A pioneering investigation spearheaded by a King's academic has unveiled that biologic therapies effectively manage severe asthma without the necessity for regular high-dose inhaled steroids, known for their adverse effects.
In the multinational SHAMAL study, featured in The Lancet, it was revealed that 92% of patients utilising the biologic therapy benralizumab could safely reduce their inhaled steroid dosage, with over 60% ceasing usage entirely.
Treatment For Severe Asthma
This breakthrough offers potential relief for severe asthma sufferers, mitigating or eliminating the unpleasant and often serious side effects associated with inhaled steroids, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and cataracts.
Affecting nearly 300 million people globally, asthma poses a significant health challenge, with 3 to 5% experiencing severe symptoms leading to daily breathlessness, chest tightness, and frequent hospitalizations due to asthma attacks.
Led by Professor David Jackson, the SHAMAL study demonstrates that biologic therapies, like benralizumab, can transform severe asthma care by averting steroid-related harm for the majority of patients.
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Benralizumab For Severe Asthma
Benralizumab, administered every four to eight weeks, reduces inflammatory eosinophil cells, pivotal in severe asthma development, offering an innovative approach available in specialized NHS asthma centres.
Conducted across 22 sites in the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, the 48-week SHAMAL study involved 208 patients, randomly assigned to taper their high-dose inhaled steroid. Approximately 90% experienced no worsening of symptoms, remaining exacerbation-free.
While these results mark a significant stride, further studies akin to SHAMAL are imperative to establish recommendations for the safety and efficacy of reducing high-dose steroid use with other biological therapies. Funded by AstraZeneca, the study engaged researchers from esteemed institutions, including Queens University Belfast, Université Paris-Saclay, and Trinity College Dublin.
