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Targeting the mast cell in asthma.
1Molecular Pharmacology, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital (Floor M), Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK. p.t.peachell@shef.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Pharmacology
|May 24, 2005
Summary
Stabilizing pulmonary mast cells is key for effective asthma treatment. Current therapies inadequately control these cells, highlighting the need for new asthma treatments targeting mast cell activity.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary immunology
- Allergy and immunology
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary mast cells play a crucial role in mediating asthma.
- Current asthma treatments like bronchodilators and steroids have limitations in controlling mast cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting mast cell activity in asthma.
- To assess novel asthma therapies based on their mast cell-directed activities.
Main Methods:
- Review of prospective and potential asthma therapies.
- Analysis of mast cell-directed activities of various treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Existing frontline asthma therapies inadequately control pulmonary mast cell activity.
- Prospective therapies (anti-IgE, adenosine receptor antagonists, PDE inhibitors) and potential therapies (chemokine receptor antagonists, TLR antagonists) show variable mast cell activities.
Conclusions:
- Targeting pulmonary mast cells offers a promising therapeutic avenue for asthma.
- Asthma treatment strategies with more effective mast cell targeting are likely to yield greater clinical benefits.