[Novelties and perspectives in asthma medicines]

Numerous works are devoted to the search for new classes of medication with the goal of promoting more efficacious and better tolerated drugs. Besides long-acting beta-2-adrenergic stimulants which are undergoing commercial development and whose indications are yet to be defined, one can distinguish several therapeutic classes which are undergoing research and development. Specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors of smooth bronchial muscle would have similar effects to theophylline with reduced side-effects. The potassium channel openers have a very powerful broncho-dilator action but the molecules studied are not specific for the bronchi and still have too many side-effects. Antagonists of tachykinins open research avenues in physiopathology and may have a therapeutic application. Anti-leukotrienes by their anti-inflammatory effect, would have a steroid sparing effect.