Severe Asthma Controlled with Biologic Therapy: Significant Reduction in Steroid Use (53 characters)

A landmark study has discovered groundbreaking progress in treating severe asthma without the need for high-dose inhaled steroids. The research, known as the SHAMAL study, found that biologic therapies such as benralizumab can effectively control severe asthma and allow patients to reduce or eliminate their use of inhaled steroids. This is a significant development as inhaled steroids often come with significant side effects, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and cataracts. Asthma affects millions of people worldwide, with a small percentage experiencing severe symptoms. The SHAMAL study, led by Professor David Jackson, demonstrated promising results, with 92% of patients using benralizumab successfully reducing their use of inhaled steroids and more than 60% discontinuing them entirely. The study’s findings offer hope for improving the quality of life for severe asthma patients and minimizing the potential harm caused by high-dose steroids. While further research is needed, this study paves the way for exploring similar approaches using biologic therapies to reduce or eliminate other high-dose steroid treatments. The SHAMAL study was conducted across four countries and involved 208 patients. It was funded by AstaZeneca and carried out by researchers from renowned universities. This breakthrough brings us one step closer to revolutionizing severe asthma care and providing safer and more effective treatments for patients worldwide.