Asthma is often considered one disease, but researchers and physicians know it’s a complex landscape of different types, variations, and triggers. To better treat the condition, a new grant funding has been awarded to a research collaboration between Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Wyss Institute to identify subtypes of asthma.
Dr. Tanya Laidlaw, one of the project leads, explained that patients with asthma often face difficulties due to the imbalance of proteins in their immune system, leading to inflammation and breathing difficulties. The researchers aim to identify specific proteins in nasal fluid that can cause different types of asthma.
The new work will build on existing collaboration between the groups, using samples from 125 patients with five distinct types of asthma to test protein levels in nasal fluid. These subgroups include those with allergies, aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, type 2 diabetes, and asthma without clear causes.
By analyzing proteins in both blood and nasal fluid, the researchers hope to develop a better understanding of how these biomarkers can be used to identify the cause of each subtype. The goal is to create precision medicine for asthma treatment, allowing doctors to provide more personalized care.
If successful, the research could lead to the development of new diagnostic tools, such as small strips inserted into the nose to collect nasal fluid samples, which would help doctors tailor treatments to individual patients.
The approach is similar to cancer treatment, where a single type of medication is not used for all patients. Dr. Laidlaw emphasized that each patient with asthma requires a unique approach to treatment, and this research aims to achieve that goal.
Source: https://baystatebanner.com/2025/01/08/new-asthma-research-effort-aims-for-better-understanding-treatments