Calcium channel blockade and asthma--the current position

Calcium has a central role coupling stimulus to cellular activities such as secretion and contraction. Because calcium is critical for airway smooth muscle contraction, degranulation of mast cells and secretion of mucus, there has been great interest and hope in the use of calcium channel blockers in the treatment of asthma. We here discuss the effects of calcium channel blockers and also review clinical studies of these drugs in asthma, focusing on recent findings. There have been several recent reviews on this topic (1,2) and it is now possible to evaluate the role of these drugs in the management of asthma.