A new way to treat asthma and COPD flare-ups could be a "game-changer," researchers say. A new study, published in The Lancet today, has investigated the use of high-tech biologic therapy Benralizumab (Fasenra) in treating acute asthma exacerbations. Benralizumab (Fasenra) works by targeting white blood cells that cause inflammation. Already used in regular low doses to treat severe asthma, researchers have now tested its efficacy in tackling asthma attacks using a single high-dose injection. Early studies suggest this new use of the drug cuts the need for further treatment by 30%.
The study represents a major breakthrough after 50 years without significant treatment advances. Currently the standard treatment for asthma exacerbations are steroid tablets, which the Asthma Society’s recent campaign highlighted, are associated with a heightened risk of mood disorders, diabetes, glaucoma and osteoporosis, among other possible side effects. While larger trials are still needed, this therapy offers hope for more effective, safer treatments for millions of patients worldwide.
"This landmark study gives us renewed hope that as asthma and COPD specialists, we may very soon to able to offer a large subgroup of asthma patients a new alternative to traditional steroid tablets in the treatment of serious and life-threatening forms of asthma attacks who have easy-to-detect evidence of eosinophilic flare-ups of their disease. A simple blood test in the emergency department could see if this drug is the best option for them. Larger confirmatory studies and careful cost-benefit analyses are awaited but there is real hope that this is a game-changer for how we treat eosinophil asthma and eosinophilic COPD flare-ups." Dr Marcus Butler, Medical Director, Asthma Society of Ireland
This announcement comes in the same week as the release of our new report, Towards Optimal Severe Asthma Care. The report follows an in-depth investigation into severe asthma care in Ireland and highlights the devastating impact the disease can have on people’s lives. One of the key recommendations in the report is an increase in the allocated funding for biologic treatments, of which Benralizumab is one.
