Benralizumab shows Promising in reducing COPD and asthma Exacerbations

A recent retrospective cohort study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology unveiled the positive impact of benralizumab on reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations in patients dealing with both asthma and COPD.

This study utilized data from a substantial US insurance claims database spanning from November 2016 to June 2020 and it focused on patients aged 12 years and above with at least two records of benralizumab. Each participant had a pre-existing diagnosis of asthma and COPD. The study aimed to evaluate the reduction in COPD exacerbations using a claims-based algorithm. The analysis considered patients with one or more COPD exacerbations in the year preceding benralizumab initiation.

Out of the 1,406 patients included in the study, 797 had experienced at least one COPD exacerbation, and 379 had endured at least two such events. The findings revealed a remarkable 51% reduction in COPD exacerbations post-benralizumab initiation compared to the year before (0.59 vs. 1.21 exacerbations per person-year, respectively; p<0.001). The positive trend continued with a 60% reduction for those with at least one prior COPD exacerbation (0.86 vs. 2.13 exacerbations per person-year; p<0.001) and a 62% reduction for those with at least two prior exacerbations (1.28 vs. 3.37 exacerbations per person-year; p<0.001).

The findings highlight the potential of benralizumab not only in reducing asthma exacerbations but it also provides a substantial and consistent reduction in COPD exacerbations for patients dealing with both conditions. As future studies delve deeper into these area, this could reshape the landscape of treatment for patients dealing with the complex interplay of asthma and COPD.

Source:

Carstens, D., Maselli, D., Yang, D., Cook, E., Mu, F., Chen, J., & Chung, Y. (2023). BENRALIZUMAB IS EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING COPD EXACERBATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA AND CONCOMITANT COPD. In Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (Vol. 131, Issue 5, pp. S43–S44). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2023.08.137