Cells mediating steroid-resistant asthma identified

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have been able to identify cells that can play a critical role in some forms of steroid-resistant asthma, which is a complication of the condition that makes treatment even more challenging.

The study was published in an issue of the Journal of Immunology.

From Sciencedaily.com:

More than 22 million Americans (including 9 million children) are diagnosed with asthma, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As many as 50 percent of them have asthma that can be resistant to steroids, which are intended to reduce lung inflammation during an asthma attack, Dr. Kolls said.

"Asthma is a challenging condition to treat. For many patients, if they take preventive medications regularly, the condition can be controlled and they can lead relatively normal lives," Dr. Kolls said. "Inhaled steroids are an important treatment for patients to prevent asthma attacks. Unfortunately, some patients have attacks despite the use of inhaled steroids, meaning they don't respond to steroids or they need such high doses that side effects are experienced."

It was remarked by study's senior author, Jay K. Kolls, MD, chief of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital that discovery of a lineage of cells known as T Helper Type 17 (Th17) can be useful in helping scientists to develop new treatments and exercise a better control on the disease.