Leukotrienes, leukotriene receptor antagonists and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors in asthma: An update. Part II: Clinical studies with leukotriene receptor antagonists and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors in asthma

The demonstration that leukotrienes, mainly cysteinyl leukotrienes, have bi ological properties relevant to the pathogenesis of asthma has stimulated t he development of many therapeutic compounds to block these deleterious eff ects. Two main classes of leukotriene modulators have been developed: CysLT (1) receptor antagonists and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors. This article reviews the pharmacodynamics, the effects on baseline airway function, the protective effects in airway challenges as well as the results in chronic asthma of the different leukotriene modulators. In addition, the complement ary anti-inflammatory effect of leukotriene modulators to that of corticost eroids and H-1-histamine receptor antagonists is reviewed. Finally, a conci se overview of the clinical responsiveness to this new class of drug, the s afety and the drug interactions as well as the place in the strategies of t reatment for asthmatic patients of the leukotriene modulators is also provi ded. (C) 1999 Academic Press.