Asthma therapy with agents preventing leukotriene synthesis or action.

Elucidation of the biochemistry of leukotriene production and the pharmacology of its actions has led to the development of a number of therapeutic agents shown to be of value in the treatment of asthma. These agents either prevent the synthesis of the leukotrienes, by preventing the action of the 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein or the catalytic action of the 5-lipoxygenase, or by inhibiting the action of leukotrienes at the CysLT1 receptor. Numerous clinical trials in exercise-induced asthma, allergen-induced asthma, aspirin-induced asthma, and spontaneously occurring asthmatic episodes have indicated that these agents are safe and effective asthma treatments.