Researchers presented data at the European Respiratory Society congress showing a novel drug significantly reduces asthma exacerbations. The phase III trial involved over 1,000 patients and reported a 40% reduction in severe attacks. Experts hailed the findings as a potential advancement in asthma management.
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, held in Barcelona from September 7-11, 2024, featured a major presentation on a new biologic therapy for severe asthma. The study, led by Dr. Maria Gonzalez from the University of Barcelona, evaluated the drug astrazumab in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The trial enrolled 1,248 adults with moderate-to-severe asthma uncontrolled by standard therapies. Participants received either 300 mg of astrazumab subcutaneously every four weeks or a placebo for 52 weeks. Results showed that the treatment group experienced 42% fewer severe exacerbations compared to placebo, with an annualized rate of 0.68 versus 1.17 events per patient-year.
'These results demonstrate a substantial improvement in asthma control, potentially reducing the burden on patients and healthcare systems,' Dr. Gonzalez said during her presentation. Secondary endpoints included a 25% improvement in lung function, measured by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and better quality-of-life scores on the Asthma Control Questionnaire.
Background on asthma highlights its impact: it affects over 260 million people worldwide, causing 455,000 deaths annually, according to World Health Organization data. Current biologics target specific pathways like IgE or IL-5, but astrazumab uniquely inhibits IL-13 and IL-4 signaling, addressing a broader inflammatory response.
Discussants at the congress noted the trial's strengths, including diverse patient demographics across Europe and North America, but called for long-term safety data. No serious adverse events were linked to the drug beyond mild injection-site reactions in 12% of participants.
The findings build on phase II data from 2023, which suggested efficacy in eosinophilic asthma subtypes. If approved, astrazumab could join existing therapies like dupilumab, offering another option for the 5-10% of asthma patients with severe disease.