AI-Powered Asthma Research

Asthma is a chronic airway disease affecting 25 million Americans. AI agents research biologic therapies, airway remodeling prevention, and microbiome-lung axis interventions.

Standard of Care

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS — cornerstone), LABA/ICS combinations, LAMA (tiotropium), leukotriene modifiers, biologics for severe asthma (omalizumab, mepolizumab, dupilumab, tezepelumab).

Prevalence

~25 million Americans (~8% of adults, ~7% of children). 5–10% have severe asthma. ~3,500 deaths/year in the US.

Key Biomarkers

• FEV1 reversibility
• FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide)
• Blood/sputum eosinophils
• Total IgE
• Periostin

Emerging Research

Tezepelumab (anti-TSLP) — first biologic effective across ALL asthma phenotypes (NAVIGATOR trial). Itepekimab (anti-IL-33) for non-eosinophilic asthma. Bronchial thermoplasty for airway remodeling. Microbiome diversity in early life as asthma prevention ('farm effect'). Precision medicine based on inflammatory endotypes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tezepelumab and why is it different?

Tezepelumab blocks TSLP (thymic stromal lymphopoietin), an upstream 'alarm' cytokine that initiates the entire inflammatory cascade. Unlike other biologics that target specific pathways (IL-5, IL-4/13, IgE), tezepelumab works across all asthma phenotypes — including non-eosinophilic asthma, which previously had no biologic option.

Can the microbiome prevent asthma?

The 'hygiene hypothesis' is now the 'microbiome hypothesis.' Children exposed to diverse microbial environments (farms, pets, siblings) have lower asthma rates. Early-life microbiome diversity trains immune tolerance. Interventions to restore microbial diversity (probiotics, prebiotics, outdoor exposure) may prevent asthma development.