New drugs for asthma.

Extract: Asthma has now become one of the most common chronic diseases in industrialized countries and is predicted to increase throughout the world over the next decade, particularly in developing countries. Previously, asthma was viewed as a disease of bronchoconstriction (closing of the airways) and treated predominantly with bronchodilators (drugs which open up the airways), but more recently it has been seen as an inflammatory disease of the airways and the mainstay of modern management is treatment with inhaled corticosteroids. The airway inflammation in asthma is characterized by activation of mast cells, infiltration of eosinophils and increased activated T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes. Inhaled corticosteroids have revolutionized the management of asthma, leading to better control of asthma, reduced hospital admissions and a reduced mortality. Corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists (salmeterol and formoterol) in fixed combination inhalers are currently the most effective therapy for asthma and are increasingly used in all patients with persistent symptoms.