Novel drug targets for asthma and COPD: Lessons learned from in vitro and in vivo models

Publication date: December 2014 Source:Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Volume 29, Issue 2 Author(s): Katie E. Baker , Sara J. Bonvini , Chantal Donovan , Rachel E. Foong , Bing Han , Aruni Jha , Yasin Shaifta , Marieke Smit , Jill R. Johnson , Lyn M. Moir Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are highly prevalent respiratory diseases characterized by airway inflammation, airway obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. Whilst current therapies, such as β-agonists and glucocorticoids, may be effective at reducing symptoms, they do not reduce disease progression. Thus, there is a need to identify new therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the potential of novel targets or tools, including anti-inflammatories, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, transient receptor potential channels, vitamin D and protease inhibitors, for the treatment of asthma and COPD.
Source: Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research