Leukotriene-receptor antagonists. Role in asthma management.

OBJECTIVE To examine the role of leukotriene-receptor antagonists (LTRAs) in management of asthma.

QUALITY OF EVIDENCE Most data were derived from randomized, double-blind, controlled trials.

MAIN MESSAGE Leukotrienes appear to have an important role in the pathophysiology of asthma, including airway inflammation. Leukotriene-receptor antagonists are effective in improving asthma control end points, such as allergen, ASA, and exercise challenge, in clinical models of asthma. In chronic asthma, LTRA administration reduces asthma symptoms and rescue beta 2-agonist use, changes that are paralleled by improvements in lung function. Both zafirlukast and montelukast decrease circulating levels of eosinophils and could have other useful anti-inflammatory properties. Administration of LTRAs allows doses of inhaled corticosteroids to be reduced. Currently available LTRAs are free of serious side effects and are available as oral formulations.

CONCLUSIONS Leukotriene-receptor antagonists belong to a new class of asthma medication. While inhaled corticosteroids remain first-line therapy for managing chronic asthma, LTRAs should be considered for patients with ASA-sensitive asthma; as adjunct therapy when low to moderate doses of inhaled steroid alone provide incomplete control; or as adjunct therapy to allow reduction in doses of inhaled corticosteroids.