For the first time in half a century, researchers have found a cure for asthma attacks. This is reported by the BBC. Russian Service. Clinical trials of the drug "Benralizumab" have shown that it is more effective than regular steroid tablets in helping with life-threatening breathing problems in people with severe forms of the disease.
If a regular inhaler doesn't help, doctors now prescribe a course of steroids. For decades, steroids have reduced inflammation and swelling in the lungs of people with asthma. But they don't always help, so patients have to take repeated courses of medication, which can lead to rehospitalization and sometimes death. Regular use of steroids also increases the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis.
Researchers at King's College London have found that patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were given an injection of the drug benralizumab during an attack were less likely to suffer wheezing, breathlessness and other symptoms four weeks later.
The study, which involved 158 people, followed patients for three months after treatment for a flare-up. Results showed that treatment failure rates were 74% with steroids and 45% with the new therapy. People who received the new therapy were less likely to be hospitalized, need re-treatment, or die. The volunteers also reported improved symptoms and quality of life with the new drug.
Benralizumab is currently used in the most severe cases. However, recent studies show that it can be used regularly.
However, Benralizumab is not yet ready for widespread use; a large-scale study to establish its benefits will begin in 2025.
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Cover: Illustrative photo from cloudfront.net