A monthly injection for managing severe asthma could help patients safely reduce or even discontinue daily steroid medications, according to a new phase 3b clinical trial published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.
Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are powerful medications that help control airway inflammation and asthma symptoms. In the most severe asthma patients, OCS are needed daily. However, long-term use can lead to serious health problems, including osteoporosis, diabetes, and increased vulnerability to infections.
The WAYFINDER study explored the steroid-sparing potential of the biologic treatment Tezepelumab, administered as a subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks. After one year of treatment, nearly 90% of patients were able to reduce their steroid dose to a low dose. More than half of the participants were able to completely stop steroids without experiencing a loss of asthma control. Importantly, these positive effects were observed across various patient groups, indicating that this treatment could benefit a broad range of patients with severe or difficult-to-manage asthma.
In addition to reducing steroid dependence, the treatment significantly improved asthma symptoms, lung function, and overall quality of life. Most patients had fewer asthma-related emergency visits and hospitalisations. These improvements were seen as early as two weeks into treatment and lasted for the duration of the study.
The authors say that by helping control symptoms while minimising steroid use, this approach offers a promising path toward long-term disease remission and improved health outcomes and quality of life for patients with severe asthma.
Journal
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Method of Research
Randomized controlled/clinical trial
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Oral corticosteroid reduction and discontinuation in adults with corticosteroid-dependent, severe, uncontrolled asthma treated with tezepelumab (WAYFINDER): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 3b trial
Article Publication Date
26-Nov-2025
COI Statement
DJJ has attended advisory boards and received speaker fees from AstraZeneca, GSK, and Sanofi, and has received research grant and travel support from AstraZeneca and GSK. NLL has received consultancy fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Apogee, AstraZeneca, Avillion, Foresee, Genentech, GSK, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; participated in advisory boards for Amgen, AstraZeneca, Genentech, GSK, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; has received fees for non-speaker bureau presentations from AstraZeneca and GSK; has received speaker fees (own content) from NIOX; has received travel support from AstraZeneca, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; and her institution has received research support from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Avillion, Bellus, Genentech, Gossamer Bio, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. MG has attended advisory board meetings for Alexion and AstraZeneca and has received speaker fees from AstraZeneca, GSK, HRA Pharma, Novartis, and Recordati. LGH has participated in advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Celltrion, and GSK; has received personal fees for lectures supported by AstraZeneca, Circassia, GSK, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; has received sponsorship for attending international scientific meetings for AstraZeneca, GSK, and Sanofi; has received grants from AstraZeneca and GSK; and has taken part in asthma clinical trials sponsored by AstraZeneca, GSK, and Roche and Genentech, for which his institution has been remunerated. SK has received fees for lectures or advisory board meetings from AstraZeneca, GSK, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi Aventis, and Teva Pharmaceuticals. GB has received fees for advisory boards or speaker fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GSK, MSD, Novartis, and Sanofi Regeneron. PC has provided consultancy services for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, MSD, Novartis, Sanofi, SNCF, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; has served on advisory boards for Almirall, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, Novartis, Sanofi, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; has received lecture fees from ALK-Abelló, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Centocor, Chiesi, GSK, Novartis, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; has received industry-sponsored grants from AstraZeneca, ALK-Abelló, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Centocor, Chiesi, GSK, Novartis, Roche, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; and is the president of the scientific committee Fondation du Souffle 2021–2025. RdO has received research, advisory board, and speaker fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Gador, GSK, Mundipharma, Novartis, and Sanofi Genzyme, and travel support from AstraZeneca, GSK, and Sanofi Genzyme. J-PL is an employee of Amgen and owns stock in Amgen. NK, KS, BC, ADP, RF, NM, and SNC are employees of AstraZeneca and own stock or stock options in AstraZeneca. KK has received fees for lectures or consultancy from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, ELPEN, GSK, Menarini, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Specialty Therapeutics.