Pitrakinra for asthma.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: In asthma IL-4 and IL-13 have been demonstrated to play major pathogenic roles and therefore their blockade would potentially represent a plausible therapeutic approach.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: Pitrakinra is a dual IL-4/IL-13 inhibitor currently under development for asthma and the existing preclinical and clinical data are discussed.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: Inhaled pitrakinra demonstrated a good anti-inflammatory potential and a good safety profile on a short-term basis but its place in asthma therapy is still to be found.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Specific anticytokine therapies might in the near future reshape asthma therapy.