New Asthma Research For 2009

There has been a new research on asthma which propagates that instead of the use of stimulants to treat asthma, an opposite approach to asthma treatment may be in order. It is being investigated as to whether or not beta-2 adrenoreceptor antagonist drugs (or beta blockers) could be a safer, more effective way of combating long term asthma.

Basically beta-2 adrenoreceptor is a receptor which is found in many cells, including the smooth muscle lining the airways, and scientists have long been interested in its effectiveness or the way that it can help. But according to a very recent study, if the key gene that produces the receptor is somehow absent, asthma-like symptoms are reduced. So the question comes in mind that is whether to block/ inhibit the receptor or chronically stimulate it to reduce asthma symptoms. There is some confusion there. Now this new asthma research has come at a very appropriate time as FDA is now considering a renewed look at the use of long-acting beta agonist drugs (LABAs) - at least the ones which are used alone, for the management of asthma symptoms. In one report issued by FDA an analysis of more than 100 trials on four drugs established a relatively increased risk of hospitalization and asthma-related deaths with the LABA-only therapy. Due to which an advisrot panel quite understandably urged the FDA to ban the LABA-only drugs and reduce the manufacture of combination drugs.

Now an alternative to stimulants has also been proposed, that is the use of antagonists (or beta blockers) instead. According to this treatment approach the symptoms should get worse before eventually being eradicated. Beta blockers are not very popular with asthma specialists because they sometimes trigger bronchoconstriction. But they are good in the sense that they can diminish the number of times a patient suffers from asthma attacks, if used on a regular basis. Of course they are not going to replace the inhalers anytime soon. Some studies have repeatedly shown that whether or not receptor signaling is blocked by using beta blockers or genetically by 'removing' the receptor, the resulting effect is going to remain the same. Of course if the receptor is blocked with antagonists, instead of stimulating it with agonists, asthma-like features can be reduced.

Some recent studies are also taking place which are studying beta-blocker drug nadolol in patients with mild asthma. In the first clinical trial, eight of 10 patients had lesser airway hyperresponsiveness on beta-blocker therapy at the end of the trial, although in some of them an initial negative response was seen. Some critics are of the opinion that the use of beta-blocker therapy for asthma demands careful, consideration and of course some further investigation, including the use of specific alternative types of beta blockers. So this means that a lot has yet to be proved before this study can be offered to the asthma patients. So the new asthma research for 2009 definitely leaves much more to be desired but one thing is for sure that the scientists and of course the pharmaceutical companies are now getting much serious for finding out a good cure for asthma.