- British scientists reveal the results of a trial into new drug fevipiprant
- Twice-daily tablet shown to improve lung function significantly
- Pill could become available on the NHS within three years
Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail
80
View
comments
A ‘game-changing’ pill for asthma could replace inhalers for millions of sufferers, experts claim.
British scientists last night revealed the results of a trial into fevipiprant, a breakthrough drug that cuts lung inflammation by up to 80 per cent.
The twice-daily tablet, the first to be developed for 20 years, was shown to improve lung function significantly, ease symptoms and repair the lining of damaged airways.
A ‘game-changing’ new pill for asthma could replace inhalers for millions of sufferers, experts claim (file photo)
I FELT WELL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 TEARS
Gaye Stokes enjoyed a 12-week break during the clinical trials for fevipiprant from the severe asthma she has had for 16 years
Gaye Stokes enjoyed a 12-week break during the clinical trials for fevipiprant from the severe asthma she has had for 16 years.
The 54-year-old normally wheezes, has infections that put her in hospital for days, and can only play for short spells with her three grandchildren.
But all that changed for Mrs Stokes when she was put on the trial. The cafe manager, who lives with her husband David, 53, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, said: ‘I felt like a completely different person.
‘I had more get up and go, I was less wheezy and for the first time in years I felt really, really well.
‘For me, it felt like a complete wonder drug, and I can’t wait for it to be available because I really think it could make a huge difference to me.’
After the trial, she stopped receiving the drug. ‘My health started to go downhill again very quickly,’ she said.
‘I am really glad I had the opportunity to take part in this trial. If it comes on the market it could help many people.’
Fevipiprant has even been identified as a promising treatment by the research arm of the NHS, which part-funded the trial on 61 asthma patients.
Further studies are under way, and if those go well scientists think it could be available on the NHS within three years.
-
Sleeping pills taken by millions of Brits to help them nod…
Pensioner whose leg ballooned to 3 STONE dies of an…
Why DON’T more children get the chickenpox vaccine? Expert…
How the blameless sick are paying the price of this HIV…
Most existing drugs only ease the symptoms of asthma – with certain drugs widening the airways and others using steroids to calm inflammation. Fevipiprant, however, is the first to use a ‘twin attack’ – it blocks inflammatory cells floating in the airway while also treating the airway lining, stopping it from becoming inflamed and repairing any damage.
Researchers tested it on severely ill patients in conjunction with their existing steroids and inhalers, treating them for 12 weeks.
Those tests, published in the Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal last night, showed remarkable results – with inflammation dropping by four-fifths to residual levels usually seen among completely healthy people.
The results offer real hope for the 5.4million people in the UK who have the condition. Three die every day because of asthma attacks – two of which are preventable.
The last tablet for asthma, called montelukast, reduced inflammation but did not prevent severe asthma attacks.
Most existing drugs only ease the symptoms of asthma – with certain drugs widening the airways and others using steroids to calm inflammation
Doctors are desperate to find an effective asthma pill because inhalers are commonly misused, limiting their effectiveness. Up to 68 per cent of patients don’t get the correct dose of medication from their inhalers because they fail to use them properly.
Fevipiprant research leader Professor Chris Brightling, of the University of Leicester, said: ‘This drug could be a game-changer for future treatment of asthma.
‘A unique feature of this study was how it included measurements of symptoms, lung function using breathing tests, sampling of the airway wall and scans of the chest to give a complete picture of how the drug works.
‘Most treatments might improve some of these features, but with fevipiprant improvements were seen with all of the tests.
‘Fevipiprant could help to stop preventable asthma attacks, reduce hospital admissions and improve day-to-day symptoms.’
The drug, which was developed by the pharmaceutical firm Novartis, is already undergoing a larger trial of 846 patients, also led by the Leicester team. That trial also focuses on those most at need, with patients retaining their inhalers. The team hopes to see the number of asthma attacks halved in the 12-month study.
But eventually the researchers want to focus on a group of patients with less severe asthma to see if inhalers could be replaced. Professor Brightling said: ‘It could well be that it could be tested to see if it could replace inhalers.’
Dr Samantha Walker, of the charity Asthma UK, said: ‘This research shows massive promise. The possibility of taking a pill instead of using an inhaler will be a very welcome one.
‘More research is needed, but it’s an exciting development and one which, in the long term, could offer a real alternative to current treatments.’
Dr Matthew Hallsworth, of the NHS National Institute for Health Research, said: ‘It has the potential to improve the quality of lives for millions of people with asthma and could ultimately save lives.’
Share or comment on this article
Most watched News videos
-
Moment gymnast Samir Ait Said is DROPPED by paramedics in Rio -
Kim Kardashian posts adorable video of son Saint giggling -
Hilarious moment hungry tortoise’s run for their dinner -
Watch this video of a David vs Dog-liath in epic tug of war -
Terrifying moment bulldog attacks several pedestrians in China -
Is Becky Adlington stroking Mark Foster’s leg under table? -
Karina Vetrano’s mother sends message to her daughter’s killer -
Seth Rogen lip-syncs and shows off dance moves to Hotline Bling -
Said wears leg cast in French flag colour after brutal break -
Incredible moment Nishikori drops the racket and still wins -
Woman KICKS man violently on train after alleged racial slur -
Child killed in Kansas City water park accident
-
‘You could hear the snap echoing around the arena’: The…
-
‘Murder-suicide note’ found at bloody scene where a young…
-
The bone-crunching moment a Dutch female cyclist crashes and…
-
Horrifying moment ambulance crew DROP Olympic gymnast after…
-
‘It has saved me from a lot of pain’: Team USA go crazy for…
-
Son of state senator, 10, dies in accident on the world’s…
-
Furious mother ‘squirted her boob’ at a woman who told her…
-
Off to a flying start! Simone Biles leads ‘Fierce Five’ Team…
-
Husband of Ohio woman left with horror injuries after a rock…
-
Golden touch! Michael Phelps earns his NINETEENTH gold…
-
See you in Tokyo 2020! French gymnast who horrifically broke…
-
Is Charles locked in a Battle Royal with Carole over George?…
Comments (80)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now