Asthma Decoded. Cure Possible in Five Years, Scientists Say

In a major breakthrough, scientists have pinpointed the exact cause of asthma that could lead to a cure within five years.

Researchers from Cardiff University, Kings College London and Mayo Clinic in the US identified the role of calcium sensing receptors (CaSR) in triggering asthma symptoms including inflammation and narrowing of airway. The new study showed that the receptors responded to recognized environmental triggers that bring on an attack.

"Our paper shows how these triggers release chemicals that activate CaSR in airway tissue and drive asthma symptoms like airway twitchiness, inflammation, and narrowing," said Professor Daniela Riccardi from Cardiff's School of Biosciences.

Nearly 300 people worldwide suffer from asthma, of which about five percent do not respond to existing treatments, accounting for nearly 90 percent of asthma related healthcare costs. The new study published in Science Translational Medicine pointed out that a cure is within reach. A class of meds called Calcilytics, currently used to treat bone depletion in people with osteoporosis, can be used to manipulate CaSR to reverse or even prevent asthma.

"Using calcilytics, nebulized directly into the lungs, we show that it is possible to deactivate CaSR and prevent all of these symptoms," Professor Riccardi said.

"If we can prove that calcilytics are safe when administered directly to the lung in people, then in five years we could be in a position to treat patients and potentially stop asthma from happening in the first place," she added.