Benralizumab for asthma/COPD treatment
Data shows that 40% of patients treated for acute asthma exacerbation are readmitted. 15% show severe severe symptoms, while 10% from 15% end up in fatality. A Study like this indicates that a more efficient therapy is needed to prevent cases of readmission.
Acute exacerbation treated with BenRAlizumab (ABRA) trial was a phase 2, clinical trial. This was done to determine the efficacy of Benralizumab on acute asthma exacerbation. The approach was a double-blind, active placebo-controlled randomized experiment.
In order to optimize the result of the experiment, Eosinophils of patients were measured. Patients with eosinophil level ≥300 ul were suitable for the experiment. There were greater proportions of eosinophilia in asthma (50%) than in COPD (30%).
Patients were recruited from 2 large hospital sites within the U.K. During acute exacerbation of asthma and COPD, patients underwent treatment. They received either or both drugs in different components: placebo/prednisolone/benralizumab. 30mg of prednisolone, and 100mg subcutaneous benralizumab were the standard given doses.
Patients treated with benralizumab alone or with prednisolone, showed improved symptoms at 28 days. Reduced chance of treatment failure was also discovered at 90days. There were no reported side effects of benralizumab.
This result confirms benralizumab alone or with prednisolone to be more superior in treating acute exacerbation of asthma or COPD. Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that decreases eosinophil levels in the body. It does this by targeting IL-5 receptor on the surface of eosinophils.
Reference:
Sanjay Ramakhrishnan; Richard E K Russell et al. Treating eosinophilic exacerbations of asthma and COPD with benralizumab (ABRA): a double-blind, double-dummy, active placebo-controlled randomized trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine; 27/11/204.