Montelukast inhibits interleukin-5 mRNA expression and cysteinyl leukotriene production in ragweed and mite-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with asthma.

Important in the pathogenesis of asthma is the secretion of interleukin (IL)-5 by allergen-specific TH2 cells, which augments eosinophil functions, as well as subsequent synthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs). Montelukast is an inhibitor of CysLT and also has been shown to decrease eosinophil counts in peripheral blood and sputum of patients with asthma. This study was performed to investigate the in vitro effects of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, on CysLTs and IL-5 production and expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with ragweed (RW) and mite (M) allergens.

A preliminary retrospective treatment and pharmacoeconomic analysis of asthma care provided by allergists, immunologists, and primary care physicians in a teaching hospital.

Allergy immunology specialists (AIs) differ from primary care physicians (PCP) in their treatment of asthma. A limited retrospective chart review of several visits over a 1-year period in 1997 evaluating the quality of asthma care by AIs vs. PCPs was conducted in an academic center.