The role of immunomodulatory preparations in asthma treatment

Asthma remains one of the most prevalent respiratory tract disorders. The disease affects both adults and children and remains the most common cause of respiratory morbidity. Considering its significant impact on patients’ quality of life and the treatment burdened with side effects, a new therapy approaches affecting the clinical course of asthma are needed. Here we describe the current results that have been obtained on using immunomodulatory preparations in asthma. The analysis of previously published studies was conducted by using the PubMed and Scopus databases. Probiotics, bacterial lysates (BLs) and pidotimod are immunomodulatory compounds affecting both adaptive and innate immunity. The therapy based on probiotics might modulate the intestinal microbiota and regulate the inflammatory response. Bacterial lysates promote immune response by reversing Th1/Th2 unstable balance, which leads to reduction of allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness during asthma exacerbations. Pidotimod stimulates PRRs and increases the release of antimicrobial peptides which also leads to the improvement in the rate of respiratory tract infections. Some studies showed the beneficial effect of described preparations in asthma course. Regrettably, findings do not correspond with each other and the data referring to immunomodulatory compounds is still limited, thus there is an urgent need to conduct more, large sample studies.The conclusion we can only draw is that immunomodulatory compounds may offer an alternative approach for symptom reduction and prophylaxis against both infections and exacerbations of asthma.