[Bronchial asthma: allergy and inflammation. Principles of rational asthma therapy]

Improved concepts concerning the pathogenesis of chronic bronchial asthma, the role of air pollutants, infections, and allergic reactions are the basis of established therapeutic principles and the development of new drugs: Allergens initiate long lasting inflammatory processes ("late phase reactions") in the bronchial system. This inflammation causes bronchial hyperreactivity and altered lung function. A large number of inflammatory cells and mediators are involved. Air pollutants and infections can act in the same way. Asthma treatment should focus in the inflammatory process, start early and prevent and treat both chronic inflammation and acute bronchospasm.