Asthma treatment advancements: Could a remedy be imminent?
In the ongoing quest to find a cure for asthma, researchers are exploring innovative approaches, with a growing focus on the microbiota. Cliff Han, a former biologist and founder of AllerPops, believes that the microbiota may hold the key to a breakthrough.
Recent studies have indicated a significant link between the lack of beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus and Veilonella in the oral and nasal cavities and the development of allergies, including asthma. This finding could pave the way for targeted treatments.
One non-invasive tool for asthma detection is eNose analysis, which has proven to be accurate in differentiating between asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals. This could revolutionise the diagnostic process.
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is currently conducting a study on an investigational RNA interference (RNAi) ARO-RAGE for the treatment of asthma.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia in Canada have validated Han's research on the relationship between the lung and gut microbiota. Their study highlights the importance of clean air and lung capacity in asthma prevention.
Animal studies have demonstrated that treatments increasing SCFA-producing bacteria can reduce lung inflammation, suggesting these metabolites are key immunoregulatory agents in asthma. The latest research indicates that manipulating the gut microbiota, particularly through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), shows promising potential for treating and possibly improving asthma outcomes.
Ongoing clinical trials, such as the "Microbiosthma" study, aim to better characterise airway microbiomes and their role in asthma development and severity. These studies provide foundational knowledge to develop personalised microbiota-targeted therapies.
In addition to natural microbiota modulation via dietary fiber, combinatorial interventions involving probiotics and other microbiota-driven immune modulators are being explored to create multidimensional treatments for allergic asthma.
For 300 million people worldwide, using an inhaler to relieve symptoms of an asthma attack is common. However, these treatments offer only momentary relief and are not a cure.
Han has developed prebiotic lollipops that ease allergy symptoms and help control asthma in nearly 80% of cases. Some recent studies have shown therapeutic promise for asthma treatment.
Researchers at Aston University have tested a molecule LIT-927, targeting the expression of the protein CXCL12, as a potential long-lasting solution for asthma treatment. A high blood eosinophil count of more than 300 cells/μL can evaluate the efficacy of drugs like mepolizumab and omalizumab to treat asthma.
A study conducted by Shandong University in China suggests that a healthy sleeping pattern and a low genetic risk could prevent about a fifth of total asthma cases. For those with a healthy sleep pattern and a low genetic risk, the likelihood of developing asthma comes down by 44%.
World Asthma Day is observed on May 2, a day dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for better management of this chronic disease. Improving air quality and understanding the precise mechanisms of gut-lung microbiota interactions are the current frontiers in asthma research, with the goal of developing personalised, microbiota-based interventions to improve asthma treatment efficacy and potentially alter disease progression.
[1] [Gao et al., 2020] [2] [Molloy et al., 2021] [4] [Xu et al., 2021]
- The microbiota in the oral and nasal cavities could be linked to the development of allergies, including asthma, as studies have shown a significant lack of beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus and Veilonella.
- Researchers are investigating the role of non-invasive tools like eNose analysis for asthma detection, as it has proven accurate in differentiating between asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals.
- Pharmaceutical companies such as Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals are conducting studies on investigational RNA interference (RNAi) for the treatment of asthma, like the ongoing study on ARO-RAGE.
- The relationship between the lung and gut microbiota is being researched extensively, with the University of British Columbia validating Han's research on its importance in asthma prevention.
- One potential approach to treating asthma is manipulating the gut microbiota, particularly through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as animal studies have demonstrated a reduction in lung inflammation through this method.
- Ongoing clinical trials, such as the "Microbiosthma" study, aim to better understand the role of airway microbiomes in asthma development and severity, with the goal of developing personalised microbiota-targeted therapies.
- In addition to natural methods like dietary fiber, startups are exploring combinatorial interventions involving probiotics and other immune modulators for a multidimensional approach to treating allergic asthma. While current treatments offer only temporary relief, innovations like prebiotic lollipops developed by Cliff Han show therapeutic promise for asthma treatment. Other research, such as the use of LIT-927 or understanding the impact of a healthy sleeping pattern and genetic risks, could also lead to significant advancements in asthma management.
