Impact of airway wall fibrosis on the efficacy of anti-asthma drugs [ 2004 - 2006 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Alastair Stewart (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Darren Fernandes ,  Prof Mimi Tang

Brief description Most episodes of asthma are controlled or prevented by current medications. In a small, but significant proportion of asthmatics (5-10%) symptoms persist despite the use of the best combinations of anti-asthma drugs. One of the reasons that acute episodes of asthma occur is that the airway tubes slowly change in structure. These changes involve an increase in the amount of collagen (part of the cement between cells) making the airway stiffer. In this project, we are exploring the impact of the stiffening of the airway on the way that different cells within the airway wall respond to drugs used to treat asthma. Our initial findings suggest that when the airway wall becomes stiffer with more collagen, there is a diminished benefit from the anti-asthma drugs. This new study is designed to identify the molecular mechanisms for the poor response to the anti-asthma drugs. With this knowledge it will be easier to design and test new drugs that are more effective in severe asthma.

Funding Amount $AUD 432,750.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant