Discusses three major classes of asthma therapies-bronchodilators, antiinflammatories, and antiallergics-as well as potential new therapeutic approaches!This comprehensive volume addresses the latest treatment strategies for asthma, keying in on the genetics and molecular biology of asthma and pointing the way toward new, commercially viable therapies.Presents the most up-to-date information available on the genetics, epidemiology, pathology, pharmacology, and pulmonology of asthma.Written by more than 20 leading international experts, New and Exploratory Therapeutic Agents for Asthmaexplores asthma both as incidence of dysfunctional airway smooth muscle and as a disorder of the immune system examines the role of monoclonal antibodies in allergy and asthma describes functions and pharmacokinetic profiles of bronchodilator 2 agonists, anticholinergics, and inhaled glucocorticosteroids investigates the controversy of different types of asthma illustrates the connections between clinical symptoms and the immunopathology of eosinophilic inflammation assesses prospects for the development of a successful oral anti-inflammatory therapy, an immunomodulator that lowers antigen-specific IgE, an anticytokine compound, and an agent that safely combines bronchospasmolytic and anti-inflammatory properties reviews the impact of the recent introduction of antileukotriene agents, clinical findings with PAF antagonists, and selective antimuscarinics evaluates the relationship between improvements in laboratory results and clinical effectiveness and more!Containing over 2000 bibliographic citations and a concise introduction for each chapter, New and Exploratory Therapeutic Agents for Asthma is indispensable for pulmonologists, pediatricians, physiologists, immunologists, allergists, pharmaceutical industry scientists, primary care physicians, and medical s