Novel therapies for the treatment of inflammatory airway disease.
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diseases of the airways with an underlying inflammatory component. The prevalence and healthcare burden of asthma and COPD is still rising and is predicted to continue to rise in the current century. The beta-agonists and corticosteroids form the basis of the treatments available to alleviate the symptoms of asthma, whereas the treatments available for COPD have been shown to have a limited effect on slowing the progression of the disease. Asthma and COPD are both in need of novel, safe treatments to tackle the underlying inflammation that characterises their pathology. The inflammatory processes inherent in asthma and COPD provide the opportunity for innovative drug research. This review will outline the new approaches and targets being investigated, which may provide opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions in these debilitating diseases.
Hele
David J
DJ
Respiratory Pharmacology Group, Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart & Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, Dovehouse Street, London, SW3 6LY, UK.
Belvisi
Maria G
MG
D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators