A Breath of Fresh Air: New Injection Could Be a Game-Changer for Asthma and COPD
2 min readFor the first time in over 50 years, there‘s a breakthrough treatment for asthma attacks and COPD that‘s got doctors and patients buzzing with excitement. Say goodbye to the old-school steroid tablets and hello to a life-changing injection that might just revolutionize lung care for millions.
What‘s the Buzz About?
Researchers at King‘s College London have found that a drug already in existence, Benralizumab, can dramatically cut asthma and COPD flare-ups when administered during an attack. And the best part? It‘s already on the market!
In the recent trial, patients who received the injection required 30% less follow-up treatment compared to those stuck with traditional steroids. The findings? “Game-changing,” according to lead investigator Professor Mona Bafadhel.
Why Is This Such a Big Deal?
These flare-ups of asthma or COPD-most distressing, like trying to breathe through a straw–are commonly caused by eosinophils, a particularly pesky kind of white blood cell that inflames the lungs. The attacks are terrifying and can be deadly: dozens of people in the UK die every day.
Until now, steroids like prednisolone have been the go-to solution. Sure, they help–but they come with a laundry list of side effects, from insomnia to osteoporosis. Plus, they often fail to prevent hospital visits within 90 days of treatment.
Enter Benralizumab: The New Kid on the Block
Originally designed for severe asthma, Benralizumab is a monoclonal antibody that directly targets eosinophils. Patients who received a single injection at the onset of an attack saw four times fewer treatment failures in the trial than those relying on steroids.
Even better? The injection improved symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath—and patients reported feeling better faster.
One Patient‘s Story: Breathing Easier
For 77-year-old Geoffrey Pointing, who participated in the study, the injection was life-changing.
“I used to dread taking steroids because they wrecked my sleep. But with the injection, I slept soundly and carried on with my life without any problems. Honestly, when you‘re having a flare-up, you can barely breathe. This injection gave me my life back.”
Hope for the Future
Dr. Samantha Walker from Asthma + Lung UK said this was “great news“ for millions living with lung conditions. Every four minutes, someone in the UK dies from a lung-related illness, yet treatments have barely changed in half a century.
Professor Bafadhel and her team believe one day, this injection could be taken at home and become a lifeline for more than a billion people worldwide with asthma and COPD.
“We’re bringing 21st-century solutions to a condition stuck in the past,” said Dr. Sanjay Ramakrishnan, co-author of the study.
With fewer hospital visits, improved quality of life, and reduced side effects, this treatment isn’t just a medical breakthrough—it’s a breath of fresh air for patients and their families.
The future of asthma and COPD care has arrived, and it’s looking brighter—and healthier—than ever.