Promising future therapies for asthma.

Abstract

Asthma affects 300 million people worldwide and that number has been increasing especially in developed countries. The current standard of care for asthma treatment is based on 2 key pathological features of asthma, airway inflammation and airway obstruction. Improving bronchodilation can be accomplished with ultra-long acting beta2 agonists or long-acting muscarinic agonists used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids. These combinations have already been used effectively for the treatment of COPD. An inhaled phosphodiesterase inhibitor has been shown to improve bronchodilation and decrease airway inflammation. Directly altering the airway smooth muscle with bronchial thermoplasty in select patients has demonstrated long-term benefits but must be measured with immediate post procedure complications. The development of monoclonal antibodies to directly target specific cytokines has had mixed results. In eosinophilic asthma blocking IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 have improved asthma outcomes. The promise of more directed therapy for asthma appears closer than ever with increased options available for the clinician in the near future.

• Authors: Jeffrey R Stokes
• Journal: International immunopharmacology (Int Immunopharmacol) Vol. 23 Issue 1 Pg. 373-7 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1878-1705 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 24957689 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones
• Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Bronchodilator Agents
• Cytokines
• Muscarinic Agonists

Topics

• Adrenal Cortex Hormones (therapeutic use)
• Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Airway Obstruction (etiology, prevention & control)
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Asthma (complications, drug therapy)
• Bronchodilator Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cytokines (immunology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Eosinophils (drug effects, immunology)
• Humans
• Hyperthermia, Induced
• Muscarinic Agonists (therapeutic use)
• Muscle, Smooth (immunology, surgery)
• Standard of Care