Designing corticosteroid drugs for pulmonary selectivity.
Inhaled corticosteroids have become indispensable for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Significant progress has been made toward minimizing side effects through the use of increasingly selective molecules, and through a variety of lung targeting strategies. Many of these developments have occurred in advance of a greatly improved understanding of corticosteroid biology at the molecular and pharmacologic level, and it has become clear that additional opportunities exist for the further enhancement of therapeutic index. This article discusses significant recent developments in the chemistry, biology, and pharmacology of corticosteroids, and considers the implications for the future use of inhaled corticosteroids.
Biggadike
Keith
K
GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK. stuart.n.farrow@gsk.com
Uings
Iain
I
Farrow
Stuart N
SN
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents