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.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. retail price? " $5,197 for a supply of 1 milliliter(s), depending on the pharmacy you visit."

[usonian]

2. That wasn't in the article. Thanks for the update. NT

[pandr32]

3. There already is another.

I get Nucala (mepolizumab) injections that target eosinophils and have been getting this treatment for the last 5 years.
We need to lower the costs.

[Silent Type]

4. Apparently that level of severity is relatively rare. At the price above indicates it's expensive. But it

also sounds like it could avoid cost of hospitalizations, etc.

[summer_in_TX]

5. I get Benralizumab shots every two months.

I had to get pre-approved. With Medicare and BCBS FEP, I don't have to pay anything. But when the Explanation of Benefits comes from BCBS, they show charges in excess of $17K – each time.

It's obscene.

On the other hand, I haven't had bronchitis in three years. I used to have it 3X a year with major seasonal allergy triggers. I did have a really bad bout of asthma even with the regular injections last winter, during cedar season (really ash juniper, but that's what we all call it in Texas). Had to have steroids, etc.

I go to an infusion center for my shots because they are equipped to handle it if I had an allergic reaction. I've never had one and have been told I could have my family doctor's office do it, or do it at home since I've done so well with it. My family doctor says they aren't equipped to handle a major reaction so doesn't advise doing it there.

And I don't want to do it at home. My husband is offended at the price shown on our EOBs, so grouses every time one comes in the mail. I don't want to hear that every time I need to have an injection. I'm offended by the price too (even though I figured the manufacturer might be inflating the price because we have good insurance). On the other hand, it helps me a lot. Far less frequent asthma to deal with than before and fewer rounds of bronchitis too.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. I have COPD

I will ask my doctor about this treatment

[LetMyPeopleVote]

7. This is interesting

Link to tweet