Bronchial asthma induced by mediators produced in vitro by sensitized lymphomonocytes. Protective effect of ketotifen.

A new procedure for the production in vitro of mediators of asthma is shortly described. This technique can be applied to the study of efficacy of anti-asthmatic agents. A double-blind study, which included 23 asthma patients was performed. Half of the patients were treated with Ketotifen 2 mg/day for 7 days, the other half with placebo. The patients were challenged with the cell cultures supernatants before and after the treatment period. The results obtained demonstrate a clear-cut protection of the patients treated with the active substance whereas the placebo group fail to do so.