SAN DIEGO – An experimental inhalation system could help patients with asthma who are dependent on chronic oral corticosteroid therapy to reduce their doses of these steroids and potentially their side effects.
A phase II/III study suggests the system helped preserve lung function as oral corticosteroids were reduced, by delivering small budesonide to the peripheral lungs to target small airway inflammation in a randomized, controlled study of 199 patients. The study was presented by an employee of the system’s developer.
What we don’t know yet is whether the new system is better than existing technology such as metered dose inhalers for delivering small-molecule medications for asthma, or can be used in conjunction with them, Dr. Sally E. Wenzel told us in an interview.
Dr. Wenzel, professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, does target the small airways when treating some patients. She provided perspective on this strategy and what may lie ahead.
Dr. Wenzel disclosed financial associations with multiple companies involved in asthma medications.
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