[New drugs in asthma treatment. Leukotriene receptor blockers and leukotriene synthesis inhibitors].

Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease. The patient is characterised by increased mucus secretion, mucosal oedema, bronchial obstruction of varying degree and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Several cell types and a large number of mediators are involved in asthma-related inflammation and constriction of the airways. The leukotrienes constitute an important group of mediators in asthmatic inflammation. The study of specific leukotriene receptor antagonists and biosynthesis inhibitors has not only shed light on the underlying mechanisms in asthma, but also opened up the way to new treatment alternatives. As zafirlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist has just been licensed in Finland, it is a suitable opportunity to review the importance of leukotrienes in asthma and the use of agents that affect them.