Oxford scientists in asthma treatment breakthrough

The injection is more effective than the current method of steroid tablets - reducing the need for further treatment by 30 per cent, according to a new study.

Researchers say their findings, published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, could be “game-changing” for millions of people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

This research is based on a recent novel finding that asthma and COPD attacks are triggered by different immune system components, varying between patients.

The team found an injection of Benralizumab can calm the overactive part of the immune system which is responsible.

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The clinical trial, led by scientists from King’s College London and sponsored by the University of Oxford, with support from drug firm AstraZeneca UK, was conducted at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

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Geoffrey Pointing, 77, from Banbury, was one of the study participants.

He said: “Honestly, when you're having a flare up, it's very difficult to tell anybody how you feel - you can hardly breathe.

"Anything that takes that away and gives you back a normal life is what you want.

"But on the injections, it's fantastic. I didn't get any side effects like I used to with the steroid tablets.

"I used to never sleep well the first night of taking steroids, but the first day on the study, I could sleep that first night, and I was able to carry on with my life without problems."

Lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel, now at the King's Centre for Lung Health and formerly a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Medicine, said: “This could be a game-changer for people with asthma and COPD.

"Treatment for asthma and COPD exacerbations have not changed in 50 years despite causing 3.8 million deaths worldwide a year combined.

“Benralizumab is a safe and effective drug already used to manage severe asthma.

"We’ve used the drug in a different way – at the point of an exacerbation - to show that it’s more effective than steroid tablets which is the only treatment currently available.

"The big advance is the finding that targeted therapy works in asthma and COPD attacks.”

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The researchers say the jab can be potentially administered safely at home, in the GP practice, or in hospital.

Study first author Dr Sanjay Ramakrishnan, now of the University of Western Australia but who started the work while at Oxford University, said: "COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, but treatment for the condition is stuck in the 20th century.

"We need to provide these patients with life-saving options before their time runs out.

“The ABRA trial was only possible with collaboration between the NHS and universities and shows how this close relationship can innovate healthcare and improve people’s lives.”