, and the third group received both treatments. In this double-blind trial, neither participants nor researchers knew the allocated treatments.

After 28 days, benralizumab showed superior results in alleviating symptoms like cough, wheezing, and breathlessness. By 90 days, treatment failure rates were four times lower in the benralizumab group compared to those using steroids. This approach also delayed treatment failure, reducing doctor visits or hospital admissions and improving patients' quality of life.

Expert Perspectives
Professor Mona Bafadhel from King’s College London hailed the findings as a potential "game-changer," emphasizing that asthma and COPD treatments haven't seen major advancements in decades despite causing millions of deaths annually. The ABRA trial demonstrates that targeted therapies for high-risk patients are more effective than generalized approaches.

The injection, while administered by healthcare professionals during the study, could eventually be self-administered at home or in clinical settings, providing greater accessibility. The safety profile of benralizumab was consistent with past studies.

Implications for Patients and Advocacy
Study participant Geoffrey Pointing highlighted the significant improvements he experienced with benralizumab, including better sleep and fewer side effects compared to steroids. Advocacy leaders, like Dr. Samantha Walker from Asthma + Lung UK, expressed optimism about this progress but called attention to the urgent need for more funding in lung health research.

Future Outlook
This pivotal study, made possible through collaboration between the NHS and universities, underscores the potential for innovation to address long-standing respiratory challenges. Researchers hope this breakthrough will transform asthma and COPD care, improving outcomes for over a billion affected individuals worldwide.

Reference
“Treating eosinophilic exacerbations of asthma and COPD with benralizumab (ABRA): a double-blind, double-dummy, active placebo-controlled randomized trial” by Sanjay Ramakrishnan et al., The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, November 2024.

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Source: Scitechdaily‍