Bronchial asthma

Abstract

After the discovery of chronic airway inflammation, researchers have been focusing on the mechanisms underlying the induction of airway inflammation. The results have been contributing to clinical processes such as diagnosis and treatment Regarding diagnosis, biomarkers to assess airway inflammation, such as the fraction of exhaled nitrogen oxide and eosinophil counts in sputa or peripheral blood, have been identified, in addition to the conventional pulmonary physiological functional assessment parameters. More useful biomarkers need to be developed for diagnosing and treating asthma with higher sensitivity and specificity. Concerning the management of asthma, numerous needs in treating intractable asthma remain unmet. New medications targeting molecules involved in asthma pathogenesis are expected to be developed, and the results of bronchial thermoplasty assessment are awaited.