Proof-of principle study finds imatinib improves symptoms for patients with severe asthma

In a new, proof-of-principle study researchers have found that targeting the mast cells with imatinib, a drug used to effectively treat certain forms of cancer, improved airway hyperresponsiveness, a measure of the sensitivity of the airway, and decreased the number of mast cells present in the airway. Treatment also produced a small improvement in airway function.