Breakthrough in Asthma Treatment: New Target Revealed to Reverse Lung Damage

Scientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Manchester have identified a promising new therapeutic target that could revolutionize asthma treatment. Traditionally, asthma management focuses on controlling lung inflammation with steroid inhalers, yet millions worldwide still suffer from severe symptoms and face a high risk of fatal events. Remarkably, recent research has uncovered that structural lung damage—including scarring and increased tissue stiffness—may occur independently of inflammatory processes.

The research, published in Science Immunology, demonstrates that in animal models, preventing inflammation alone is insufficient to reverse the fibrosis that causes irreversible lung changes in severe asthma. Instead, scientists found that targeting specific protein molecules associated with tissue damage can effectively "remarkably reverse" lung scarring. This discovery opens up avenues for therapies that not only manage inflammation but also repair structural lung damage.

Dr. Tara Sutherland from the University of Aberdeen explains that current drugs mainly inhibit inflammation but may not prevent the progression of structural damage in severe cases. She emphasizes that understanding and targeting tissue remodeling could lead to treatments capable of halting or reversing fibrosis, which is a significant contributor to disease severity and mortality worldwide.

This research holds promise beyond asthma, potentially benefiting other diseases characterized by tissue fibrosis, such as COPD, chronic heart conditions, and liver cirrhosis—collectively responsible for about 40% of global deaths.

In animal studies, the researchers observed that interventions blocking key proteins linked to tissue damage could reverse lung scarring even after inflammation was controlled. This suggests that future therapies might combine anti-inflammatory drugs with those that directly target structural tissue changes.

Experts believe that such advances could redefine treatment strategies for severe asthma and other fibrotic diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Although these findings are preliminary, they represent a significant step toward therapies that could prevent disease progression and restore lung health.

James Parkinson from the University of Manchester highlights the importance of considering airway remodeling in future research, reinforcing that comprehensive approaches are needed to address all aspects of asthma pathology.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-potential-therapeutic-asthma.html