Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Evaluation and management of severe asthma
Mina Gaga1, Eleftherios Zervas, Spiros Grivas
1Asthma Centre and 7th Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital, Athens, Greece. mgaga@med.uoa.gr
Current Medicinal Chemistry
|April 19, 2007
Summary
Severe asthma management remains challenging despite guideline therapies. New treatments like anti-IgE antibodies and anti-cytokines show promise for refractory asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Severe asthma significantly impacts patient health and healthcare costs.
- Current guideline-based treatments, including high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA), often fail in refractory cases.
- Uncertainties persist regarding optimal dosing, steroid-responsiveness, and safety of existing therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current guideline-based therapies for severe asthma.
- To explore emerging treatment strategies and novel therapeutic targets.
- To address uncertainties in the management of difficult-to-treat asthma.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on severe asthma management.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for novel therapies.
- Discussion of current challenges and future directions in severe asthma treatment.
Main Results:
- Standard treatments often yield unsatisfactory outcomes in severe asthma.
- Biologics such as anti-Immunoglobulin E (IgE) show clinical benefit.
- Anti-cytokine therapies (anti-IL-5, anti-TNFalpha) are under investigation with mixed results.
- Steroid-sparing agents have shown limited efficacy and notable side effects.
- Macrolide addition may be beneficial, potentially linked to chronic infection.
Conclusions:
- Steroids remain central to severe asthma management, but novel approaches are crucial.
- Targeted therapies like anti-IgE and anti-cytokines represent promising avenues.
- Further research is needed to optimize treatment and address management uncertainties in severe asthma.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:30Asthma-IV: Nursing Management
The nursing management of asthma is a comprehensive approach that relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of healthcare professionals. It involves thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis, strategic planning, effective implementation, and diligent evaluation. By meticulously following this step-by-step process, healthcare professionals play a crucial role in providing the best possible care and treatment for patients with asthma, enhancing their overall health and well-being.
First, in...
First, in...
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Classification of Asthma
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...