Cancer drug may help patients with severe asthma
Therapy targets immune cells driving lung inflammation

A small clinical trial suggests that some patients with severe asthma may benefit from treatment with a targeted cancer drug. The study, conducted in part at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, showed that imatinib (brand name Gleevec), commonly prescribed to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, also targets specific immune cells known to drive inflammation in the lungs.
The results are published May 17 in The New England Journal of Medicine.....

Read more here: medicine.wustl.edu

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Blockbuster cancer drug shows surprising promise in treating severe asthma

A blockbuster cancer drug may have a surprising new use: It’s showing real promise in treating severe asthma. That may help researchers better understand the basic biology of the chronic condition — and develop new medications, according to a small proof-of-principle study published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The trial studied imatinib, known commonly under the brand name Gleevec, in 62 patients with severe and difficult-to-treat asthma. Imatinib is a chemotherapy used to treat leukemia and other cancers.....

Read more here: statnews.com

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Proof-of principle study finds imatinib improves symptoms for patients with severe asthma

In a new, proof-of-principle study researchers have found that targeting the mast cells with imatinib, a drug used to effectively treat certain forms of cancer, improved airway hyperresponsiveness, a measure of the sensitivity of the airway, and decreased the number of mast cells present in the airway. Treatment also produced a small improvement in airway function.....

Read more here: sciencedaily.com