Small airway asthma therapy, challenges, and the future.
The clinical significance of small airway pathology makes these passages an important therapeutic target in asthma. Conventional chlorofluorocarbon-based formulations of inhaled corticosteroids for asthmatic inflammation produce aerosols with a relatively large particle size, and as such, offer poor access to the small airways. New corticosteroid formulations use hydrofluoroalkane propellants with a smaller average particle size, allowing better access to the distal lung. By extending the delivery of this medication to the peripheral lung and by increasing the efficiency of lung targeting, these new corticosteroid formulations provide more effective treatment at reduced drug doses.
Casale
Thomas B
TB
Center for Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68131, USA. tbcasale@creighton.edu
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000335:Aerosol Propellants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000403:Airway Resistance; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055745:Bronchioles / Q000378:metabolism; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017402:Chlorofluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010316:Particle Size; D005466:Fluorocarbons
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000335:Aerosol Propellants; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D017402:Chlorofluorocarbons; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D005446:Fluocinolone Acetonide; D006845:Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; C007734:flunisolide; C094049:apaflurane; D005466:Fluorocarbons