A landmark study showed that severe asthma can be controlled using biological therapies, without the addition of the usual high-dose inhaled steroidswhich can have significant side effects.
Findings from the multinational study SHAMALpublished in The Lancet, demonstrated that 92% of patients using biological therapy benralizumab (n.ed: monoclonal antibody, sold under the name of Fasenra) could safely reduce the dose of inhaled steroids and more than 60% of patients could stop all use.
The results of the study could be revolutionary for patients with severe asthma by reducing or eliminating the unpleasant and often serious side effects of inhaled steroids. These include osteoporosis, which leads to an increased risk of fractures, diabetes and cataracts.
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases worldwide – affecting almost 300 million people – and about 3 to 5% of them have severe asthma. This condition results in shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, along with repeated asthma attacks that require frequent hospitalization.
The SHAMAL study was led by Professor David Jackson, Head of the Severe Asthma Center at Guy’s and St Thomas and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at King’s College London. Professor Jackson said: “Biologic therapies such as benralizumab have revolutionized the care of severe asthma in many ways, and the results of this study show for the first time that steroid-related harm can be avoided for the majority of patients using this therapy.”
Benralizumab is a biologic therapy that reduces the number of inflammatory cells called eosinophils. They are produced in abnormal numbers in the airways of patients with severe asthma and are critically involved in the development of asthma attacks. Benralizumab is injected every four to eight weeks and is available in NHS specialist asthma centres.
The SHAMAL study took place in 22 sites in four countries – UK, France, Italy and Germany in a sample of 208 patients. About 90% of them they had no worsening of asthma symptoms and remained free of exacerbations during the 48-week study. Studies similar to SHAMAL will be needed before firm recommendations can be made regarding the safety and efficacy of reducing or eliminating the use of high-dose steroids with other biologic therapies.
The study was funded by AstaZeneca and carried out by researchers from renowned universities including Queens University Belfast, Université Paris-Saclay and Trinity College Dublin.
Source: sciencedaily
2024-01-02 15:58:50
#Revolutionary #discovery #fight #severe #asthma #STUDY
