Leading Researchers Present Latest Findings In Asthma And Allergy, UK

Main Category: Allergy
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 21 Sep 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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International scientists and key opinion leaders in asthma and allergy research will be presenting their latest findings at King's College London at a symposium to showcase some of the most current developments in this field.

Asthma and Allergy- from mechanisms to biomarkers and therapeutic targets, highlights key areas of research such as airway inflammation and airway structure. The symposium also aims to review recent advances in the mechanisms of asthma and allergy, as well as discuss opportunities for future treatments for people with asthma. Researchers from the MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma will showcase their work as well share ideas with their European colleagues.

The MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma was created in 2005 to advance the understanding of the allergic mechanisms of asthma, as well as to inform the development of new, effective and targeted treatments. The Centre is a partnership between the Medical Research Council, Asthma UK, King's College London, Imperial College London and associated NHS Trusts.

The number of people with allergies in the UK has tripled in the last 20 years and one in three of us will develop an allergy at some point in our lives. There are 1 in 12 adults currently receiving treatment for asthma and we have amongst the highest rates for childhood asthma in the world, and the cost is high. Almost thirteen million working days are lost to the condition annually and the National Health Service spends around £889m treating asthma every year.

Asthma UK funds approximately £3 million per year of asthma research, including the work of Professor Brian Sutton who will present his research on how asthma and allergic reactions occur and potential ways to stop them. Asthma UK also funds Professor Tim Williams, Deputy Director of the MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, who aims to understand precisely how and why the lungs of people with asthma become inflamed, by studying the movement of inflammatory immune cells to the lungs. Such knowledge could lead directly to new treatments for asthma.

Professor Tak Lee, Director of Centre comments 'Asthma and allergies are very important and topical issues and we are leading on the latest research in this area of work. The symposium will provide informative and thought-provoking presentations to help us understand asthma and inform the development of effective and targeted treatments.'

Leanne Male, Asthma UK Assistant Director of Research says ' We are pleased to be supporting and funding several of the researchers presenting their work and hope that this forum to share vital knowledge and ideas about asthma and allergies will facilitate discussion aimed at improving the lives of more than 5 million people with asthma in the UK.'

1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.2 million people in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website http://www.asthma.org.uk.

2. Asthma UK is the major funder of asthma research in the UK. Each year we spend approximately £3 million on research which includes project grants, four fellows, and two professors.

3. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 08457 01 02 03. Or email an asthma nurse at asthma.org.uk/adviceline

4. The symposium is being sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis and Peprotech

http://www.asthma.org.uk.