Asthma affects roughly one in twelve people around the world – or approximately 25 million people – according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But even with such high numbers of individuals affected, there is still relatively little known about what triggers attacks and the best practices of prevention or reduction of risk.
For that reason, many scientists have been working to learn more about the disease as a whole, and the types of medications that may positively impact those who are affected. Currently, Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are conducting a 2b study of the affect of dupilumab on the treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in adults.
According to the interim analysis of the results yielded from the study, Dupilumab – a monoclonal antibody – was found to improve lung function, and reduce the exacerbations caused by asthma attacks.
The study is based on 776 adults who have moderate-to-severe asthma. These individuals were treated with one of four doses of the antibody or the placebo. The interim report indicates that the three highest doses of dupilumab have already met the primary endpoint.
"Many have thought that targeting the Th2 pathway in asthma would limit benefit to a subset of asthmatics, such as those with high eosinophils," Elias Zerhouni, president of Global R&D for Sanofi, said in the press release. "In this study, blocking IL-4/IL-13 signaling with dupilumab improved lung function and reduced severe exacerbations in the broader study population. Based on these results, we plan to move dupilumab into phase 3 clinical development."
This is good news for asthmatics, as it indicates that some relief could be on the horizon. Until then, utilizing asthma and allergy control products from Allergy Be Gone is the best option. Visit us online to learn more.
