Asthma: Targeted Biological Therapies

Girolamo Pelaia is Full Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Italy. In 1985 he received his degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Reggio Calabria, Italy, and in 1989 he graduated as "Specialist in Respiratory Diseases" at the University of Naples "Federico II", Italy. From 1990 to 1992 he was Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School of Medicine of Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., USA. Prof. Pelaia's research activity and scientific production primarily deal with the pathophysiology and clinical pharmacology of chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma and COPD. He has authored or co-authored over 150 original articles and reviews published in both national and international journals, and several book chapters. Alessandro Vatrella is Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Salerno, Italy. In 1982 he received his degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Naples "Federico II", Italy, where in 1986 he also graduated as "Specialist in Respiratory Diseases". Prof. Vatrella's research activity and scientific production primarily deal with the pharmacological modulation of bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation. In particular, he studied the basic mechanisms of airway hyper-responsiveness using experimental mo dels of asthma induced by different stimuli such as methacholine, ultrasonic nebulized distilled water and beta-blocking drugs. He has authored or co-authored over 200 original articles and reviews published in both national and international journals, and several book chapters. Rosario Maselli is Full Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Italy. In 1973 he received his degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Naples "Federico II", Italy, where in 1976 he also graduated as "Specialist in Respiratory Diseases". Prof. Maselli's early research activity primarily focused on the utilization of mass spectrometry, which was used to obtain information about lung volumes and cardiac output. His group is currently studying the involvement, in both respiratory pathophysiology and pulmonary pharmacology, of the signaling mechanisms mediated by "mitogen-activated protein kinases". He has authored or co-authored over 150 original articles and reviews published in both national and international journals, and several book chapters.

Introduction.- Inflammatory cellular patterns in asthma.- Airway remodelling in asthma.- Anti-IgE antibodies.- IL-5-targeted antibodies.- IL-4-specific biologics.- Anti-IL-13 therapies.- Anti-TNFalpha-antibodies.- Biologic treatments targeted to innate cytokines.- Other biologic drugs.- Conclusions and future perspectives.

"This is a small but comprehensive book that focuses on the molecular pathophysiology of asthma, and discusses different targeted biological therapies, including several drugs targeting multiple pathways that are currently in development. It would be a welcome acquisition for pulmonologists, immunologists, or any physicians with an interest in this topic." (Santosh Dhungana, Doody's Book Reviews, April, 2017)