Asthma drug 'almost eliminates seasonal attacks'
Thursday 17th March 2011
A new anti-asthma drug could bring relief to sufferers everywhere, according to scientists.
Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Xolair (omalizumab) improved asthma control, almost eliminated seasonal episodes and lessened the need for controller medication.
Asthmatic children who received the drug experienced 25 per cent fewer days with symptoms and a 30 per cent reduction in asthma attacks.
Dr Rebecca Gruchalla, of the University of Texas Southwestern, said: "While these children typically are exposed to multiple allergens that are difficult if not impossible to control, their asthma improved dramatically when we added omalizumab to therapy."
This comes after researchers from the Universite de Montreal found that children who are treated for an asthma attack with a short burst of oral steroids could have a transient depression of immune response.
However, first author Francine M Ducharme pointed out that corticosteroids are still the most effective treatment for asthma exacerbations.
Written by Martin Lambert
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