Getting a GRP on asthma
Researchers at the Duke University School of Medicine have shown thata small molecule blocker of gastrin-releasing peptide, originally identified as a tumor growth inhibitor by researchers at the National Cancer Institute, attenuates multiple parameters of asthma with an overall effect that is stronger and longer lasting than that of corticosteroids.1 The compound was effective in two validated mouse asthmamodels, which is uncommon among drug classes marketed for the indication. The findings suggest that the peptide could be a new target for asthma, and the group is now working to elucidate the mechanism of its candidatecompound.
Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) regulates normal fetal lung development2,3 but also has bronchoconstrictive effects. Excessive levels of GRP have been associated with various inflammatory lung conditions in humans, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia in infants.4,5...