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Experimental and investigational phosphodiesterase inhibitors in development for asthma |
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| Authors: | Polyxeni Ntontsi Aggeliki Detta Petros Bakakos Stelios Loukides |
| Affiliation: | 1. 2nd Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece;2. 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Severe, inadequately-controlled asthma remains a clinical challenge. For this reason, clinical trials and preclinical experimental studies on novel agents as an add-on therapies continue emerge. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are enzymes that regulate the function of immune cells by hydrolyzing cyclic guanosine monophosphate/cGMP and cyclic adenosine monophosphate/cAMP. PDEs are divided into subfamilies [PDE3, PDE4, PDE5 and PDE7] which are mainly found in the respiratory tract. Inhibitors of PDEs have already been approved for COPD and pulmonary hypertension. Areas covered: The role of PDE inhibitors in asthma treatment and the possible mechanism of action via their anti-inflammatory and/or bronchodilating effect are discussed. Expert opinion: Novel PDE inhibitors exhibiting fewer adverse events may have a role as add-on therapies in asthma treatment in the future. More clinical trials are necessary to prove their efficacy and evaluate their safety profile before approval by regulatory bodies is granted. |
| Keywords: | Asthma novel agents PDE inhibitors neutrophilic asthma |