New vaccine for asthma

Asthma sufferers may no longer fear attacks

Three million British asthma sufferers could have their lives transformed by the development of the first ever vaccine for the condition, scientists said today.

Researchers at London's Imperial College (ICL) believe they are on the brink of developing a course of injections which will protect half of all sufferers from the frightening - and sometimes fatal - attacks for up to four years.

Asthma kills 1,500 people a year in the UK and costs the NHS almost £1billion.

The vaccine, which could be available within five years, is a result of research by ICL senior lecturer Dr Douglas Robinson who will announce his findings today at a meeting of the Royal Society of Medicine.

He is so confident of his team's research that he helped to set up a company to bring the vaccine to the market.

He said: "In terms of controlling symptoms and preventing extreme allergic reactions it seems to be extremely effective. It may well be useful for a substantial number of allergic asthmatics."

Asthma attacks are caused by muscles contracting the airways that carry air in and out of the body. At the same time, the airways' lining becomes inflamed and lung tissue is flooded by fluid.

More than half of asthma attacks are triggered by allergies.

The vaccine is based on a technique called immunotherapy where patients are given tiny amounts of the substance to which they are allergic.

This stimulates a minor reaction of the body's defences, and with repeated injections, reduces the effect the allergy has on the sufferer. The scientists believe the treatment could also be used to help hay fever sufferers

It is a technique already used to treat potentially lethal allergies some people have to bee and wasp stings.

One asthma sufferer described the development as "fantastic news". Fitness fanatic David Marsden, 37, said. "It will give you peace of mind knowing you can go out and not panic about how much medication you have with you."

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