Leukotriene modifiers in asthma management

The prevalence of asthma is increasing, especially among children. Despite the attention focused on the acute phase of asthma, asthmatic airways demonstrate increased inflammatory cell infiltration and irreversible structural alterations (remodeling). Thus, therapy must transcend the control of symptoms and focus on the prevention of chronic inflammation, which progressively evolves toward airway remodeling. Leukotrienes have been demonstrated to play a causative role both in the early bronchoconstriction noted in asthmatics and in the late chronic inflammatory component, and drugs that can inhibit the actions or synthesis of leukotrienes (leukotriene modifiers) are now available by prescription.