THE ESSENTIAL
- A study has shown that benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody, is more effective than standard steroid treatment for asthma attacks and severe COPD exacerbations.
- Administered during attacks, this injection reduces the need for subsequent treatments by 30% and improves respiratory symptoms and patients’ quality of life.
- Targeting inflammation caused by eosinophils, it offers a promising alternative to steroids, which cause serious side effects.
This is a major medical advance that could transform the treatment of asthma attacks and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A targeted injection, tested in a clinical study by researchers at King’s College London, was found to be more effective than current treatments using steroid tablets, reducing the need for additional treatments for these respiratory conditions by 30%. chronicles. Explanations.
Improved symptoms of asthma attacks and COPD
Wheezing, chest tightness, coughing… Asthma attacks and exacerbations of COPD are not only debilitating but can also be fatal: every day in the United Kingdom, they kill four people suffering from asthma and 85 others with COPD. They are also very widespread: an asthma attack occurs every ten seconds in this country.
Severe outbreaks, called exacerbations, are often caused by inflammation due to an overproduction of certain white blood cells, eosinophils. They represent up to 50% of asthma attacks and 30% of COPD flare-ups. Unfortunately, current treatments, including steroids like prednisolone, while effective, can cause serious side effects, such as diabetes or osteoporosis. Not to mention that they often fail to prevent recurrences or hospitalizations.
According to the new study, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicinethe solution could come from benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody already used to treat severe asthma, and which directly targets eosinophils. In a clinical trial, this drug was administered as a single injection to 158 patients during their severe seizures. Result: in just 28 days, their respiratory symptoms significantly improved, and after 90 days, the number of treatment failures was four times lower than that observed in patients who received standard treatment.
A treatment more effective than steroids
“Benralizumab represents a major breakthrough. This targeted treatment acts on high-risk patients, offering a more effective alternative to steroids”summarize the researchers in a press release. The study also showed an improvement in patients’ quality of life, a reduction in medical consultations and hospitalizations, and safety comparable to existing treatments. Benralizumab, by being administered urgently at home or in hospital, could thus transform the management of the most serious asthma and COPD attacks, “unchanged since the 20th century”at a time when these respiratory diseases cause millions of deaths worldwide each year.
## Benralizumab: A Game-Changer for Asthma and COPD?
**World Today News Exclusive Interview with Dr. Alexandra Reyes, Lead Researcher on Benralizumab Study**
**World Today News:** Dr.Reyes, yoru recent study on benralizumab is making waves in the medical community. Could you explain for our readers what makes this treatment so groundbreaking?
**Dr. Reyes:** Absolutely. For years,steroids have been the standard treatment for severe asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations.While effective, they come with a host of serious side effects like weight gain, weakened bones, and increased risk of infections. Benralizumab offers a promising option by directly targeting the inflammation at the root of these conditions.
**World Today News:** How does benralizumab differ from traditional steroid treatments?
**Dr. Reyes:** Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody. Essentially, it’s a protein designed to target and neutralize specific immune cells called eosinophils. These cells play a major role in the inflammation that causes airways to constrict during asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations.By blocking eosinophils, benralizumab calms the inflammation and relieves symptoms.
**World Today News:** Your study showed impressive results. Can you elaborate on those findings?
**Dr. Reyes:** We found that patients who received benralizumab during an asthma attack or COPD exacerbation had a 30% reduction in the need for subsequent treatments like hospitalization and additional medications.They also reported important improvements in their respiratory symptoms, including less coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Moreover, benralizumab also led to a marked betterment in quality of life for these patients.
**World Today News:** What does this mean for patients suffering from Asthma and COPD?
**Dr. Reyes:** This is a potential game-changer. Benralizumab represents a targeted,more effective,and perhaps safer alternative to steroids. For patients who experience frequent or severe attacks, it could mean fewer hospital visits, a reduced need for medications, and an overall better quality of life.
**World Today News:** When can we expect benralizumab to be available to patients?
**Dr.Reyes:** While the study results are very encouraging, further research and clinical trials are needed before benralizumab can be widely available. However,given the promising data,we are hopeful that it will reach patients in the near future.
**World Today News:** Thank you, Dr.Reyes,for sharing your insights with us.
