NEW YORK, Mar 15 (Reuters Health) -- A substance called alpha1-antitrypsin
can slow lung deterioration and prolong survival in patients with severe
emphysema, researchers conclude.
Alpha1-antitrypsin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for
treating patients with a type of emphysema that is caused by a genetic
deficiency rather than smoking, but no study has shown it to improve the decline
in lung function seen with the disease, until now.
Not only does alpha1-antitrypsin appear to be safe, reduce mortality and
slow the decline in lung function in patients with this genetically-based
emphysema, the substance is also cost effective, the authors of a new study
report in the March issue of Chest.
People with this genetic mutation have a deficiency of a necessary protein
in the lung, alpha1-antitrypsin, which ultimately results in emphysema. These
patients require alpha1-antitrypsin replacement therapy to refurbish their
supply of the substance and thus avoid some of the associated decline in lung
function that is seen in emphysema. Although the condition results from a
genetic predisposition, smoking can exacerbate the onset of the disease.
Drs. Stephan Alkins and Patrick O'Malley, of the Walter Reed Army Medical
Center in Washington, DC, reviewed studies in the literature that involved
alpha1-antitrypsin replacement therapy for individuals with this type of severe
emphysema. Based on this review, the researchers report that "alpha1-antitrypsin
replacement is safe and appears to retard the accelerated decline of (lung
function) and overall mortality rate."
In addition, the investigators conclude that "alpha1-antitrypsin replacement
therapy is cost-effective" in individuals who have this form of emphysema.
Alkins and O'Malley note that "compared to other commonly accepted practices and
therapies, alpha1-antitrypsin replacement therapy is equivalent to or less
expensive than many," including mammography screening for breast cancer in
women.
