New treatments for asthma: From the pathogenic role of prostaglandin D2 to the therapeutic effects of fevipiprant

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a pleiotropic mediator, significantly involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 (T2) asthma because of its biologic actions exerted on both immune/inflammatory and airway structural cells. In particular, the pro-inflammatory and pro-remodelling effects of PGD2 are mainly mediated by stimulation of chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2). This receptor is the target of the oral competitive antagonist fevipiprant, which on the basis of recent phase II studies is emerging as a potential very promising anti-asthma drug. Indeed, fevipiprant appears to be safe and effective, especially in consideration of its ability to inhibit eosinophilic bronchial inflammation and improve forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Further ongoing phase III trials will definitely clarify if fevipiprant can prospectively become a valid option for an efficacious add-on treatment of moderate-to-severe T2-high asthma.