Australian researchers discovered that a family of proinflammatory molecules called beta common cytokines can control inflammation and scarring of the airways (fibrosis) in severe and steroid-resistant asthma.
As a result of the discovery, researchers believe that a human therapeutic antibody called trabikihart could be the key to effectively blocking the inflammation and scarring. The study, led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), suggest that treating multiple inflammatory cytokines with one drug could be the key to managing complex and severe chronic airway disease.
Currently, there are only a few treatment options for severe asthma, and they typically only target single molecules when multiple overlapping cells and inflammatory pathways are responsible for asthma.
In severe asthma, inflammation and tissue damage is caused by multiple immune cells that enter the lungs due to allergens, viruses and other microbes that interact with the airways.
