Research advances in airway remodeling in asthma: a narrative review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Asthma is a common chronic disorder of the airway, and its disability and mortality rates continue to increase each year. Due to the lack of an ideal treatment, asthma control in China remains unsatisfactory. Airway remodeling is the pathological basis for the eventual development of the fixed airflow limitation in asthmatic patients. Early diagnosis and the prevention of airway remodeling has the potential to decrease disease severity, to improve control, and to prevent disease expression. METHODS: This article presents an overview. The literature was combed through via CNKi and PubMed according to the listed keywords. We considered Chinese and English original publications (basic science and clinical), reviews and abstracts of 21th Century. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: We review the pathological features and pathogenesis of, and the interventional treatment options for airway remodeling in asthmatic patients, emphasizing the importance of airway remodeling in asthma and providing novel insights into the prevention and control of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, there have been research advances in airway remodeling, especially in the areas of slowing down or reversing airway remodeling. As growing studies showed, treating airway remodeling is a promising strategy in preventing the occurrence and progression of asthma. Breakthroughs in these difficulties airway remodeling still facing will open up new avenues in the research and treatment of asthma.