Doctors hail first breakthrough in asthma and COPD treatment in 50 years

[usonian]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/27/doctors-hail-first-breakthrough-in-asthma-and-copd-treatment-in-50-years

Doctors are hailing a new way to treat serious asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attacks that marks the first breakthrough for 50 years and could be a “gamechanger” for patients.

A trial found offering patients an injection was more effective than the current care of steroid tablets, and cuts the need for further treatment by 30%.

The results, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, could be transformative for millions of people with asthma and COPD around the world.

Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets specific white blood cells, called eosinophils, to reduce lung inflammation. It is used as a repeat treatment for severe asthma at a low dose, but the trial found a higher single dose could be very effective if injected at the time of a flare-up.

Still, it requires injection.
More at The Guardian.

On edit: thanks for the updates in the replies. I only know what's in the linked article.