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Inflammation, inflammatory mediators, and mediator antagonists in asthma
1Cardiovascular Research Institute and Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0111, USA.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 14, 1998
Summary
Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease. Newer targeted therapies focus on specific cells and mediators, offering advanced treatment options beyond traditional corticosteroids for managing asthma.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease.
- Key cellular players include mast cells, antigen-presenting cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, and T helper 2 (TH2) lymphocytes.
- These cells release mediators causing bronchoconstriction, edema, mucus production, and hyperresponsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the inflammatory cascade in asthma.
- To discuss the evolution of asthma therapies.
- To highlight new targeted treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on asthma pathogenesis and treatment.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms in asthma.
- Discussion of novel pharmacologic agents and biologics.
Main Results:
- Corticosteroids have been the standard therapy for moderate to severe asthma.
- A deeper understanding of asthma pathophysiology has enabled targeted therapies.
- Newer treatments include leukotriene inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies offer specific approaches to interrupt the asthma inflammatory cascade.
- Monoclonal antibodies against intracellular adhesion molecules or immunoglobulin E represent advanced asthma management.
- Personalized medicine is advancing asthma treatment efficacy.