title: Biological markers in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating asthma: a focus on noninvasive measurements.
abstract: Asthma is a major concern for society, healthcare professionals, and individuals and families directly affected by asthma due to rising morbidity rates and costs associated with the disease. The pathological hallmark of asthma is airway inflammation that is considered to be a major cause of exacerbations and persistent structural alterations of the airways. Assessing airway inflammation is important for investigating the underlying mechanisms of the disease and possibly for following the progression and resolution of the disease. The presence and type of airway inflammation can be difficult to detect clinically, and may result in delays in initiating appropriate therapy. The purpose of this article is to review noninvasive methods for assessing biological markers of airway inflammation and their potential role in the future for diagnosing, monitoring, and treating asthma. The article reviews the noninvasive measurements of induced sputum and exhaled nitric oxide as indicators of airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Division of Respirology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Lisa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Cicutto
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Downey
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D009569:Nitric Oxide