Anti-leukotrienes in Childhood Asthma

Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory condition. The inflammatory actions of leukotrienes (LT) B4, C4, D4, and E4 have been shown experimentally to play a role in inflammatory mechanisms, producing asthma. Antileukotrienes (ALT) or leukotrienes antagonists (LA) is a new class of anti-asthma drugs with anti-inflammatory role. LT modifiers from the groups of 5 lipoxygenase inhibitor and Cys LT1 receptor antagonists, are found useful in asthma therapy. LAs are of main use in young infants and toddler with recurrent wheezing, children with moderate to severe chronic asthma on steroid therapy and in allergic rhinitis. In chronic asthma they are required to be used for prolonged periods with other anti-asthma agents. Except for Montelukast and Zafirlukast, which can be used in children above two and six years of age respectively, the paediatric use of other agents is yet to be established. However, these agents are essentially safe. The cost of LAs is reasonably high. At present, with available evidence, these drugs are considered promising in management of asthma in children. However, there is need to do more long term clinical trials for ascertaining their effectivity in different types of asthma to compare their effects with long acting B2 agnoists and chromones, so as to optimally explore their utility.Key Words: Antileukotrienes, Asthma, Children, LeukotrienesAsthma is an inflammatory disease. The effective therapeutic intervention is based on use of anti-inflammatory drugs. At present, steroids are being used in aerosol/oral and parenteral forms. Corticosteroid therapy has inherent difficulties of administration and side effects. Therefore, newer group of drugs called ALT, LA or leukotrienes modifiers are being explored. The ALT represent a new class of mediator specific, anti-inflammatory anti-asthma drugs. Consequent to the studies showing their effectiveness in paediatric age group, ALT are soon going to establish their place in childhood asthma management 1, 2].