Abstract
Educational aims
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To provide an overview of airway inflammation in asthma.
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To review current management guidelines' recommendations for the use of anti-inflammatory therapies in asthma.
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To discuss current treatment options for airway inflammation in asthma.
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To outline unmet needs for treating airway inflammation in asthma.
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To describe novel targets for treating airway inflammation in asthma based on current knowledge.
Summary Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that requires long-term anti-inflammatory therapy. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are recommended for first-line treatment of persistent disease, but not all patients achieve asthma control even when these agents are used in high doses and in combination with other medications, such as a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) or a leukotriene modifier. Such patients may require additional therapy. As information about asthma pathophysiology and inflammatory phenotypes continues to accumulate, and additional anti-inflammatory options become available, it may be possible to target anti-inflammatory therapy to various aspects of the disease and consequently to improve treatment of patients who respond inadequately to standard ICS-based therapy. Several novel anti-inflammatory therapies are at different stages of clinical development. This article will provide an overview of current and future approaches targeting airway inflammation in asthma.
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