An antibody known as Dupilumab has scored high marks as possible treatment for asthma, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh. For the study, the researchers enlisted 108 volunteers around the country to receive a weekly dose of the drug for 12 weeks.
They found that asthma incidents decreased by 86 percent for those taking the antibody as compared to those using a placebo. The drug targets the interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor specifically, easing symptoms for those suffering from Th-2 type asthma.
"This study targeted those individuals who, on the basis of eosinophil levels in their blood, seemed to have evidence for Th2-type asthma," principal investigator Sally explained. "By using this drug that blocks this pathway, we observed a really robust response compared with placebo in patients with moderate to severe asthma."
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