A new set of clinical trials published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine suggests that a triple-combination inhaler developed by AstraZeneca could help people whose asthma remains difficult to control with standard treatments.
The medicine, called Breztri Aerosphere, combines three different types of asthma medications in a single inhaler. Researchers say this approach may improve lung function and reduce the risk of severe asthma attacks in some patients.
Why this matters
Asthma affects about 262 million people worldwide. While many patients manage their symptoms with common treatments, a significant number continue to experience:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- persistent coughing
- sudden and severe asthma attacks
These patients are often treated with two types of inhaled medicines, typically a combination of:
- ICS (inhaled corticosteroids) – which reduce inflammation in the airways
- LABA (long-acting beta agonists) – which help relax airway muscles and make breathing easier
However, for some patients, this two-drug approach isn’t enough to fully control symptoms.
What the new trials tested
Two large Phase III clinical trials, called KALOS and LOGOS, tested whether adding a third medicine to the inhaler could improve outcomes.
In total, the studies involved around 4,300 patients with uncontrolled asthma. Researchers compared the triple therapy inhaler with standard two-drug inhalers such as Symbicort.
The triple therapy includes three components:
- budesonide – reduces inflammation in the airways
- formoterol – helps open the airways quickly and for a long time
- glycopyrronium – relaxes airway muscles through a different mechanism
By combining all three medicines into one inhaler, the treatment targets multiple biological pathways involved in asthma.
What the researchers found
The results showed that patients using the triple inhaler experienced better lung function compared with those receiving standard dual therapy.
Patients treated with the triple combination also had fewer severe asthma exacerbations—episodes where symptoms suddenly worsen and may require emergency treatment or hospitalization.
Importantly, researchers did not identify any new safety concerns during the trials.
What happens next
Breztri is already approved in many countries for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Regulators are now reviewing whether the therapy can also be approved for patients with uncontrolled asthma.
If approved, the treatment could offer a new option for people whose asthma remains difficult to manage with existing inhalers.
Researchers say the findings are important because many patients still struggle with asthma symptoms despite using standard therapies, highlighting the need for more effective treatment approaches.
