Molecular mechanism of asthma and its novel molecular target therapeutic agent

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disease with major public health ramifications owing to its high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in severe and recurrent cases. Conventional therapeutic options could partially alleviate the burden of asthma, yet a novel approach is needed to completely control this condition. To do so, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying asthma is essential to recognize and treat the major pathways that drive its pathophysiology. In this review, we will discuss the molecular mechanism of asthma, in particular focusing on the type of inflammatory responses it elicits, namely type 2 and non-type 2 asthma. Furthermore, we will discuss the novel therapeutic options that target the aberrant molecules found in asthma pathophysiology. We will specifically focus on the role of novel monoclonal antibody therapies recently developed, such as the anti-IgE, IL-5, IL-5Rα, and IL-4Rα antibodies, drugs that have been extensively studied preclinically and clinically.

Keywords: Asthma; Monoclonal antibody; Non-type 2; Type 2.