An evaluation of azathioprine in severe chronic asthma

Hodges, N. G.; Brewis, R. A. L.; Howell, J. B. L.

doi:10.1136/thx.26.6.734

Cited by 32 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Controlled clinical studies have shown that low doses of methotrexate are an effective treatment for corticosteroidresistant asthma, although azathiopurine is not [5,18]. Cy closporin A is also reported to be of therapeutic value in patients who are corticosteroid-resistant [5,19,20].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of Some Immunosuppressors on Allergic Bronchial Inflammation and Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Mice

Nagai

Yamaguchi²,

Tanaka³

et al. 1995

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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The effects of two new immunosuppressors, FK-506 and mizoribine, on antigen-induced bronchial inflammation and reactivity to acetylcholine in mice were studied in comparison with those of cyclosporin A and cyclophosphamide. Three inhalations of an antigen by actively sensitized BALB/c mice resulted in an increase in airway reactivity to acetylcholine. Twenty-four hours after the final inhalation, the number of leukocytes (mononuclear cells and eosinophils) and the amount of interleukin 5 (IL-5) increased significantly. In BALB/c nu/nu mice (athymic mice), three inhalations of antigen caused no significant change in either airway inflammation or hyperresponsiveness. The administration of each of the four immunosuppressors clearly inhibited antigen-induced airway eosinophilia. Moreover, FK-506, mizoribine and cyclophosphamide clearly inhibited the antigen-induced IL-5 production and cyclosporin A showed the tendency to inhibit IL-5 production. Whereas FK-506, mizoribine and cyclosporin A clearly inhibited the antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity in BALB/c mice, cyclophosphamide did not show a significant effect on this airway hyperreactivity. These results indicate that FK-506, mizoribine and cyclosporin A, but not cyclophosphamide, inhibit antigen-induced airway hyperreactivity in mice. The mechanism which inhibits antigen-induced airway eosinophilia and IL-5 production is not involved in the inhibitory mechanism of airway hyperreactivity by FK-506 and mizoribine.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several reports show that certain immunosuppressors are effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma [5, [16][17][18][19][20]. Controlled clinical studies have shown that low doses of methotrexate are an effective treatment for corticosteroidresistant asthma, although azathiopurine is not [5,18].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Some Immunosuppressors on Allergic Bronchial Inflammation and Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Mice

Nagai

Yamaguchi²,

Tanaka³

et al. 1995

Int Arch Allergy Immunol

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“…Nevertheless, there are limited studies to address the effectiveness of azathioprine in patients with asthma. Azathioprine did not improve FEV 1 or reduce asthma exacerbations (96). Due to insufficient evidence, it is recommended that more clinical trials are required to investigate the effectiveness of azathioprine in asthma patients.…”

Section: Azathioprinementioning

confidence: 96%

Unconventional Treatment Options in Severe Asthma: An Overivew

Banh

2011

J Pharm Pharm Sci

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In Canada, asthma is the leading cause of admission in hospital. About of 80% of the death from asthma is preventable. Severe asthma is defined as a patient with persistent symptoms despite the use of adequate controller therapy, including multiple courses of oral glucocorticosteroids. However, about 10% of patients with severe asthma remain poorly controlled despite optimal treatment and these patients have the greatest morbidity and mortality. The management of refractory severe asthma remains extremely challenging. For patients with refractory severe asthma, the adjunct therapies recommended by national guidelines only included oral glucocorticosteroid and anti-IgE antibody (omalizumab) therapy. Currently, there is limited published literature on the unconventional treatments of refractory severe asthma. The objective of this review article is to provide an updated therapeutic overview of unconventional treatment options for refractory severe asthma. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.

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“…Two placebo‐controlled studies were unable to demonstrate a beneficial effect of azathioprine (2–5 mg/kg daily) in asthma [ 117, 118]. These studies can be criticized, however, for the short duration of azathioprine therapy of maximal 4 weeks [ 116].…”

Section: Immunosuppressants and Antimetabolitesmentioning

confidence: 99%